Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)

Background
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) have been used primarily by the military for many years.  As this emerging technology develops, UAS activity is on the rise with benefits expected through a variety of civilian and commercial applications. In 2012, federal legislation required the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to safely integrate UAS into the National Air Space by September 2015. In December 2013, the FAA announced the selection of the six public entities that will develop uncrewed aircraft systems research and test sites around the country.   
 
"These congressionally-mandated test sites will conduct critical research into the certification and operational requirements necessary to safely integrate UAS into the national airspace over the next several years. Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi was selected as one of  the six sites and plans to develop system safety requirements for UAS vehicles and operations with a goal of protocols and procedures for airworthiness testing."   Source: FAA Press Release 
 
In February of 2012, NCTCOG staff published the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Report, a product of the  Regional General Aviation  and Heliport System Plan. Please visit the North Texas UAS Website for operational requirements and guidelines, resources, and much more.

Know Before You Fly Your Drone Workshops 
As all communities work together to stop the spread of COVID-19, NCTCOG held all 20 "Know Before You Fly Your Drone" workshops virtually over the past two years. To learn about where to fly, best practices, rules and regulations, and much more, visit YouTube and watch the series.

UAS Task Force
The North Texas UAS Safety and Integration Task Force is a public/private partnership that aims to mitigate reckless UAS operation and promote and accelerate the safe and efficient integration of UAS into the Dallas-Fort Worth regional airspace through education, training, legislation, public awareness, strategic planning and innovation. 
The Task Force will collaborate to recommend/develop safety protocols and regional procedures while adhering to federal and state rules and requirements and will work to inform UAS operators and the general public through outreach and access to educational resources. 
Please visit the North Texas UAS website for upcoming UAS information, operational requirements and guidelines, resources, and much more.  

 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems logoUAS Task Force Meeting

August 29, 2023
10 - 12 pm
Virtual Meeting

Due to proprietary content, not all meeting presentations will be posted on this webpage.
 

July 25, 2023

Agenda
Presentations - 

June 27, 2023

Agenda
Presentations

Operation Healing Eagle Feather, MissionGo, Inc: Nate Ernst
The Network, AURA Network Solutions: Lisa Peterson
The Virgina “FIX” and Apple blossom Fest, ATA: John Eberhardt
sUAS Detection, Scientel Solutions: Joe Mayer

May 30, 2023

Agenda
Presentations

The Advanced Air Mobility Market, SMG Consulting: Sergio Cecutta
UAS Legislative Update and Discussion, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen
NCTCOG Program Area Update, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman

May 2, 2023

Agenda
Presentations - 

Bell 2023 Advanced Vertical Robotics Competition, Bell: Rohn Olson
Tucson College Drone Design Competition, Law Office of Frank L. Broyles: Frank Broyles
Part 107 and Autism, HAAPE: Larry Rothman & CHAMP: Brett Carpenter
Public Works Pilot in Dallas, Birdstop: Keith Miao
UAS Legislative Update and Discussion, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen

March 28, 2023

Agenda
Presentations -

NCTCOG Defense Industry Resilience Grant, NCTCOG: Paul Paine
A Tethered Drone Solution, Teltech Group: Fraser Pajak
Investor and Investment Opportunities in AAM, Aero-X Ventures: Basil Yap
Compliance and Cyberisks with AAM, RB Advisory LLC: Regine Bonneau
UAS Legislative Update and Discussion, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen
Bell 2023 Advanced Vertical Robotics Competition, Bell: Chad Sparks

February 28, 2023

Agenda
Presentations -

FCC's NPRM on "Spectrum Rules & Policy for the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft", Dallas Police Dept. Aviation Unit UAS Squad:  Mark Colborn 
Airport Readiness for Autonomous Technologies, University of North  Texas: Dr. Clinton Purtell
UAS Legislative Update and Discussion, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen 

January 31, 2023

Agenda
Presentations -

Overair’s EVTOL Platform, Overair: John Criezis
American Society for Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing Gulf South Region, Halff: Bill Swope
“Drone Prepared” and TX Drone Workshop, AUVSI: Jared Janacek
ARISE Conference and Competition, SMU: Kenneth Berry
UAS Legislative Update, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen

