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Federal Aviation Administration reveals drone testing sites in six states Federal Aviation Administration reveals drone testing sites in six states
(about 2 hours later)
The Federal Aviation Administration has chosen six states to develop test sites for drones, a critical next step for the unmanned aircraft's march into US skies. The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday announced six states that will develop test sites for drones, a critical next step for the march of the unmanned aircraft into US skies.
The FAA announced Monday the sites will be based in Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia. They were chosen from among 24 states bidding to host the program.  Alaska, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia will host the research sites, the agency said. They were chosen from among 24 states bidding to host the program. 
Drones have been mainly used by the military, but governments, businesses, farmers and others are making plans to join the market. Many universities are starting or expanding drone programs. Drones have been mainly used by the military but governments, businesses, farmers and others are making plans to join the market. Many universities are starting or expanding drone programs.
The FAA does not allow commercial use of drones, but it is working to develop operational guidelines by the end of 2015. Officials concede it may take longer. “These test sites will give us valuable information about how best to ensure the safe introduction of this advanced technology into our nation's skies,” transportation secretary Anthony Foxx said in a statement.
FAA administrator Michael Huerta says safety is the first priority in moving drones into US airspace. The FAA said that when selecting the sites it considered geography, climate, location of ground infrastructure, research needs, airspace use, aviation experience and risk. In the case of Alaska, the FAA cited a diverse set of test-site range locations in seven climatic zones. New York's site, at Griffiss International Airport, will look at integrating drones into the congested northeast airspace. North Dakota has committed $5m to the venture and named a former state air national guard commander as its test site director.
The FAA does not allow commercial use of drones, but it is working to develop operational guidelines by the end of 2015. Officials concede the project may take longer than expected. The FAA projects that some 7,500 commercial drones could be aloft within five years of being given widespread access to American airspace.
“Safety continues to be our first priority as we move forward with integrating unmanned systems into US airspace,” FAA administrator Michael Huerta said in a statement. “We have successfully brought new technology into the nation's aviation system for more than 50 years, and I have no doubt we will do the same with unmanned aircraft.”
An industry-commissioned study has predicted that more than 70,000 jobs would develop in the first three years after Congress loosens drone restrictions on US skies. The same study projects an average salary range for a drone pilot between $85,000 and $115,000. Representatives from the winning states were jubilant about the FAA announcement.
“This is wonderful news for Nevada that creates a huge opportunity for our economy,” said senator Harry Reid.
The growing drone industry has critics among conservatives and liberals. Giving drones greater access to US skies moves the nation closer to “a surveillance society in which our every move is monitored, tracked, recorded and scrutinized by the authorities”, the American Civil Liberties Union declared in a report last December.
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