CRAMER: NORTHERN PLAINS TEST SITE GETS APPROVAL FOR BEYOND-LINE-OF-SIGHT UAS ABILITY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Cramer commended the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announcement approving a two-year certificate of authorization (COA) for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site to fly unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) beyond-line-of-sight.

The historic FAA approval allows test site operators greater flexibility to test drones by permitting large UAS to fly 30 nautical miles of beyond-line-of-sight flight without a chase plane. Cramer has been working on strengthening UAS ability to fly beyond line sight, at night, and above people. He included an amendment in the House FAA Reauthorization Act to increase spectrum which is used for air to ground control of drones.

In order to have a secure, safe connection from the ground control station to the UAS for operations beyond visual line of sight, a UAS pilot needs to operate on licensed spectrum.

“The FAA’s decision ensures Grand Sky remains at the forefront of UAS development,” said Cramer. “It will be a deciding factor for UAS companies like General Atomics to expand their footprint in Grand Forks and North Dakota. I will continue to work with my colleagues, local officials, and the Administration to support UAS development in the area.”  

Earlier this year Cramer joined Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Deputy Secretary Jeffrey Rosen at the U.S. Department of Transportation. They announced North Dakota as one of the participants in a three-year Drone Integration Pilot Program.

Later this month, General Atomics will hold a demonstration at Grand Sky with U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson, as announced by Senator John Hoeven.

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