December 6, 2022

Agenda
Presentations -

Airspace Hazard Identification and Alerting Service, Hermes: Dr. Kamesh Namaduri
NASA AAM Integration Annex #2, NASA: Nancy Mendonca
FAA Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Report, NCTCOG: Nicole Johnson

October 25, 2022

Agenda
Presentations -

GeoData into B4UFly, Aloft Ai: Steve Roy
Integrating AAM into Future Mobility, Supernal: Adrienne Lindgren
Safety Assurance for Advanced Air Mobility, ResilienX: Andrew Carter
Using Drones for Inspections, Deloitte: Edgar Valdez

September 27, 2022                                               

Agenda
Presentations -

Operating a DronePort, Innovets: Mike Whitted & Chris Yakabe
Offshore Cargo Resupply, Volatus Aerospace: Mike Hill
NASA National Campaign 1 Update, Unmanned Experts: Keven Gambold
Wildlife Hazard Management and AAM, Mead & Hunt: Lisa Harmon

August 30, 2022

Agenda
Presentations -

Updates from Airspace Link, Airspace Link: Lisa Petterson
Autonomous EVTOLs, Wisk: Emilien Marchand
Training Drone Pilots with Autism, CHAMP: Brett Carpenter
Industry Legislature Discussion, Law Office of Frank Broyles: Frank Broyles

July 26, 2022

Agenda
Presentations -

Walmart Deliveries in North Texas, DroneUp: Matt Beatty
AAM Workforce Trends, Advanced Air Mobility Association: Russell Julian
Texas UAM Advisory Committee Update, Volatus Aerospace: Michael Hill
Advanced Air Mobility Survey, RSG INC.: Jonelle Hanson

June 28, 2022

Agenda
Presentations -

Sony Airpeak, Sony: Gabriel Johnson
UAS Manufacturing Supply Chain, University of North Texas: Dr. Suman Niranjan
Sustainable Urban Air Transport, Urban-Air Port: Stuart Bloomfield

May 31, 2022

Agenda
Presentations -

Vertiports and Vertistops in North Texas, Skyports: Steven Spinello
Electric Grid Infrastructure at Airports, Mead & Hunt: Mitchell Hooper

March 29, 2022

Agenda
Presentations -

North Texas Center for Mobility Solutions, Transportation Research Alliance: Victor Fishman
Arlington Entertainment District Pilot, Hidden Level: James Licata

February 22, 2022

Agenda
Presentations -

NASA Vertiport Location Survey Study, Maven: Wyatt Nordstrom

January 25, 2022

Agenda
Presentations -

Interlink Employer Survey Results, Interlink: Candy Slocum
UAM and Cyber Security, RBA Advisory: Regine Bonneau
Traffic Management Solutions, Avianco: Shravan Vatambeti

November 30, 2021

Agenda
Presentations -

Electrification of Aircraft, National Renewable Energy Labs: Brett Oakleaf & Scott Cary
UAS Network Alliance, Crown Castle: George Kirov
AAAE UAM Market Report, American Association of Airport Executives: Jeremy Valcich
Next Steps, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman

October 26, 2021

Agenda
Presentations -

RF-based Detection and Localization of a Drone, University of Texas - Arlington, VP Nguyen
Dawn of Drones, P3Tech Consulting: Dawn Zoldi
Drone Defense, Scientel Solutions: Joe Mancino
Autonomous Aircraft, Skybase: Michael Read

September 28, 2021

Agenda
Presentations -

Drones in the Water, Reign Maker; Jessica Chosid
Airport Response to UAS Threats, National Safe Skies Alliance: Jessica Grizzle & Woolpert: Zach Shuman
Drones and VR, GRADD VR: Reza Karamooz
Next Steps, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman 

July 27, 2021

Agenda
Presentations -
Bell Nexus over Dallas (.mp4)

Forecasting the AAM Potential in 84 Cities Around the World, UAM Geomatics: Phil Dyment
sUAS and Mapping, Texas Drone Company: Jared Jenseth
National Drone Advisory Committee Update, FAA Drone Advisory Committee Member: Mark Colburn
UAS Legislative Update, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen

June 29, 2021

Agenda
Presentations -

Renewable Energy and EVTOL, National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Brett Oakleaf
DFW Area Vertiports, Sky Helicopters: Ken Pyatt
Can Texas Lead Advanced Air Mobility? SkyStations: Daniel De Clute-Melancon
UAS Legislative Update, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen

