The FAA has granted the New York Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Site at Griffiss International Airport a new civil authority to advance the research, development, and commercialization of drone operations, which will make it easier for the test site to accommodate larger drones testing commercial operations.

As a result of the NY test site Civil Flight Authority, the site “can now operate drones weighing under 300 pounds throughout New York’s 50-mile drone corridor and be compensated for operations,” says the announcement.

The New York UAS Test Site is one of only seven FAA-designated test sites: NY’s unique drone corridor and associated infrastructure makes the site appropriate for advanced operations.

“This new FAA designation removes some previous restrictions making it easier to test larger drones,” Picente said. “Our test site is already the global leader for UAS research and development, and now, we will be able to test more advanced operations and be financially compensated for it. This is great news for Oneida County, our partners at the Test Site and for the businesses and agencies who use our facility to advance the industry.”

The “Charlie Waiver”

Prior to the recent civil authority, or “Charlie Waiver,” the test site operated under a public aircraft operations authority, which allowed “research and development and other core governmental functions.” The new NY test civil flight authority covers New York’s 50-mile beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS corridor connecting Griffiss and Syracuse Hancock International airports, “opening the door for scalable, commercial operations.”

“NUAIR is focused on unlocking the drone economy for the state of New York,” said NUAIR CEO Ken Stewart. “This new civil authority will help draw more clients to the Test Site who are focused on commercial outcomes, and we look forward to helping them scale their operations.”

New York’s 50-mile UAS Corridor covers class G, E, D, and C airspace and is integrated with the air traffic control towers of both Griffiss and Syracuse Hancock International Airports, safely allowing both crewed and uncrewed aircraft to share airspace. The corridor draws global companies to the region to develop their UAS and advanced air mobility (AAM) operations.

“Commercial drones have so many societal benefits – from enhancing national security, to promoting efficiencies in the broader marketplace,” said Lisa Ellman, partner at Hogan Lovells LLP and Executive Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA). “Issuance of this new authority to the New York UAS Test Site not only bodes well for New York, but also helps accelerate the UAS and AAM industries as a whole.”

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