Everywhere you turn, there are news stories about the emerging commercial uses of “drones” or unmanned aircraft systems.
According to a leading industry association, unmanned aircraft will bring nearly 2,000 jobs and an economic impact of $379 million to Georgia within the first three years of commercial use. Many of these jobs will come from UAS use in industries already very important in Georgia: agriculture, film and media production, infrastructure inspection and public safety. Leaders from Georgia’s aerospace industry, universities and state government are working to make that prediction a reality.
The first key: university research. Georgia Tech has more than 20 years’ experience in UAS technologies. Additional research is growing across the Georgia university system and at private colleges such as Mercer University. Tech also is leading a team of universities competing for the Federal Aviation Administration Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, which would enhance our technology capabilities and attract more UAS companies to Georgia.
The second key: Develop an “ecosystem” that supports unmanned aircraft. Georgia has more than 85,000 people employed in aerospace, an annual economic impact of more than $50 billion. Companies like Gulfstream, Pratt & Whitney, Triumph Aerostructures and PCC Airfoils helped make aerospace products the No. 1 international export for the state in 2014, totaling $7.8 billion. The new UAS sector will benefit from this reservoir of talent and capability to shape its future.
The Center of Innovation for Aerospace, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, focuses on growing our existing aerospace sectors (manufacturing, air transportation, and maintenance repair and overhaul) and preparing for emerging opportunities such as space and unmanned aircraft.
The center is preparing Georgia to be a leader in the commercial UAS market across the entire life cycle: research and development, manufacturing, testing, training, operations and sustainment. In 2009, it brought together leaders from industry, academia, economic development and government to discuss the potential for commercial unmanned aircraft in Georgia. That led to the establishment of the UAS Working Group. This group meets quarterly to share information, discuss issues surrounding the sector and define activities to prepare for the safe use of drones in our state.
Moreover, the center works with university-industry “Innovation Projects” to improve technology while gaining experience operating unmanned aircraft safely. Agriculture, the largest industry in Georgia, already uses autonomous ground vehicles and other high-technology systems.
Recently, the Centers of Innovation for Agribusiness and Aerospace co-sponsored a study of UAS use in agriculture by the aviation school at Middle Georgia State College and Guided Systems Technologies. The University of Georgia provided test fields and agriculture expertise; there also was support from the Georgia cotton and peanut commissions. This project confirmed unmanned aircraft can help farmers lower costs and increase yields, but more is work is ahead of us.
The FAA recently took the first steps toward commercial use by approving UAS operations by six film production companies. Since then, more than 50 companies have applied for similar approvals. It is anticipated the FAA will soon approve drone use in other sectors such as agriculture, public safety and infrastructure inspection.
For a viable commercial UAS market, companies also will need clearly defined state regulations on liability, usage restrictions and licensing as well as an available, cost-effective insurance market, and a welcoming business environment.
Georgia has a long and successful history of innovation in aerospace. It began in 1907, when Ben Epps designed, built and flew the first aircraft in Georgia. That was less than four years after the Wright Brothers’ first historic flight. Now, Georgia is poised to succeed in the next wave of aerospace innovation — unmanned aircraft systems.
Steve Justice is director of the state’s Center of Innovation for Aerospace.
