The Federal Aviation Administration announced the first six organizations that will be able to conduct research and development of drones.
FAA officials announced Tuesday that the state of Nevada, New York’s Griffiss International Airport, the North Dakota Department of Commerce, Texas A&M University and Virginia Tech and the University of Alaska will be the first to be allowed to conduct drone testing.
FAA administrator Michael Huerta called the announcement of the testing sites a major milestone toward integrating drones into U.S. airspace. The FAA has been working to determine the manner in which it wishes to mix drones into the U.S. air picture. Plenty of officials are still nervous about mixing drones with manned aircraft.
The six winners were picked from 25 different applicants. The authorizations granted by the FAA are good through 2017.
