Buzzing Around the Mohawk Valley

Advanced technology is becoming a major player in the area. Steven DiMeo, President of Mohawk Valley EDGE, said, “we think the entire innovation strategy, which focuses on advanced electronics, unmanned aerial systems and cybersecurity are three pivotal strategic thrusts for the Mohawk Valley region.”

Griffiss International Airport (“Griffiss”) is the new hot spot for drone testing. Between Griffiss and Syracuse, New York there is a fifty (50) mile flight traffic management system that operates as a drone testing corridor.

Lawrence Brinker, Executive Director of the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, maintains that the corridor’s main purpose is for drone companies to experiment with the ability to fly drones beyond the visual line of sight (“VLS”) of the pilot. However, the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) restricts commercial and residential drones to be operated only within the remote pilot’s VLS, severely hindering the efficacy of drones as a commercial delivery system.

The drone testing corridor is lined with new technology, such as sensors on the ground that allow the remote pilot to receive feedback on the location of the drone without being able to see it.

With the implementation of this program and the growing interest of drone development the sky’s the limit in Oneida County. Contact Hage & Hage with any questions you have on drone law and applicable FAA Regulations.