Test Sites As of 2013, the FAA had selected six UAS test sites in which to allow the agency to develop research findings and operational experiences to help ensure the safe integration of UAS into the NAS together with a system featuring NextGen technologies and procedures. The six test sites are: University of Alaska; State of Nevada; New York’s Griffiss International Airport; North Dakota Department of Commerce; Texas A&M University; and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) (FAA, 2013).
University of Alaska: The University of Alaska proposal contained a diverse set of test site range locations in seven climatic zones as well as geographic diversity with test site range locations in Hawaii and Oregon. The research plan included the development of a set of standards for UAS categories, state monitoring, and navigation. Alaska also plans to work on safety standards for UAS operations (FAA. 2013).
State of Nevada: Nevada’s project objectives concentrated on UAS standards and operations as well as operator standards and certification requirements. Their research will also include a concentrated look at how air traffic control procedures will evolve with the introduction of UAS into the civil environment and how these aircraft will be integrated with NextGen. Nevada’s selection contributes to geographic and climatic diversity (FAA, 2013).
New York’s Griffiss International Airport: Griffiss International plans to work on developing test and evaluation as well as verification and validation processes under FAA safety oversight. They also plan to focus their research on sense and avoid capabilities for UAS and their sites will aid in researching the complexities of integrating UAS into the congested, northeast airspace (FAA, 2013).
North Dakota Department of Commerce: North Dakota plans to develop UAS airworthiness essential data and validate high reliability link technology. They will also conduct human factors research. North Dakota’s application was the only one to offer a test range in the temperate (continental) climate zone and included a variety of different airspace that will benefit multiple users (FAA, 2013).
Texas A&M University: Located in Corpus Christi, Texas A&M plans to develop system safety requirements for UAS vehicles and operations with a goal of protocols and procedures for airworthiness testing. The selection of Texas A&M contributes to geographic and climatic diversity (FAA, 2013).
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech): Virginia Tech plans to conduct UAS failure mode testing and identify and evaluate operational and technical risk areas. This proposal includes test site range locations in both Virginia and New Jersey (FAA, 2013).
Data and other information related to the operation of UAS that is generated by the six test site operators will help the FAA answer key research questions such as solutions for “sense and avoid,” command and control, ground control station standards, and human factors, airworthiness, lost link procedures, and the interface with the air traffic control system. This data will help the FAA to develop regulations and operational procedures for future commercial and civil use of the NAS (FAA, 2013).
Centers of Excellence (COE) The goal of an FAA Center of Excellence (COE) for UAS is to focus on research, education, and training in areas critical to safe and successful integration of UAS into the nation’s airspace. There are several of these COEs selected from among the nation’s leading UAS and aviation universities that have a proven commitment to UAS research and development and the necessary resources to provide the matching contribution to the government’s investment. They are Drexel University; Embry Riddle Aeronautical University; Kansas State University; Kansas University; Mississippi State University; Montana State University; New Mexico State University; North Carolina State University; Oregon State University; University of Alabama, Huntsville; University of Alaska, Fairbanks; University of North Dakota; and Wichita State University (FAA, 2015f). The COE research areas are expected to evolve over time, but initially will include: detect and avoid technology; low-altitude operations safety; control and communications; spectrum management; human factors; compatibility with air traffic control operations; and training and certification of UAS pilots and other crewmembers, in addition to other areas. Congress appropriated $5 million for the five-year agreement with the COE, which will be matched one-for-one by the team members (FAA, 2015f).