Agenda

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AIRPORTS COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	11/13/2019
Subject: Discuss the Airport Innovation and Business Attraction Program, Buchanan Field and Byron Airport
Submitted For:	Keith Freitas
Department:	Airports
Referral No.:
Referral Name:
Presenter:		Contact:

Information

Referral History:

On January 16, 2018, the Board of Supervisors (Board) ratified the execution of a Letter of Intent between the County and the California Department of Technology to partner in participating in the FAA sponsored UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP).

District III, District IV, and Public Works Department Airports staff continue to explore business opportunities with UAS companies. On October 8, 2018, 3DR conducted UAS pavement inspection testing at the Byron Airport. The test was successful and 3DR has requested that the County consider additional testing opportunities at Byron and Buchanan Field.

As discussed in the previous Airport Committee meeting, Airport Staff is working to create a program to proactively attract aviation innovation and technology businesses. The efforts have already attracted two aviation innovation companies to Buchanan Field. The Airport Committee requested a memorandum of the expected UAS operations at both Buchanan Field and Byron Airports over the next few years

Referral Update:

Keith Freitas created the memorandum outlining expected UAS operations at the Airports. It is expected that the majority of UAS operations at the Airports will be conducted by the Public Works Department-Airports Division. In order to facilitate those operations, Airport Operations staff is designing a UAS program to fit the Airports needs and Airport Administration Staff is working with the FAA to get approval for those operations. The benefits of the use of UAS by Airport Operations is that staff will become more familiar with the requirements necessary for UAS operations and therefore be better able to assist an aviation innovation and technology business in navigating the requirements.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

Discuss the Memorandum regarding Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations at County Airports. Discuss the Airport Innovation and Business Attraction Program, Buchanan Field and Byron Airport. Continue to work with various UAS entities to explore business and partnership opportunities.

Fiscal Impact (if any):

The fiscal impact has generally been limited to the Airport Enterprise Fund and associated with staff time.

Attachments
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Operations at County Airports