Prescott AZ (June 8, 2012) – Responding to public comments made at recent meetings of the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors, Board Chairman Thomas Thurman has released a statement regarding the status of proposals by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University regarding the establishment of programs to train students in the function and operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
“Statements made during the public-comment portion of recent Board meetings seem to be based upon a misunderstanding of the County’s current involvement with UAV programs, ” Thurman said. “In November, the Board tentatively approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) involving a UAV program, but since the MOU did not fully address certain issues, the Board conditioned its approval on resolution of the outstanding items and a final review by the Board’s legal counsel. During subsequent discussions, County staff was advised that the terms of the original MOU were not in compliance with applicable federal regulations.”
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus in Prescott AZ
Thurman added that “Since the MOU, as drafted, failed to satisfy the Board’s conditions for final approval, it never took effect. Neither party was ever bound by its terms.”
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and Arizona’s Yavapai County staff held additional discussions regarding possible program modifications that would comply with federal requirements and address other issues of concern. Proposals included the identification of three compact sectors in the Prescott Arizona area adjacent to existing manned-aircraft flight operations as the designated UAV flight-training airspace.
At that time, ERAU representatives also advised that partnership opportunities with non-county public agencies had emerged and were being considered. Pending the University’s further exploration of these alternatives, discussions regarding a University-County partnership were held in abeyance.
Recently-enacted federal legislation promises significant changes in the nature and scope of UAV operations within a few years. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 mandates the acceleration of the integration of UAVs into the national airspace system. It provides for an expedited federal rulemaking process and the establishment of test ranges where integrated manned and unmanned flight operations can be safely conducted.
Although the Act has been characterized as a means to bring regulatory consistency to the UAV operating environment, skeptics have stressed the importance of incorporating privacy concerns within the rule-making process.
“It is my understanding that this information has been already been provided by Yavapai County staff in response to individual inquiries from the press and the public,” Thurman said. “I hope that my comments will clear up any lingering confusion. Decisions of this Board are made in open meetings with ample opportunity for public input. An agreement involving any aspect of UAV operations would certainly be no exception.”
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus was established in Prescott, Arizona in 1978 and has approximately 1,700 students, from 50 states and 25 countries (4% international) and 19 percent (19%) female. The mile-high campus covers 539 acres of high-altitude western terrain with campus life centered in a one-mile area. The flight training center is at nearby Prescott Love Field Municipal Airport.
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