FAA visit

CREECH AFB, Nev. -- Lt. Col. Geoff Barnes, 11th Reconnaissance Squadron director of operations provides a familiarization brief of an unmanned aircraft systems training ground control station here to members of the Federal Aviation Administration July 22. The 11th RS is the formal training unit that conducts all Predator and Reaper aircrew initial qualification training as well as other MQ-1B training courses. (USAF photo/ Lawrence R. Crespo)

FAA visit

CREECH AFB, Nev. -- Lt. Col. James Clark, 432d Operations Group deputy commander, provides an MQ-1B Predator familiarization brief at Creech Air Force Base to members of the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA team from the Salt Lake City Air Route Traffic Control Center visited here July 22 to gain a better understanding of how to integrate military training operation within airspace under their jurisdiction. (USAF photo/ Lawrence R. Crespo)

FAA explores UAS operations

Published July 30, 2009
By 1st Lt. Kevin Milgram
432nd Wing Public Affairs

CREECH AFB, Nev. (ACCNS) -- Five representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration paid a visit to the 432d Wing to familiarize themselves with MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper operations July 22.

Ms. Robin Badger, staff manager and second-in-charge of the FAA's Air Route Traffic Control Center at Salt Lake City, Utah, was especially interested in learning about how UAS may affect air traffic control operations.

The 432d Operations Group deputy commander, Lt. Col. James Clark, hosted the FAA representatives in an effort to familiarize them with unmanned aircraft systems' abilities to comply with U.S. airspace and air traffic control procedures.

Colonel Clark articulated the fact that the Predator and Reaper, from takeoff to landing, are always piloted by a highly trained crew.

"It's kind of unfortunate that the term 'unmanned' is used when referring to our remotely piloted aircraft because they aren't unmanned at all," said Colonel Clark.

Lt. Col. Geoff Barnes, 11th Reconnaissance Squadron director of operations, reiterated Colonel Clark's message to the FAA representatives.

"It's not a drone," said Colonel Barnes. "It's 100 percent under control at all times."

The Predator and Reaper have strobe lights, transponders and comparable radio capabilities to any traditional aircraft according to Colonel Clark.

"To air traffic control, it will look and sound just like an aircraft with a pilot onboard," said Colonel Clark.

According to Colonel Barnes, in the rare instance a Predator or Reaper loses satellite link, the aircraft will follow a pre-programmed flight path. This flight path, as part of the emergency mission plan, is constantly updated by the pilot.

"In a lost link situation," said Colonel Barnes, "the aircraft will behave predictably and its flight characteristics will be just like any other aircraft."

Ms. Badger was very interested to gain more knowledge on Predator and Reaper operations.

"It was a very enjoyable trip," said Ms. Badger. "It was especially interesting to hear about the future impact of the UAS mission and how it may affect air traffic control operations."

Colonel Clark was happy to host the FAA representatives and show them Creech AFB operations.

"I'm very grateful to have had the opportunity to show the FAA representatives our capacity to successfully integrate into the air traffic control structure," said Colonel Clark.