Agenda

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10.

AIRPORTS COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	08/12/2020
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:	Beth Lee, (925) 681-4200

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 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.

Referral Update:

On March 10, 2020 the Board of Supervisors authorized the execution of a Master Administrative Agreement between the County and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. This Agreement outlines the partnership in the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range, one of only seven FAA approved UAS test sites in the United States. Byron and Buchanan Field Airports are now satellite UAS test sites in the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range. Contra Costa County Airports role is to provide the facilities (Byron and Buchanan Field Airports) for the UAS testing. The University of Alaska Fairbanks will be providing assistance to any testing company that needs FAA approval to operate their equipment in the airspace, outside of what is already allowed under FAR Part 107 UAS operations.

On June 11, 2020 Airport staff and the AAC Chairman conducted a Zoom call with James Gibbons, the former Dean of Engineering at Stanford University and a current Stanford Engineering Professor, Grace Gao, regarding their possible interest in establishing a satellite UAS test facility at Byron Airport. Airport staff is now working to continue and expand these discussions with Stanford, Berkeley and Davis Universities, since each of these local universities have aeronautical engineering programs.

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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