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AIRPORTS COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	03/10/2021
Subject: Discuss the Airport Innovation and Business Attraction Program, Buchanan Field and Byron Airport
Submitted For:	AIRPORTS COMMITTEE
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 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP). District III, District IV, and Public Works Department – Airports staff continue to explore business opportunities with UAS companies. On March 10, 2020, the Board authorized a Master Administrative Agreement with the University of Alaska Fairbanks to establish a partnership through which Buchanan Field and Byron airports will be included in the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex.

Referral Update:

Airport staff continues to market UAS and AI opportunities at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports. Most recently, the Airports Division signed hangar and UAS Use Agreements with Wing, Buoyant Technologies and Birdstop for space and testing at Byron Airport. Additionally, Kitty Hawk has leased hangar space with the new Urban Air Mobility development.

Airport staff has had initial discussions with Rain, Matternet and AEye to conduct testing at Byron Airport.

XWing and Volansi continue to do well at Buchanan Field Airport. XWing is gearing up for a news media event with CBS News Sunday Morning, which plans to highlight their autonomous flying technology.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

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.

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