Agenda

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AIRPORTS COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	03/09/2022
Subject: Discuss the Bay Area Test Site (BATS) 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.

Airport staff has initiated discussions with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range to develop a standing Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the FAA which would expedite UAS testing at the Byron Airport. One of the UAS testing companies (Mighty Fly) will partner with the County in developing the UAS test range parameters.

XWing, based at Buchanan Field, continues to make national news with their recent partnership with Textron (Cessna Aircraft). Earlier this year they received $40 million in venture capital investment. XWing’s recent partnership with Textron includes a joint venture to market a fully autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan cargo aircraft. FedEx currently operates approximately 250 Cessna Caravan aircraft and are in the process of purchasing more aircraft. These types of aircraft are used by many companies to move cargo all over the world.

Referral Update:

The Byron Airport University of Alaska test range was stood up on February 10, 2022, per the rules of the Certificate of Authorization (COA) that is valid from January 14, 2022, to January 13, 2023. The COA specifically refers to the operations of two companies Volansi and Rain, to be conducted under the parameters of the COA. Additionally, all small UAS are also permitted to operate under the COA. The BATS standard operating procedures are being adjusted to reflect the growth from the original test area to the full COA. There are basically going to be two types of testing going on at Byron now with small UAS using the test range and large UAS operating under the University of Alaska COA or potentially COAs that companies have themselves. Additional companies that want to operate under the University of Alaska COA will be added to the COA as needed. Two other companies have already expressed interest in being added.

The Urban Air Mobility (UAM) development is in the process of building three hangars. These hangars have been reserved for Kitty Hawk and Volansi (two hangars). Rain has procured a hangar for rental that was available from a third party. There are currently five UAS companies renting space at Byron Airport even though some have not tested yet.

Additionally, X-Wing is now going to required to test at airports other than Buchanan due to a decision by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so we are working with them to determine if Byron is a fit and where they can locate needed equipment. They will continue to be a tenant at Buchanan. Birdstop is now located at Buchanan (started as a tenant of Byron Airport) in the first successful transition of airspaces that was envisioned when the BATS program started.

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 been limited to the Airport Enterprise Fund and associated with staff time.

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