Columbus Dispatch: Ohioans push for testing of unmanned aircraft

A House committee last week approved an aviation bill that could boost the development and flying of unmanned aircraft at the Air National Guard Base in Springfield and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton.

The measure, which authorizes operations at the Federal Aviation Administration, includes an amendment sponsored by Rep. Steve Austria that would

set aside airspace at four sites to test unmanned aerial craft. The designation is necessary because of the danger of testing unmanned craft near commercial planes or populated areas.

Austria, R-Beavercreek, whose district includes Springfield, acknowledged that the amendment does not guarantee that the Dayton-Springfield area would become one of the four test sites; it only increases the chance.

"Wright-Patterson has been at the forefront of (unmanned aircraft) development and is an ideal location for one of these pilot programs," Austria said in a statement. "One of the biggest challenges has been trying to gain airspace from the FAA. This amendment will greatly ease this process."

Austria said he discussed the potential test sites last week when he and other lawmakers met on Capitol Hill with Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Gen. Norton Schwartz, the Air Force chief of staff.

The Senate, in its version of the FAA bill, included a similar amendment backed by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio. The Senate approved its bill Thursday.