University of Alaska receives FAA approval to begin drone test flights

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorised the University of Alaska to start test flights of unmanned aircraft, as part of a study to integrate drones into US air space.

In December last year, the university was selected as one of the six test sites, and has now become the second of those sites to become operational.

The FAA has granted a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA), authorising flights by an Aeryon Scout small UAS for animal surveys at the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex in Fairbanks.

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said that Alaska has a history of innovation in aviation.

"We look forward to the contributions they and the other test sites will make toward our efforts to ensure the safe and efficient integration of UAS into our nation’s skies," Foxx said.

Flights are currently being conducted at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Large Animal Research Station (LARS).

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said: "The University of Alaska Fairbanks programme is important because it includes a diverse set of test site range locations in seven climatic zones, so it will give us a wealth of data to help develop appropriate safety regulations and standards."

The site will gather safety-related operational information required for UAS integration.

In addition, the flights will evaluate procedures for coordination with air traffic controllers, as well as the type and frequency of operational data provided to them to help the FAA analyse current processes for establishing small UAS airworthiness and system maturity.

The Alaska UAS flights will also verify the capabilities of the Aeryon Scout and its sensors, eventually leading to wildlife survey operations at multiple locations in Alaska.

The FAA is currently working with the six test sites to guide their research programmes to facilitate the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace over the next several years.