Unmanned Aircraft focus of Congressional Hearing at FAA Tech Center

By Phaedra Laird

EGG HARBOR TWP. –

A congressional hearing held at the FAA Technical Center Tuesday afternoon examined the important the role the facility plays in modernizing aviation.

The country’s core aviation research and development facility, the William J. Hughes FAA Technical Center hosted a field hearing of the U.S., House Aviation Subcommittee – to examine the facility’s role in NextGen – modernizing the country’s air traffic control system. “The goal is to ensure the Tech Center’s resources and expertise are being used in a way that makes the most sense,” said Subcommittee Chairman, Congressman Frank LoBiondo (R, 2nd District), who chaired Tuesday’s hearing that received testimony from FAA officials and industry experts.

“We are nearly complete with the foundation of NextGen,” said Michael Whitaker, FAA Deputy Administrator and Chief NextGen Officer, “this foundation includes much needed upgrade of the automated in air traffic control facilities and the building of ground stations to enable the transition from a radar-based to satellite-based system.”

NBC40.netThe title of the field hearing- “Modernizing the Aviation System” – wasn’t limited to just NextGen, but also the vital role it will play in the safe integration of unmanned aircraft (UAS) into the national airspace, something that will be worked on at the Tech Center. “ The FAA Tech Center will have a key role in helping collect, protect, analyze, interpret, and validate operational and safety data that will come available from the UAS test ranges established by the FAA,” LoBiondo said in his opening remarks. The facility is one of six sites that will serve as a test range.

“UAS increase human potential, allowing us to execute dangerous or difficult tasks safely and efficiently,” said Ben Gielow, with the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International during his testimony. “This technology has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs and tens of billions of dollars in economic impact.”

It’s technology that’s rapidly advancing and will require the types of systems the Tech Center is developing. “You need that level of technology if you’re going to introduce these new types of aircraft into the system,” explained Whitaker, “the UAS, you need to know where they are, they need to stay clear of each other, maintain separation and operate safely.”

A goal that they’re working to achieve through input like this.

“It’s important for us, the Aviation Committee, to be able to continue to understand what the challenges are, what the opportunity are, what the next steps are,” said LoBiondo, “and that’s why we integrate panels from both the private sector and from the government sector.”

http://www.nbc40.net/story/24947470/unmanned-aircraft-focus-of-congressional-hearing-at-faa-tech-center