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AIRPORTS COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	06/09/2021
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. Airport staff continue to receive multiple requests for testing at Byron and Buchanan Field Airports. The companies include Wing, Kitty Hawk, Matternet, Rain, AEye, Essential Aero, Buoyant Technology, and Neural Propulsion Systems.

Nick Adkin and James Parrish with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range toured the Byron Airport on May 25, 2021. They had planned to visit their new UAS test site partner in 2020, but due to the pandemic the trip was delayed. Additionally, the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range has updated their website and now includes Buchanan Field and Byron Airports listed as a partner satellite UAS test site.

On April 15, 2021, XWing in their Cessna Grand Caravan performed the first fully autonomous gate to gate demonstration of a commercial cargo aircraft at Buchanan Field Airport. The Cessna Caravan conducted a flight that had it leave the gate, taxi, take-off, land and return to the gate entirely on its own. The most recent round of funding, now totaling $55 million, brings the company value to $400 million. This growth in their business has also lead to them looking for additional hangar and office space. The company is now looking for aircraft parking for three Cessna Caravans and 40-50 employees.

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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