Test Range Now Has Three Regional Airport Operation Locations
The Warm Springs FAA UAS Test Range, a member of the Pan Pacific Test Range Complex (PPUTRC), led by the University of Alaska, Fairbanks announced the addition of the Bend Municipal Airport to their Unmanned Aircraft operation locations.
“This partnership is critical to expanding our ability to support the various needs of client test projects including long-term Type Certification programs,” said Liz Stalford, Warm Springs UAS Test Range Manager. “The Bend Airport has a newly constructed helipad and the ability to support large custom hangars in a desirable setting.”
Gary Judd, Bend Municipal Airport manager, notes that the FAA classifies Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as aircraft. “With this agreement, the Bend Municipal Airport is assured that all UAV operations conducted by the Warm Springs UAS program at the Bend Municipal Airport are conducted safely and in compliance with FAA rules and regulations for operations at airports within Class G airspace such as the Bend Municipal Airport.”
In addition to expanding to the Bend Municipal Airport, Warm Springs UAS Test Range has recently added operations to the Prineville and Madras Airports.
The Warm Springs UAS Test Range is a key testing facility for the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex, one of only six official FAA UAS test sites in the United States and is the only site owned and operated by a Native American tribe on tribal land. Located on the high desert of Central Oregon, the Warm Springs UAS Test Range provides both startups and established industry giants the easy access, expansive terrain, blue skies, seclusion and after-hours entertainment necessary for a successful test. The Test Range has expanded operations at the Bend Municipal Airport, Prineville Airport and the Madras Municipal Airport.
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