Washington, D.C. – Last week, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, announced the selection of The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma as one of two new test sites for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Choctaw Nation is one of the first new UAS testing grounds in nearly a decade.  

In 2024, Senator Mullin’s amendment, #1944, to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act directed the FAA to allow non-legacy Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) sites, like the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, 44803c waiver eligibility among other provisions for the state. This amendment allowed Choctaw Nation to become eligible to apply and ultimately be selected.   

“Choctaw Nation is an excellent addition to the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) test sites that support the FAA in integrating UAS into the national airspace system (NAS),” said Senator Mullin. “I’m glad my amendment in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization to allow non-legacy UAS testing sites such as the Choctaw Nation the ability to apply for a Charlie waiver to permit commercial drone airspace testing authority has come full circle to this moment. Oklahoma and Indian country continue to be the premiere location for innovative and modern technologies that fully support our mission of bringing America into the Golden Age of Transportation.”

“From delivering lifesaving medicine to surveying pipelines, drones are already reshaping industries and changing how people and products interact. It’s our job to make sure the United States safely leads the way with this exciting technology – not China,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. 

“We’ve added these new test sites to help us gather critical data and test new systems so we can safely unleash innovation in our skies.” “These test sites help the U.S. assess emerging technologies to modernize methods for cargo delivery, Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations and multiple drone operations while informing safety and security,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “Together, we will usher in the safe commercialization of drone technologies and fully integrate UAS into our NAS.” 

“The Trump Administration is ensuring Indian country doesn’t get left behind in its efforts to bring in the Golden Age of Transportation. These new technologies can save lives on reservations with useful practices including the transportation of medical supplies to far reaching corners of these tribal lands. Under President Trump and Secretary Duffy, USDOT is redefining how transportation shapes the daily lives of Americans,” said Assistant Secretary of Tribal Government Affairs James A. Crawford. 

Background:

• The FAA Reauthorization of 2012 was the first time the FAA was directed to integrate UAS into the National Airspace System (NAS) by creating a 5-year program that established six UAS testing sites, which became operational in 2014.
• The FAA Extension, Safety and Security Act of 2016 (FESSA 2016) added a seventh legacy test site with final locations in NY, NM, ND, NV, TX, AK, and VA.
• In 2017, the FAA established the UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP) that provided the opportunity for additional state, local, and tribal governments to collaborate with companies and the FAA to facilitate complex drone operations and move UAS policy forward.
• The FAA Reauthorization of 2018 built on the IPP by establishing the 44803(c) waiver (also known as the Charlie Waiver) application process that provided eligible UAS test sites the opportunity to apply for civil (private and commercial) drone airspace testing authority.
• This waiver allows testing sites the ability to assess the safety and airworthiness of a customer’s aircraft operations for unmanned aircrafts weighing under 300 lbs.
• Prior to Senator Mullin’s amendment, only legacy sites could apply for the waiver.

 For additional information on the UAS Test Site Program, click here. 

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