24 June 2014 



GRAND FORKS, ND – Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) will have important
benefits for North Dakota’s farmers, first responders and overall
economy, according to elected officials and industry leaders speaking at
a press conference today. In advance of the 8th Annual UAS Action
Summit, the Red River Valley Research Corridor, the Association for
Unmanned Systems International (AUVSI) and Grand Forks Sheriff’s
Department hosted a media briefing and flight demonstration highlighting
the many benefits UAS offer to public safety agencies. Lieutenant
Governor Drew Wrigley, Director of the University of North Dakota’s UAS
Center Al Palmer, and Michael Toscano, president & CEO of AUVSI
joined to congratulate North Dakota for its leadership in the UAS
industry and to underscore the potential impact of this technology.

 

“Our state has long been a pioneer in this technology, from the
University of North Dakota offering the first degree in UAS, to now
hosting one of six UAS test sites for the FAA,” said Palmer. “Because of
the work of the Grand Forks Sheriff’s Department, University of North
Dakota, Northern Plains UAS Test Site and Red River Valley Research
Corridor, North Dakota is poised to benefit tremendously from this
technology and continue to be a leader in the field for years to come.”

 

As a national leader in UAS advancement, North Dakota is positioned to
benefit from the growth of this industry once UAS are integrated into
the national airspace. An AUVSI study released last year projected an
$83 million economic impact in North Dakota in the decade following
integration. The industry will also have an impact nationwide, creating a
projected $82 billion impact and 100,000 jobs nationwide.

 

“Whether it is helping a farmer survey his fields, performing pipeline
inspections for a gas company, or keeping first responders safe, UAS are
a valuable tool that can help save time, save money, and save lives,”
said Toscano. “In addition, as an FAA test site, North Dakota is playing
an important role in the integration process, and the research done
here will help ensure that UAS are able to be safely integrated into the
national airspace.”

 

In December of 2013, North Dakota was announced as one of the six FAA
UAS test sites that will participate in research as part of the
integration process. In April of this year, the test site became
operational and has already begun flights.

 

"We are very proud of our region's accomplishments in UAS and look
forward to working with the FAA to help solve the complicated technical
and procedural challenges required to safely integrate unmanned aircraft
into our national airspace system,” said Robert Becklund, director of
the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. “It is an exciting time in history
and we are equally excited to be able to play such a significant role in
this new age in aviation.”