Peters Amendments to Support 110th Attack Wing & Educational Drone Use Pass Senate
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) today applauded Senate passage of legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which included two amendments he introduced. The first provision helps the Michigan Air National Guard’s 110th Attack Wing maintain its operations in Battle Creek, and the second measure supports the operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, by higher education institutions for research and educational purposes.
“I had the privilege of visiting Battle Creek Air National Guard Base earlier this month, where I saw firsthand the vital work the 110th Attack Wing is doing to keep Americans safe from harm,” said Senator Peters. “By bolstering U.S. military cyber defense capabilities and utilizing remotely piloted aircrafts, this critical military asset is leading cutting-edge security operations. Senate passage of my amendment is an essential next step to ensuring that the Kellogg airport can continue to be eligible for federal grants and support the 110th Attack Wing’s mission.”
The Michigan Air National Guard pays a reduced rent for use of space at W.K. Kellogg Airport to maintain the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base where the 110th Attack Wing operates MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircrafts (RPAs). Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires airports applying for federal grants to charge fair market value to tenants, but provides an exemption for military units with an “aeronautical mission,” which may be charged a nominal lease. However, the FAA does not consider RPA operations an “aeronautical mission” for purposes of grants because the aircraft conduct operations across the world and are not stationed on base. Therefore, Kellogg Airport may lose their FAA grant eligibility if the Michigan Air National Guard’s rent is not increased to fair market value, potentially forcing the Guard to move operations elsewhere. Peters’ amendment would allow airports that renew nominal leases with military units to maintain eligibility for grants.
Peters’ second amendment supports the use of unmanned aircraft systems for research and education.
“Unmanned aircraft systems are a source of tremendous untapped potential for Michigan’s educational institutions,” said Senator Peters. “I am pleased that my bipartisan UAS amendment passed the Senate so that students and educators in our state are able to utilize and advance these technologies to increase knowledge, expand innovation, and create jobs.
The provision puts the FAA on a timeline for establishing a process that will expedite and make more flexible the safe operation of UAS by institutions of higher education for educational or research purposes. If the FAA is unable to establish this process within 270 days, an institution of higher education can immediately begin operating small UAS at model aircraft fields approved by the Academy of Model Aeronautics or seek approval from the FAA to utilize an alternative designated outdoor flight field for UAS flight.
Unmanned aircraft systems are one of the fastest-growing industries in the United States. Over the next few years, UAS are estimated to create more than 700,000 new jobs and have an overall economic impact of $13.6 billion. Applications for UAS include law enforcement and military, oil and gas, engineering, traffic monitoring, broadcast news reporting, computer science, agriculture and film.
