Elbit Systems has plans to use a drone to survey crops across the upper Midwest that can be used for research, analyzed, and sold to farmers. The project is a joint public-private partnership involving NDSU and UND.
Bob Miller chairs the Casselton Regional Airport Authority. He tells KFGO News, Elbit has conducted similar flights from the Hillsboro airport but has turned to Casselton because the Hillsboro airport is undergoing reconstruction and doesn’t have the type of taxi-way it needs to launch the unmanned aerial vehicles.
He says high level Elbit representatives first approached the Casselton group in December. This week, the regional airport approved the plan, with stipulations. At the top of the list is making sure the Federal Aviation Administration approves Elbit’s operational plan and that liabilty is covered by the company should there be an accident or other issues.
Miller says aerial crop sprayers don’t like the plan because it would interfere with their operations at times. Miller says the F.A.A. made it clear the airport authority had no choice in the matter because the airport receives federal grants that could be revoked should it reject Elbit’s plan.
Elbit wants to lease hanger space for the large drone it flies, and install equipment it needs to fly the UAV. Under F.A.A rules, a chase plane will be required to provide visual supervision when the drone flies. The company would have 9 employees based in Casselton during the months the flights are made. Lease costs are still being negotiated. Miller says Elbit wants the deal sealed by the end of this month.
Photo: Elbit Systems Hermes 450 is towed out of a hangar at the Hillsboro, ND airport on Friday, May 20, 2016, before its first flight to collect agriculture data. (AP Photo/Dave Kolpack)
Source: KFGO