FAA picks 6 states for drone testing sites

FAA picks 6 states for drone testing sites

By Blake Neff

December 30, 2013, 11:48 am

http://thehill.com/blogs/transportation-report/aviation/194135-faa-picks-6-states-for-drone-testing-sites

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Monday announced that it will create a network of testing sites across the U.S. for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), better known as “drones."

The testing sites, in Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia, will be a crucial step toward the commercial use of drones over U.S. airspace, which currently remains unauthorized. The FAA announced in November that it hopes to establish guidelines for commercial usage by the end of 2015.

Though currently a province of the military and law enforcement, both businesses and local governments have shown some interest in domestic drone usage. Most prominently, Internet retailer Amazon Inc. turned heads earlier this month when it announced tentative plans to deliver parcels to buyers via unmanned drones.

The six states chosen will allow the FAA to test across a wide variety of climates, and the New York site will look into safely incorporating drones into the crowded airspace of the Northeast.

Lawmakers from selected states were quick to praise the selections. Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) said the choice of Nevada would add jobs to his economically beleaguered state.

“Considering that Nevada continues to lead the nation in unemployment, the FAA’s decision is both welcome and well-timed. Nevada has long been a leader in UAS development and testing.”

Meanwhile, Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) said the site located at Grand Forks Air Force Base would make his state “the premier northern hub for unmanned aerial systems.” North Dakota’s legislature has already approved $5 million in funding for a new aerospace complex in Grand Forks that will be built around the test site.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta emphasized safety as a top priority in the agency's work to legalize drones and expressed confidence in their eventual success.

“We have successfully brought new technology into the nation’s aviation system for more than 50 years, and I have no doubt we will do the same with unmanned aircraft,” he said.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Michael P. Huerta is the administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and was the group president for Affiliated Computer Services Inc.

Note: Kurt R. Krauss was a director at the Affiliated Computer Services Inc., and a partner at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Booz Allen Hamilton is a contractor for the National Security Agency (NSA).

Edward Snowden leaked information about the National Security Agency (NSA), and was an employee for Booz Allen Hamilton.

Robert S. Osborne is the EVP & general counsel for Booz Allen Hamilton, and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

R. Eden Martin is the president of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and counsel at Sidley Austin LLP.

Kathryn B. Thomson was a partner at Sidley Austin LLP, counselor for Ray H. LaHood, is married to Christopher P. Lu, and the chief counsel for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Ray H. LaHood’s counselor was Kathryn B. Thomson, and is the transportation secretary for the Barack Obama administration.

Christopher P. Lu is married to Kathryn B. Thomson, the White House cabinet secretary for the Barack Obama administration, was Barack Obama’s legislative director, and a litigation associate for Sidley Austin LLP.

Michelle Obama was a lawyer at Sidley Austin LLP.

Barack Obama was an intern at Sidley Austin LLP.

Newton N. Minow is a senior counsel at Sidley Austin LLP, and a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago.

Commercial Club of Chicago, Members Directory A-Z (Past Research)

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

http://thesteadydrip.blogspot.com/2013/12/commercial-club-of-chicago-members.html

W. James McNerney Jr. is a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago, and the chairman & president & CEO for the Boeing Company.

Barbara G. Fast was a VP at the Boeing Company, and a VP for the CGI Group Inc.

CGI Group Inc. was the Obamacare contractor that developed Healthcare.gov web site.

Obamacare is Barack Obama’s signature policy initiative.

Donna S. Morea was the EVP for the CGI Group Inc., and a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development.

Foundation to Promote Open Society was a funder for the Committee for Economic Development, and the Center for American Progress.

George Soros is the chairman for the Foundation to Promote Open Society, and was a supporter for the Center for American Progress.

T. Allan McArtor is a trustee at the Committee for Economic Development, and was the administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Tom Daschle is a director at the Center for American Progress, married to Linda H. Daschle, and a 2008 Bilderberg conference participant (think tank).

Linda H. Daschle is married to Tom Daschle, was the deputy administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and a senior public policy adviser for Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell.

Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell was a lobby firm for the Boeing Company.