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Stakeholders to set goals for unmanned aircraft in ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ

September 21, 2012

Marmian Grimes

Photo by Greg Walker. In early 2012, this quad-rotor Aeryon Scout was deployed by the University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ Unmanned Aircraft team to gather information on sea ice conditions outside Nome Harbor.
Photo by Greg Walker. In early 2012, this quad-rotor Aeryon Scout was deployed by the University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ Unmanned Aircraft team to gather information on sea ice conditions outside Nome Harbor.
Amy Hartley
907-474-5823
9/21/12

Unmanned aircraft systems couple innovative design and construction to assist business, science and the military. They can even help ensure public safety. ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ offers a vast landscape in which unmanned aircraft can work. Whether it’s monitoring the state’s wildlife, gathering data on precious resources or assisting with rescue efforts, these aircraft are proving themselves a crucial component of living and operating in the Far North.

Nearly 100 stakeholders from across ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ and the U.S. will converge for three full days in Anchorage, ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ to discuss recent developments in the UAS field, identify opportunities to use these tools and discuss public policies affecting unmanned aircraft. The ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ UAS Interest Group annual meeting runs from Sept. 25-27, 2012 at the Embassy Suites Anchorage.


Photo courtesy of Greg Walker. An Aeryon Scout was flown above flaming flare heads near Prudhoe Bay, ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ as part of a mission for BP in 2011. The Scout collected video and high-resolution images of flares and their support pipes, so BP could determine maintenance priorities for the company's equipment. Obviously, a manned flight would be too dangerous.
Photo courtesy of Greg Walker. An Aeryon Scout was flown above flaming flare heads near Prudhoe Bay, ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ as part of a mission for BP in 2011. The Scout collected video and high-resolution images of flares and their support pipes, so BP could determine maintenance priorities for the company's equipment. Obviously, a manned flight would be too dangerous.

Greg Walker, director of the University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ Unmanned Aircraft Program based at Poker Flat Research Range, is coordinating the conference with help from Harry Kieling, ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ regional director for the Office of Aviation Service with the U.S. Department of the Interior; Jay Skaggs, All Weather Operations Program manager for the ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ Region of the Federal Aviation Administration; as well as other stakeholders and staff from the University of ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ Fairbanks Geophysical Institute.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Greg Walker, UA Unmanned Aircraft Program director, at 907-474-2110 or via email at gregory.walker@gi.alaska.edu.

ON THE WEB:

NOTE TO EDITORS: Media are welcome to attend any portion of the meeting. The ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ UAS Interest Group Annual Meeting agenda may be requested by emailing info@gi.alaska.edu.

AH/9-21-12/074-13