Yavapai County Supervisor Tom Thurman discusses UAS

Press

Responding to public comments made at recent meetings of the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, Board Chairman Thomas Thurman has released a statement regarding the status of proposals by Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University regarding the establishment of programs to train students in the function and operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

“Statements made during the public-comment portion of recent Board meetings seem to be based upon a misunderstanding of the County’s current involvement with UAV programs, ” Thurman said. “In November, the Board tentatively approved a Memorandum of Understanding involving a UAV program, but since the MOU did not fully address certain issues, the Board conditioned its approval on resolution of the outstanding items and a final review by the Board’s legal counsel. During subsequent discussions, County staff was advised that the terms of the original MOU were not in compliance with applicable federal regulations.” Thurman added that “Since the MOU, as drafted, failed to satisfy the Board’s conditions for final approval, it never took effect. Neither party was ever bound by its terms.