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AIRPORTS COMMITTEE

Meeting Date:	09/14/2022
Subject: Update on Bay Area test Site (BATS) activity, Buchanan Field and Byron Airport
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 continues 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:

Airports staff continues to market the Bay Area Test Site (BATS) program for UAS and AI opportunities at Buchanan Field and Byron Airports. Staff also continues to receive multiple requests for testing at both airports by those seeking to advance their respective technology. Most recently, companies such as Rain and Elroy Air expressed interest in, and are preparing to test at Byron Airport. Because each operator has different needs, including the desire for exclusive runway use, Airport Staff is working closely with each entity to best meet their needs while maintaining airport safety and operational considerations.
Birdstop, the startup company that began testing at Byron and relocated to Buchanan, made a presentation to the Aviation Advisory Committee during the July meeting explaining their company’s vision and their progress towards FAA certification efforts.

X-Wing, 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. X-Wing’s recent partnership with Textron includes a joint venture to market a fully autonomous Cessna Grand Caravan cargo aircraft. Airports staff anticipates meeting with X-Wing in the near future about their long-term plans at Buchanan Field.

Recommendation(s)/Next Step(s):

Discuss the BATS program at 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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