Drone Test from CG Training Center First Time in National Airspace

CAPE MAY – With the loud whoosh of a compressed air catapult, the RS-16 UAS (unmanned air system) drone was launched into the sky from an inactive airstrip at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Jan. 30. County government and Coast Guard officials were on hand to witness the hour-long test flight to support what is hoped to be the beginning of a new technology driven economic boost to all of Cape May County.
This test flight was one of a series of research flights to be conducted by American Aerospace Advisors which was contracted to conduct these flights by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).
American Aerospace representative David Yoel provided a pre-launch briefing that described the parameters of the day’s test flight. He stated that the UAS is flying a prescribed grid pattern that records the terrain from an altitude of about 3,000 feet for mapping purposes. The “belly” camera live streams the real-time video of the terrain to the command center.
The drone will provide unprecedented real-time images of conditions on the ground and assist the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) response to either manmade or natural disasters.
County OEM representatives were impressed with the quality of images and the application of this technology to emergency response situations on the ground.
The RS-16 is capable of speeds up to 65 mph, and can operate to a ceiling of 15,000 feet for as long as 12 – 16 hours, although the FAA has not yet authorized this vehicle to exceed 3,000 feet at the present.
The aircraft weighs 85 pounds and features a 13-foot wingspan. It can carry a 25-pound payload consisting of cameras and other electronics such as a tail camera that provides the pilot with the “situational awareness” needed to fly the craft remotely. Two licensed pilots are required to be on site for testing.
According to the institution’s website, NJIT was the first New Jersey institution to receive a Certificate of Waiver/Authorization (COA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct UAS test flights in national airspace and will be the first to test them.
Professor Michael Chumer of NJIT was present as mission director. Chumer stated that he “sees tremendous economic benefits to the area as a center for research and development.” He described the local air space and geographical layout of southern Cape May County as perfect for testing because “the research lab for this project includes all the airspace in the region, as well as the planned facility to be located at the Cape May County Airport.”
Chumer is confident that the research facility will be at least partially located at the airport within about a month. He cited the support this project has received from municipalities and Cape May County government as encouraging as well.
Chumer also noted that there are many regulatory hurdles and policies that need to be developed to ensure that the commercial and government use of UAS technology is properly regulated and that the technology is properly and safety integrated into public airspace.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.