Precision agriculture in Eastern Oregon could get a big boost now that the Federal Aviation Administration approved a regional application that includes three test ranges in the state.
In a report on OregonLive, Roger Lee, executive director of Economic Development for Central Oregon, said the business association has pushed for expansion of a pilotless aviation industry in the state.
The proposal involves test sites near Pendleton, Tillamook and in Central Oregon, said Lt. Col. Alan Gronewold, an Oregon National Guard officer who worked closely with the city of Pendleton for its submission to join the program, OregonLive reported.
The Oregon National Guard has been flying unmanned aerial vehicles near Boardman and in civilian airspace near Pendleton. Gronewold said the FAA’s approval of expanded test ranges in Oregon should make it easier for operators to fly aircraft within the test ranges.
Economic development officials hope that Oregon will become a hotbed for emerging UAV applications, such as search and rescue, forest management and precision agriculture. Precision ag uses high-resolution images taken from unmanned aircraft that can provide growers with valuable information they can use to increase crop yields while minimizing growing costs.
Read the full story on OregonLive.com.
