UAS

Unmanned Aircraft Systems           
UAS is the unmanned aircraft and all of the associated support  equipment, control
 station, data links, telemetry, communications and navigation equipment
 necessary to  operate the unmanned aircraft.   Source:  FAA

Background
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been used primarily by the military for many years.  As this emerging technology develops, UAS activity is on the rise with benefits expected through a variety of civilian and commercial applications. In 2012, federal legislation required the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to safely integrate UAS into the National Air Space by September 2015. In December 2013, the FAA announced the selection of the six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems research and test sites around the country. 

"These congressionally-mandated test sites will conduct critical research into the certification and operational requirements necessary to safely integrate UAS into the national airspace over the next several years. Texas A & M Univeristy, Corpus Christi was selected as one of  the six sites and plans to develop system safey requirements for UAS vehicles and operations with a goal of protocols and procedures for airworthiness testing."   Source:  FAA Press Release 

In February of 2012, NCTCOG staff published the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Report, a product of the  Regional General Aviation  and Heliport System Plan. 

UAS Task Force
The North Central Texas Council of Governments has convened the North Texas Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Safety and Integration Task Force to help mitigate reckless UAS operation and promote the safe integration of UAS technology into the DFW regional airspace.  The Task Force is comprised of public-sector representatives at the federal, state, and local levels as well as private-sector representatives from the Aviation and UAS Industries, Academia, Military, and others. 

UAS Task Force Meetings

Staff Contacts:  Ernest Huffman, Natalie Bettger