Senate OKs Wyden bill to extend Warm Springs, other UAS sites

Legislation by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., to provide much-needed certainty for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test sites in Oregon and nationwide to continue their economic growth was approved Wednesday by the Senate.

The inclusion in a larger FAA bill of Wyden’s legislation extends congressional authorization for the test sites in Pendleton, Tillamook and Warm Springs as well as three test sites outside Oregon until Sept. 30, 2019.

“Creating greater certainty for Oregon’s growing UAS industry will accelerate what’s already been an impressive record of job creation statewide,” Wyden said. “This legislation will free up this innovative Oregon industry to truly say that the sky’s the limit with economic possibilities.”

In addition to Oregon’s three FAA-approved test ranges in Pendleton, Tillamook and Warm Springs, the state has numerous innovative UAS companies in operation statewide, and the FAA has chosen Oregon State University as a Center of Excellence for UAS.