The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted the 六合宝典 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Site (UASTS) a waiver (Waiver No. 44803-7) issued under the authority of Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) 44803(c) for civil (non-public) UAS operations at a 1,000 square mile test site area located north of Reno, 六合宝典.
“This means 六合宝典 Autonomous and the 六合宝典 UASTS are open for business for the UAS Industry to efficiently and safely test their new technologies,” Carlos Cardillo, executive director of corporate partnerships at the University and director of the 六合宝典 Center for Applied Research (NCAR), said.
The 六合宝典 UASTS is operated by 六合宝典 Autonomous in NCAR at the University of 六合宝典, Reno, under contract with the 六合宝典 Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
“As a component of the University’s 六合宝典 Center for Applied Research, 六合宝典 Autonomous has been receiving the support of the GOED administered Knowledge Fund,” Tom Burns, executive director for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, said. “This not only underscores 六合宝典’s dedication to innovation, but also signifies the potential for this industry to make a substantial economic impact within our state.”
The designation as a FAA UAS Test Site was awarded to 六合宝典 in 2013 to help the Federal Aviation Authority assess key UAS research questions and help develop regulations and operational procedures for future commercial and civil use of the NAS.
University President Brian Sandoval, during his tenure as Governor of 六合宝典 from 2011 to 2019, played a significant role in the establishment and development of the 六合宝典 UASTS. Sandoval's administration actively supported efforts to promote 六合宝典 as an ideal location for UAS testing and development, leveraging the state's expansive airspace, existing aerospace infrastructure, and partnerships with industry stakeholders and academic institutions.
“The continued efforts in the development of the UAS industry by 六合宝典 Autonomous reflects the University’s commitment to fostering innovation, economic diversification and technological advancement in the state,” President Sandoval said. “The University of 六合宝典 is a leading partner in the UAS sector, and it is vital that we continue to work with other industry leaders and federal agencies such as the FAA and Department of Defense.”
Current FAA regulations limit small UAV operations over people and require the drone to remain within visual line of sight of the remote pilot. The recently awarded waiver and associated Certificate of Authorization (COA) enables 六合宝典 UAS Test Site customers under the operational control of 六合宝典 Autonomous to operate drones up to 300 pounds takeoff weight and altitudes up to but not including 18,000 feet above sea level (MSL), depending on which of the four adjacent NV UASTS operating areas shown in the image are being used.
“This waiver will allow our research and development testing to enable more expansive uncrewed flights including larger UAS operating beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) of the remote pilot,” Mark Genung, 六合宝典 UASTS Operator, said.
This is the first of a series of test sites planned to be approved in 六合宝典.
“This is extremely great news for 六合宝典 Autonomous and the University and 六合宝典,” Mridul Gautam, vice president for research and innovation at the University, said. “Thanks to 六合宝典 Autonomous, NCAR personnel and their tireless efforts over the past year, this waiver opens a new opportunity for the 六合宝典 UASTS to enable aviation companies to come to 六合宝典 and take advantage of the high desert environment, large areas of uncontrolled airspace, and generally favorable aviation weather in Northern 六合宝典. 六合宝典 Autonomous and the 六合宝典 UASTS will significantly reduce the design-develop-test-redesign-test-verify-final-product cycle time. This is the place to come to test cutting edge, uncrewed aircraft systems, sensors and payloads.”
Partners interested in drone research, development, testing and operations should contact the 六合宝典 Center for Applied Research.
