FAA Approves New York's Entire 50-Mile Drone Corridor for UAS Operations Following Nearly $113 Million State Investment to Boost New York's UAS Ecosystem
Drone Corridor Administrator NUAIR also Secures Agreement with Quebec Based Vports to Develop International Advanced Air Mobility Corridor
New York State Investments Complement "CNY Rising" - The Region's Comprehensive Strategy to Revitalize Communities and Grow the Economy
Footage of Drone Corridor Flight Available Here
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site has secured approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly uncrewed aircraft systems - commonly referred to as drones - beyond visual line of sight across the entire 50 miles of airspace within New York's Drone Corridor. This flight authority will give NUAIR, the uncrewed aircraft systems corridor operator, the ability to fly civilian drones from Syracuse International Airport to Griffiss International Airport in Rome without the need of visual observers. The FAA designation will help to unlock the full potential and economic advantage of commercial drone and advanced air mobility operations, including cargo and passenger transport via uncrewed aircraft.
"New York's state-of-the-art drone corridor further cements the state's position as the global leader in this evolving market for cutting-edge drone technology," Governor Hochul said. "Through our continued investment and focus on drone corridor operations, we are strengthening and growing the regional economies in Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and statewide for generations to come."
Governor Hochul also announced that the state will be providing NUAIR with an additional $21 million in CNY Rising Upstate Revitalization Initiative funding to cultivate the world-leading UAS industry hub along the corridor in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. The project will allow for critical infrastructure to be tested and deployed to enable advanced industry applications, state agency adoption of UAS, and associated workforce development.
New York State's uncrewed aircraft systems Test Site, owned by Oneida County, is one of only seven Federal Aviation Administration-designated uncrewed aircraft systems test sites in the nation.
NUAIR already is assisting a multitude of state agencies to integrate drones into their operations including bridge and infrastructure inspections with the NYS Thruway Authority, environmental conservation with the NYS DEC and more. This extended FAA designation and additional funding will drive UAS industry innovation in New York State, allowing for the further development of cost-effective, and ecologically conscious drone operations that will supplement vital supply chains throughout New York State.