NEW CASTLE, DE — Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials announced April 7 that the agency’s airports, including New Castle Airport – ILG, Cape May County Airport – WWD, Millville Airport – MIV and Delaware Air Park – 33N, have been selected to participate in the test release of AirMap’s newly created Digital Notice and Awareness System™ (D-NAS). D-NAS™ allows UAS, or drone, operators to provide airports with real-time digital information about the location of their flights. Last week, AirMap, the world’s leading provider of airspace information and services for unmanned aircraft, and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), through the Airport Innovation Accelerator, announced the release of this new system.
“As the operator of four regional airports, and a member of AAAE, we’re pleased to be chosen to participate in the beta test of this new system,” said Stephen Williams, Director of Airports for the DRBA. “Safety is always our top priority. This groundbreaking program is a new tool that may help ensure that drones can operate safely in the national air space.”
D-NAS works by allowing a UAS operator to send an encrypted digital flight notice to a secure dashboard at an airport’s operations center. UAS operators can file digital flight notices by visiting AirMap.com, downloading the AirMap iOS app, or via the apps provided by leading drone manufacturers DJI, Yuneec, and 3DRobotics. These connections facilitate the transmission of important safety-critical information to airports, including the GPS location of the UAS flight. Participating airports will access this information through the AirMap D-NAS dashboard, which provides a map view of flights in proximity to the airport and the option to contact the UAS operator directly.
“With each passing day, more business segments recognize new beneficial applications of drone technology,” said Scott Green, Executive Director for the DRBA. “The Authority is already hosting UAS research and development at Cape May County Airport – WWD, and we are actively pursuing UAS uses for ourselves that may help safeguard our transportation infrastructure at the Delaware Memorial Bridge and Cape May – Lewes Ferry among other facilities. In all those activities, safety is paramount.”
Ben Marcus, CEO of AirMap and an airline transport rated pilot and flight instructor, noted “everyone involved in aviation sees the promise and potential of unmanned aircraft. However, we can’t reach the potential of this amazing technology unless we ensure that safety critical information keeps pace with innovation. We are focused on building the tools for unmanned aircraft to safely integrate into the national airspace system.”
More than 50 airports across America have already joined the D-NAS pilot program, including Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports, Denver International Airport, Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi, Charlotte-Douglas Airport in North Carolina, Reno-Tahoe Airport in Nevada, Fairbanks International Airport in Alaska, and the Oxnard and Camarillo Airports in Ventura County, California.
About the Delaware River and Bay Authority:
The DRBA, a bi-state governmental agency created by Compact in 1962, owns and operates the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May- Lewes Ferry, and the Forts Ferry Crossing. The DRBA also manages corporate and aviation properties through its economic development powers – two airports in New Jersey (Millville Airport and Cape May Airport) and three in Delaware (New Castle Airport, Civil Air Terminal and Delaware Airpark). All DRBA operating revenues are generated through the bridge, ferry and airport facilities. For more information, visit www.drba.net.
About AAAE:
Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world’s largest professional organization representing the men and women who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. AAAE’s 5,000-plus members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support the airport industry. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., AAAE serves its membership through results-oriented representation in Washington, D.C., and delivers a wide range of industry services and professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and a highly respected accreditation program. Created by AAAE in 2015, the Airport Innovation Accelerator is a community to explore, discuss, and launch innovation in airports.
About AirMap:
AirMap is the world’s leading provider of airspace information and services for unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones. Developed by experts in drone technology, aviation, and policy, AirMap’s cutting-edge technology transforms airspace below 500 feet to create an interconnected drone ecosystem. AirMap provides accurate, reliable, and trustworthy low-altitude navigational data and communication tools to the drone industry: inventors of drones & drone technology, drone operators, and airspace stakeholders. AirMap has a rapidly expanding global network of hundreds of partners and thousands of app users.
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