On August 7, 2014, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the fifth of six test sites chosen for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) has been deemed operational.
The FAA granted Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York a two-year Certificate Waiver or Authorization to use a PrecisionHawk Lancaster Platform UAS.
In addition to providing information about UAS , research at the Griffiss test site will evaluate methods for scouting agricultural fields using different types of sensors, including visual, thermal, and multispectral equipment. The research will benefit farmers regionally and nationally by enhancing current methods of monitoring crops and providing additional information for continuing field research efforts.
The Griffiss site’s specific UAS projects include the detection of insects, weeds, diseases, crop characteristics, crop biomass, and background soil characteristics in two farm fields. Flights will take place at or below 400 feet, and will last up to 60 minutes from takeoff to landing. The flights will be repeated as needed to take geospatially-referenced imagery as part of the agricultural research. Eventually, the site will also manage unmanned agricultural research flights from Joint Base Cape Cod in Massachusetts.
The FAA announcement can be foundhere.
For more information, please contact Ronce Almond, Arielle Pacer or Donald Mayer at (202) 457-7790.