Congress Members Give Their Full Support For San Diego’s FAA Designated UASIUAV (Drones) Test Site

October 24, 2013

The Honorable Anthony Foxx

Secretary

V.S. Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, D.C. 20590

James Williams Manager Federal Aviation Administration

Flight Standards Service Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office

490 L’Enfant Plaza, Suite 3200 Washington, D.C. 20024

RE: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Designated Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Test Site Application

Dear Secretary Foxx and Mr. Williams:

We are writing to express our full support for a FAA designated UASIUAV Test Site application from the Indian Wells Valley Airport District and its coalition of partners including the San Diego regional Economic Development Corporation, the San Diego Military Advisory Council, ad the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce. San Diego is a center of aerospace and the region meets and/or exceeds the criteria put forth by the FAA for a UAS/UAV test site.

The proposed operating area spans a diverse geography and climate conditions, which is vital to compiling a robust body of data to guide decisions on how to integrate UAS into the National Airspace. The area consists of a variety of terrain from desert to offshore islands, temperature extremes, and a range of moisture conditions to simulate environmental conditions throughout the United States. i.e. San Diego back country.

The San Diego region is home to one of the most active UAS/UAV industries in the United States two of the largest manufacturers of DAS in the world are headquartered in the region, supported by many other companies in the supply chain. Small businesses related to UAS are flourishing. San Diego has not only the necessary ground infrastructure but also the human capital and research resources. Partnerships with academia are important to FAA’s ability to gather all the technical data needed. Our six major universities in the San Diego region are already taking steps to ensure they are providing the necessary research and education for the industry to thrive. A recent study by the San Diego North Chamber of Commerce found that the VAS/VAV industries accounted for $1.3 billion of activity and 7,200 jobs in the region in 2011. By 2019, the activity will exceed $12 billion.

We ask that you give this proposal full and fair consideration. No doubt, the Indian Wells Valley Airport District proposal offers the expertise, experience, and innovation of the people and institutions of San Diego.

Sincerely,

Member of Congress

SCOTT PETERS

SUSAN A. DAVIS

SCOTT PETERS

DARRELL ISSA

DUNCAN HUNTER

JUAN VARGAS

~

(‘Inngreaa at the finitch §tatea – Cal UAS

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