FAA Slow to Approve Airspace, Cites Concerns Over Potential Collisions With Civilian Aircraft

While anyone who has served in the military is familiar with the old adage of "Hurry up and wait," Air Force officials are becoming somewhat impatient with the FAA. According to a story produced by Minnesota Public Radio, military officials say they need approval for restricted training airspace for a planned unmanned aircraft base in Grand Forks, but according to the story, the FAA says it's not ready to establish such an airspace in North Dakota.

The Air Force says 35 percent of all aircraft ordered by the military in the next five years will be piloted from the ground by remote control.

The Associated Press reports the plan for the new base is to open a 35-mile by 45-mile airspace box near Devils Lake, which is approximately 85 miles from Grand Forks. Currently, UAVs fly primarily in restricted U.S. airspace, away from civilian airplanes, helicopters and hot air balloons. The Associated Press also reports that "in addition to the military use, drones will be flown in the area by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and University of North Dakota aerospace school."

Two unmanned planes, the Predator and the Global Hawk, will be stationed at the new facility. 

 
MQ-1 Predator UAV File Photo

MPR reports that, at a field hearing in Grand Forks Monday morning, Sen. Byron Dorgan, (D-ND) criticized both the Pentagon and the FAA for moving too slowly. "There's no excuse for them not meeting time lines to find a way to make certain that where you have decided to locate unmanned aerial vehicles, you've also created the opportunity for training for the [unmanned aerial vehicles] and their crews," Dorgan said.

Brigadier General Leon Rice said demand for what the military calls remotely-piloted aircraft is outpacing the ability to train crews.

Global Hawk File Photo

"Really our limiting factor now is the training airspace for the crews themselves," Rice said. "We have six RPA platforms, Predators, in the state right now in boxes, waiting to be opened up and put into the sky."

The article goes on to explain that "unmanned aircraft can't be flown in the U.S. except in cases where the FAA approves a conditional waiver."

Military brass however, say a waiver won't meet their needs, only a dedicated operating area will do the job.

But while the military cites example after example of its competency with UAVs, reports indicate the FAA is has concerns about the ability of the remotely controlled aircraft to avoid collisions with civilian aircraft, said Hank Krakowski, head of the FAA's air traffic arm, in the Minnesota Public Radio story.

"You know, we have to do this deliberatively," continued. "These are unusual vehicles to enter in to the national airspace system; they were designed for typically the war theater."

Krakowski said the FAA needs support of the Airline Pilots Association and the general aviation industry before opening airspace to unmanned aircraft. To not do that is a terrible waste of taxpayers money, it diminishes our defense capability and just doesn't make any sense," he said.

A statement on the North Dakota Pilot's Association Web site dated September 9th, expressed the organization's concern for the restricted airspace.

"As we in North Dakota know, unmanned aircraft cannot fly in the regular national airspace system.  Restricted airspace must be created for them to fly which places an unacceptable burden on all other users of our valuable airspace.  The Air Force is currently trying to restrict large portions of airspace in our state in order to fly unmanned aircraft.  The North Dakota Pilots Association continues to believe this is the wrong approach.  Instead of restricting airspace, the military and other users of unmanned aircraft must find a way to integrate them safely into the current system.  On Monday, Senator Dorgan will be holding a hearing to discuss that very process.

According to Dorgan, integrating unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system is essential to expanding both their military and commercial use.  “Solving this problem is particularly important to North Dakota where unmanned aircraft systems training and operations are part of Grand Forks Air Force Base and the North Dakota Air National Guard missions.”  Representatives from the FAA, Air Force, and the Department of Defense will be present at the meeting to discuss solutions to this problem."

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