For the first time an FAA-designated representative was authorized to issue an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) certificate. “Today marks the first time that a special airworthiness certificate has been issued to any UAS applicant at any UAS test site,” Glen Martin said. Official certification was made when the pilotless airplane weighing less than 8 pounds and a wingspan of about 5 feet flew for about 15 minutes before guests arrived.
Dignitaries, including Gov. Brian Sandoval, U.S. Sen. Dean Heller and U.S. Rep. Joe Heck, were present Friday when the orange aircraft dubbed Magpie was launched by hand, flew about 10 feet and then went down nose-first into the desert floor. The drone was not damaged but no follow-on flight was performed.
“This is testing,” the governor said. “This is why we’re here.”
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