How Drone Ranges are Helping Advance R&D Initiatives

 

The terrain of the northwest is important to the industry with a diverse test range where the industry can research, develop, and help make further strides in the industry with manufacturing and operations.

Host Grant Guillot of Drones in America chats with Darryl Abling, the Range Manager for Pendleton UAS Range and Steve Chrisman, the Economic Development Director and Airport Manager for Pendleton.

“The range is based out of Eastern Oregon Airport, and it consists of 14,000 square miles of airspace in northeastern Oregon with a huge amount of space for people to come and test,” Abling said.

In addition to Pendleton’s large airspace their customers can fly both large and small aircrafts, which has about 15,000 feet. “It really provides an awesome capability for testing; people can get extremely high altitude which is uncommon for a range,” he said.

Pendleton’s low and high-altitude range also provides an environmental factor with “quite a bit of environmental test cases that a customer can do depending on their needs,” Chrisman stated.

The need for large amounts of wide-open space tends to be critical for new testing and for those who haven’t completed a full certification and for testing that requires a non-populated area, an advantage that works for Pendleton.

“We have a variety of companies we connect with who test from commercial Industries to the Department of Defense, and here at the airport, we have agreements with other landowners and other airports. You name it if it’s related to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), it’s operating here at Pendleton,” Chrisman said.

As the future of drone technology progresses, Pendleton is at the forefront providing the range and the data for testing.

“One of our specialties are to be fast, affordable and efficient and help people get in the air quickly and break down some of the barriers for the process of commercializing technology,” Chrisman said. “I think when you see companies like Urban Air Mobility becoming a thing in the next several years, that began at Pendleton for a large part.”

More Stories Like This:

Examining the Impact of DroneUp Preparing For One Million Package Deliveries Per Year

Draganfly CEO Shares Where the Company is Seeing Record Revenue

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

grid expansion
Voices of ChargeExpo 2024: Lilypad EV Unites Grid Expansion with EV Charging for a Better User Experience
March 27, 2024

At ChargeExpo 2024, a pivotal discussion unfolded, shedding light on the integral relationship between grid expansion and the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. As electric vehicles continue to surge in popularity, the spotlight has turned to the supporting infrastructure, underscoring a critical challenge: the need for significant grid expansion to accommodate the […]

Read More
advanced battery technologies
Empowering a Greener Tomorrow: The Urgent Need for Enhanced Safety Protocols in the Electric Vehicles and Advanced Battery Technologies Sector
March 26, 2024

As the world gravitates toward cleaner energy solutions, electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced battery technologies stand at the forefront of this transformative journey. The shift towards electrification underscores a global commitment to reducing carbon emissions, with the EV market experiencing unprecedented growth​​. Innovations in battery technology, crucial for extending EV range and reducing costs, […]

Read More
Grid modernization
Grid Modernization is Bringing Utilities and Internet Providers to the Table. How Will Collaboration Shape the Grid?
March 26, 2024

The power grid is in for an exciting era of improvement as it embraces Industry 4.0 and mass digitalization. That doesn’t mean modernization isn’t a tough ride. As the grid grapples with blackouts and shut-offs, one thing is clear: The U.S. needs to modernize its aging grid and embrace technologies that make better use […]

Read More
Leverage AR & VR Technologies to Deepen Fan Engagement & Unlock Real-Time Marketing and Revenue Opportunities in Sports
March 26, 2024

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are opening up novel ways to enhance the fan experience, both in stadiums and from the comfort of one’s home. The release of Apple Vision Pro AR VR headsets has sparked debate on their potential impact on live sporting events. Critics question whether fans engrossed in […]

Read More