ERAU to Explore UAS Testing

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)-Daytona Beach is working with Volusia County to establish a UAS operation framework, which would support the anticipated growth of the unmanned market, integration of UAS into the national airspace, and consideration to be one of six UAS testing sites nationwide (Gant, 2012; Sanford, 2012; Tracy, 2012).  This agreement would provide a path forward for obtaining an FAA Special Certificate of Authorization for routine flight operations (Gant, 2012).  The initial UAS proposed under the agreement is a small UAS (SUAS), featuring electric propulsion capable of 20 to 30 minute flight durations (County council to consider Embry Riddle Drone Testing, 2012). Considering the initiation of the UAS major this fall at ERAU (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2012) and their involvement in unmanned research & development (R&D; Circelli, 2012), this agreement represents an important step to establish the University as a foundational institution for unmanned research, education, training, and operation.

Full disclosure: I am an alumnus of ERAU (BS Aerospace Studies 2000/MS Aeronautical Science 2005) with continuing ties to the University.

REFERENCES
Circelli, D. (2012, June). ERAU advancing the science behind drones. Daytona News-Journal. Retrieved from http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2011/07/26/erau-advancing-the-science-behind-drones.html

County council to consider Embry Riddle Drone Testing. (2012, July). News Daytona Beach. Retrieved from http://www.newsdaytonabeach.com/Radio/WNDB/WNDB-Latest/County-Council-To-Consider-Embry-Riddle-Drone-Testing.html

eagleNEWS. (2012). Team_awesome.jpg [Image File]. Retrieved from http://www.eraualumni.org/s/867/images/editor/eaglenews/june_2012/team_awesome.jpg

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. (2010, Feb). Embry-Riddle to train unmanned aircraft pilots [News Release]. Daytona Beach, FL: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Retrieved from http://www.erau.edu/er/newsmedia/newsreleases/2010/uasminor.html

Gant, A. (2012, July). Volusia County, Embry-Riddle consider testing unmanned aircraft. Daytona News-Journal. Retrieved from http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2012/07/09/volusia-county-embry-riddle-consider-testing-unmanned-aircraft.html

Sanford, B. (2012, June). Unmanned aircraft systems market to hit $51 billion by 2018 says report. ReportBuyer. Retrieved from http://meshpress.com/unmanned-aircraft-systems-market-to-hit-51-billion-by-2018-says-report/123854.html%20

Tracy, D. (2012, June). Drones could soon be flying in Florida skies. OrlandoSentinel.com. Retrieved from http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-03/news/os-unmanned-drones-florida-future-20120603_1_drone-industry-faa-law-space-florida