County seeks deal with WPAFB for drone testing
By
The Highland County Press-
The Highland County commissioners have contacted Wright-Patterson Air Force Base regarding the availability of space at the Highland County Airport.
“They need restricted air space for their drone development,” Commissioner Gary Heaton said. “We have access to a lot of restricted air space in the eastern part of the county. We’ve been working on this as a possible way to create some jobs.”
In a Jan. 15 letter to Joe Sciabica at the WPAFB research lab, Commissioner Shane Wilkin wrote: “Through economic development channels, we have learned of your need for an area in which to test and/or develop unmanned aircraft as well as the need for military airspace in close proximity of this airport. I am requesting that the Highland County Airport be considered as a location for your research, development, and testing. We have in place the military airspace that is needed, as well as a vast variety of terrain for the UVAs to fly over — rugged foothills of the Appalachians, flat cropland, and two large lakes (Rocky Fork and
Paint Creek).
“We can provide hangar space for immediate occupancy, and we have property available for future development as needed to support this crucial segment of our military.”[[In-content Ad]]
“They need restricted air space for their drone development,” Commissioner Gary Heaton said. “We have access to a lot of restricted air space in the eastern part of the county. We’ve been working on this as a possible way to create some jobs.”
In a Jan. 15 letter to Joe Sciabica at the WPAFB research lab, Commissioner Shane Wilkin wrote: “Through economic development channels, we have learned of your need for an area in which to test and/or develop unmanned aircraft as well as the need for military airspace in close proximity of this airport. I am requesting that the Highland County Airport be considered as a location for your research, development, and testing. We have in place the military airspace that is needed, as well as a vast variety of terrain for the UVAs to fly over — rugged foothills of the Appalachians, flat cropland, and two large lakes (Rocky Fork and
Paint Creek).
“We can provide hangar space for immediate occupancy, and we have property available for future development as needed to support this crucial segment of our military.”[[In-content Ad]]