Agenda

Back to Calendar Return

AIRPORTS COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	09/08/2021
Subject: Discuss the Airport Innovation and Business Attraction Program, Buchanan Field and Byron Airport
Submitted For:	AIRPORTS COMMITTEE
Department:	Airports
Referral No.:
Referral Name:	Discuss the Airport Innovation and Business Attraction Program, Buchanan Field and Byron Airport
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 Aircraft 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 Artificial Intelligence (AI) opportunities at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports. Airport staff continue to receive multiple requests for testing at Byron and Buchanan Field Airports. Most recent companies expressing interest in conducting testing at Byron Airport include UAS Hive, Skycart, and Mighty Fly Inc.

Airport staff is in discussions with 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.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

Staff recommends that the Airport Committee take action to support working with the University of Alaska to establish one or more FAA approved COA at Byron Airport that would be presented to the full Board for consideration.

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.

Attachments
No file(s) attached.