Locals lobby for area to be picked as drone test site (Embry Riddle Aeronautical University)

[kayakjohnny]

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2012/05/11/locals-lobby-for-area-to-be-picked-as-drone-test-site.html

DAYTONA BEACH -- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University wants to make Florida one of only six test sites in the country that will study how to add unmanned aircraft into U.S. airspace by 2015.

"This is a statewide initiative," said Christine Frederick-Recascino, the university's vice president for research. "Embry-Riddle is absolutely lending its support to this proposal. We would benefit from it. The whole state would benefit from it."

Local leaders say Volusia County could play a major role in the testing and that the program could result in attracting companies and jobs here.

Space Florida, the state's aerospace economic development agency, is coordinating efforts to lure testing to the Sunshine State, Frederick-Rescascino said.

As of now, only a few unmanned aircraft are flying domestically, but the FAA estimates 10,000 new commercial drones could join air traffic by 2017.



All I can think of is:

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. They are not the only ones asking to be included