Domestic Drone Testing Coming to a State Near You

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/12/30-6



Testing is part of FAA plan to integrate thousands of drone into US airspace

Domestic Drone Testing Coming to a State Near You
- Sarah Lazare, staff writer
Published on Monday, December 30, 2013 by Common Dreams

Public institutions in six states have been selected to test commercial drones as part of a Federal Aviation Administration plan to integrate thousands of commercial drones into U.S. airspace, the agency announced Monday.

These testing sites will be run by publicly funded entities, including the University of Alaska, State of Nevada, New York’s Griffiss International Airport, North Dakota Department of Commerce, Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, and Virginia Tech.

The FAA has already permitted approximately 300 "public organizations" to fly drones, said FAA spokesperson Alison Duquette in an interview with Common Dreams. This includes drones used by law enforcement and Customs and Border Enforcement for the purpose of aerial surveillance.

Duquette said she would not disclose the numbers of drones in U.S. airspace armed with military grade weapons or spying capabilities.