FAA Waiver Expands Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Operations Across 450 Square Miles
The Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR) has secured a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), nearly doubling its operational airspace in Central New York. This expansion increases its coverage to 450 square miles, making it the largest BVLOS testing and operational airspace in the Northeast United States. The expanded airspace provides significant opportunities for drone operations, advanced air mobility (AAM), and next-generation aviation technologies.
Supporting Innovation and Economic Growth
NUAIR’s expanded airspace includes key locations that serve as hubs for innovation and economic development in Central New York.
Downtown Syracuse: Upstate Medical University, an innovation leader in healthcare, has been using autonomous ground robotics since 2023. Now, with waivered BVLOS airspace covering the area, drones can transport medical and pharmaceutical supplies across the region, including to their cancer center more than 40 miles away. This capability enhances healthcare logistics, allowing for faster and more efficient deliveries.
Clay, NY: In 2022, Micron announced a $100 billion investment to establish a cutting-edge memory manufacturing facility in Central New York. The increased airspace paves the way for Rural Air Mobility (RAM) applications, including the transport of microchips via electric or hybrid aircraft. This approach could reduce traffic congestion and minimize product damage associated with traditional transportation methods. Expanded BVLOS operations also facilitate cargo integration with larger shipping networks at Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR).
Beck’s Grove: This location features a 3,000-foot paved runway, a critical asset for testing and deploying AAM aircraft such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), short takeoff and landing (STOL), and conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) vehicles. The expanded waiver allows for further development and operational testing of these aircraft while also providing an alternative transportation solution for emergency response efforts during extreme weather conditions.
Strengthening New York’s Position in the UAS Industry
State officials and industry leaders emphasize that this expansion will continue to elevate New York’s role in the uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) sector.
Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight stated, “Our continued partnership with NUAIR has been transformative in our efforts to elevate the uncrewed aerial systems industry in New York State.” She added, “This latest FAA designation and milestone will further boost the UAS sector’s continued growth, ensuring that New York State remains ascendant in this vital field, bringing top-quality jobs and economic growth to the Central New York and Mohawk Valley regions.”
Kara Jones, Director of Programs and Engagement at GENIUS NY, the world’s largest drone and robotics accelerator, echoed this sentiment. “NUAIR’s expanded BVLOS waiver is a significant milestone for the uncrewed systems industry and reinforces Central New York as a hub for advanced drone operations. This approval provides GENIUS NY startups – past, present, and future – with greater opportunities to commercialize their technology and secure customers. Expanding the operational area strengthens our ecosystem by enabling real-world deployments, accelerating market entry, and driving industry adoption of innovative UAS solutions.”
Expanding Capabilities for Commercial and Government Partners
NUAIR’s President and CEO Ken Stewart emphasized the broad impact of the expanded BVLOS airspace. “The expansion of NUAIR’s BVLOS airspace doubles our capacity and service opportunities for all our partners and clients: commercial, state, and federal,” he said. “It’s a win for more than NUAIR though – it’s a win for all of New York State.”
As the industry continues to evolve, this waiver positions Central New York at the forefront of drone integration, supporting advancements in logistics, mobility, and emergency response. The increased operational space will enable further testing and deployment of cutting-edge UAS technologies, reinforcing the region’s reputation as a leader in next-generation aviation.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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