Why Central New York?
An FAA-Designated UAS Test Site in Your Backyard
Only Seven FAA-Designated UAS Test Sites in the Nation
New York State continues to make investments in the UAS industry in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley. We are home to one of just seven FAA-designated UAS test sites in the nation which conducts operations for UAS and advanced air mobility (AAM) testing.
In 2016, New York state committed a $30 million investment to develop a 50-mile drone test corridor between Syracuse and Rome through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. This is the world’s first 50-mile Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) Corridor and is a global leader for testing UAS platforms and innovations. In January 2022, NUAIR unlocked 35 miles of BVLOS for flying within that 50 mile corridor.
In 2020, officials unveiled Skydome, a small uncrewed aerial system, or SUAS, experimentation and test facility at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, Oneida County.
What makes the New York UAS Test Site Unique?
- It is the only FAA-designated UAS Test Site housed on an active towered airport.
- The site has conducted over 3,900 successful UAS test flights to date and counting.
- The corridor spans 50 miles which includes rural and urban environments and a wide range of population densities.
- The site has one of the longest spans of approved BVLOS airspace in the country (35 miles).
- The site is currently integrating the nation’s first bespoke 5G network to be used solely for UAS Traffic Management development and advanced drone operations.
- In NY, you have the ability to conduct cold weather and wind disruption testing to validate systems to current standards (four seasons).
- The site has a Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) designated by the United States Federal Aviation Administration to act on its behalf in the certification of type certificated and amateur-built aircraft for the issuance of airworthiness certificates, special flight permits, import aircraft, export certificates for products and articles, conformity inspections, and field approvals for repair and alterations.
Quality of Life
It’s called the “Salt City” for a reason. There are plenty of ways Syracuse brings flavor into your company, as well as your work and home life.
Whether you prefer to spend time indoors or outside, there are a myriad of activities you can partake in or around Syracuse
- The arts scene is thriving with classical music, Broadway shows, and the Everson Museum of Art.
- Syracuse’s food and craft beer culture bring the flavor – salt potatoes with a Middle Ages draft, anyone?
- Recreation is plentiful both in City parks as well as just outside the City – the Adirondacks are only 2 hours away.
- Scared of winter? No need to be! From cross-country skiing to a relaxing massage in Skaneateles, there are plenty of ways to embrace what winter has to offer!
