Push for UAV testing in Ohio

DAYTON, Ohio (Dayton Business Journal) - Ohio lawmakers are joining the fight to bring UAV jobs to the state.

On Tuesday, the Ohio Senate passed a resolution urging the Federal Aviation Administration to choose Ohio as a test site for the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly known as UAVs, into the National Airspace System. The FAA is required to select six test ranges for the integration of UAS into the National Airspace System.

Currently, UAV flight tests can be done locally, but only under heavily restricted conditions set by the FAA. If the Dayton area is selected as one of a handful of national testing sites, UAV builders are expected to follow. The UAV industry would not only bring jobs to the Dayton region, but just as significant, would offer a deep well of spin-off work for existing local companies.

Ohio lawmakers are joining the fight to bring UAV jobs to the state.

On Tuesday, the Ohio Senate passed a resolution urging the Federal Aviation Administration to choose Ohio as a test site for the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems, commonly known as UAVs, into the National Airspace System. The FAA is required to select six test ranges for the integration of UAS into the National Airspace System.

Currently, UAV flight tests can be done locally, but only under heavily restricted conditions set by the FAA. If the Dayton area is selected as one of a handful of national testing sites, UAV builders are expected to follow. The UAV industry would not only bring jobs to the Dayton region, but just as significant, would offer a deep well of spin-off work for existing local companies.