December 13, 2016

JTRP and A3IR CORE Partner on FAA COA for UAS Operation in Class D Airspace

UAS Purdue Airport
Left: Purdue's Darcy Bullock, John Mott, Lucy Richardson, & Austin Decker INDOTs: Adam French & Marty Blake
Over the past year there has been a strong interest in using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for transportation research. JTRP and Advanced Aviation Analytics Institute for Research (A3IR CORE) have developed a partnership where A3IR CORE was awarded a Certificate of Operating Authority (COA) for operating in Class D airspace adjacent to the Purdue Airport.

Over the past year there has been a strong interest in using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for transportation research.

JTRP and Advanced Aviation Analytics Institute for Research (A3IR CORE) have developed a partnership where A3IR CORE was awarded a Certificate of Operating Authority (COA) for operating in Class D airspace adjacent to the Purdue Airport.  Purdue Polytechnic provides licensed pilots to manage required FAA paperwork, file a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), and serve as spotters.  The first UAS mission will focus on pavement condition assessment at the Purdue Airport and inspection of steel structures at the S-BRITE Center, which is located 0.3 miles south of the airport.

A link to some photos from the recent UAS operation can be found by clicking here:

http://tinyurl.com/JTRP-UAS-Operation