U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced\nthe three-year Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP)\nsuccessfully concluded on Oct. 25. The nine state, local and tribal governments\nthat participated in the program have signed new agreements with the Federal\nAviation Administration (FAA) to continue to tackle remaining UAS integration\nchallenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe three years of information gathered under the drone\nIntegration Pilot Program will be applied to a new initiative called BEYOND,\nwhich will further advance the safe integration of drones into our national\nspace,\u201d said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe IPP propelled the American drone industry forward,\nallowing for unprecedented expansions in testing and operations through\ninnovative private-public partnerships across the country. Now, the BEYOND\nprogram will build upon this success, tackling the next big challenges facing\ndrone integration. The Trump Administration remains committed to the safe and\ninnovative development of drone technologies for the benefit of the American\npeople,\u201d said U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Presidential Memorandum launched the IPP in October 2017,\nsetting off a competitive selection process from 149 applicants. Using\ninnovative strategies, the IPP participants and their industry partners crafted\nsuccessful safety cases to operate under the FAA\u2019s existing regulations.\nParticipants used the regulations to conduct package delivery, inspect\npipelines and power lines, assess flood damage, count cattle, respond to 911\ncalls, inspect aircraft and many other missions. The data from these flights\nhas informed ongoing rulemaking, policy and guidance, and will continue to\nsupport future efforts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt the onset of the public health emergency, many of the\nIPP participants were able to pivot from their original missions to support the\nCOVID-19 response and recovery, demonstrating the increasing value of drone\noperations in this new environment,\u201d said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eight of the nine participants selected for IPP will\nparticipate in BEYOND, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n