May 25, 2021

Agenda
Presentations - 

Remote Sensing & Photogrammetry, Cardinal Geospatial: Aiden Thurling
3D Survey Mapping, Cooper Aerial: Jim Crume
Satellite Communications to Emergency Responders, IP Access International: Jason Fillebrown 
UAS Legislative Update, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen

April 27, 2021

Agenda
Presentations - 

A New Economic Model for EVTOL, Swanson Consultancy: Darrell Swanson
Accident Reconstruction, SkyeBrowse: Bobby Ouyang
Interdrone 2021, Interdrone: Leslie Wolf & John McLoughlin
UAS Legislative Update, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen

March 30, 2021

Agenda
Presentations - 

Interoperability to unlock the UAS and UAM Airspace, Jviation: Gregory Dyer
Utilizing Underwater Drone (ROV) Technology for Aquatic Surveys & Search/Rescue Operations, DW Digital Imagery & Associates, LLC:  Johnathon Denton
SmartDrone - Smart. Accurate. Affordable LiDAR Drones, Smart Drones: Eric Green
AUVSI Xponential 2021, AUVSI: Wes Morrison
UAS Legislative Update, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen

February 23, 2021

Agenda
Presentations -

Private Operators to be Overhauled by AAVa, Streamlined Main Dynamics: Prashant Sharma
Behind the Scenes of the Drone Revolution, DroneTalks: Eszter Kovacs
Design of Hexacopter UAV EAGLE-1 Mount System for Future 3D Mapping  Using LIDAR, University of Texas at Arlington: Carolina Favela and Ryan Howe
Public Safety Unmanned Response Team, PSURT: Travis Calendine
UAS Legislative Update, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen

January 26, 2021

Agenda
Presentations -

Strategic Analysis of Aero Taxi Solutions, Frost & Sullivan: Aaron Kravitz & Michael Blades
Low Altitude Weather Infrastructure, TruWeather: Donald Berchoff
Remote ID and Ops Over People Rules, P3 Tech Consulting: Dawn Zoldi 
Next Steps, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman

December 1, 2020

Agenda 
Presentations -

City of Coral Gables Drone Use Cases, City of Coral Gables: Raimundo Rodulfo & Alex Gamundi 
The AirHub Platform, Airspace Link: Lisa Peterson & Jack Mackin
Airspace Monitoring Services, Hidden Level: James Licata
Bell NASA SIO Demo Update, Bell: Chad Sparks

October 27, 2020

Agenda
Presentations -

Cyber Security and Drones, Syracuse University: Lee McKnight & NUAIR: Dave Whitaker
Drones and Smart Cities, Curiosity Labs: Justin Daniels
Beeznests Connection Ltd, Black Girls Drone & Community Partners: Ernanda White, Alexandra McCalla & Jin Liu 
“Drones in the Classroom” Educator Conference, SMU: Kenneth Berry
Task Force Next Steps, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman
Advanced Air Mobility Market Study, AIA: David Silver & Deloitte: Matthew Metcalfe

September 29, 2020

Agenda
Presentations -

Introduction to Newcastle, Newcastle Manufacturing: Travis Kunkel 
V-BAT Innovative VTOL Tech, Martin UAV: Mark Russel 
Airport Design for Large UAS, Woolpert: Thomas Mackie
 Universal Aerial Solutions for Today and Tomorrow, Arvika Aerial: Paul Woessner
Future of Jobs, Global Air Drone Academy: Eno Umoh

August 25, 2020

Agenda
Presentations -

PSURT Update, Town of Little Elm: Travis Calendine
The Aviation Unmanned Vehicle Museum, AUVM: Paula Field & Doug Smith 
July 28, 2020

Agenda
Presentations -

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Modus: Daniel Hubert
DroneCode Project, 3DR: Steve Boyle 
Alliance for Certified Drone Manufacture in America,  Aero & Space USA: Arun Murthi 
Media Asset Management, AIDA Content Management: Peter Flood & Metadata for the Drone Industry, 2BX Media: Tommy Macias
Working Group Updates, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman 

June 30, 2020

Agenda
Presentations -

Community Integration - Adding the Third Dimension to Urban and Regional Transportation, Community Air Mobility Initiative: Yolanka Wulff
InterDrone 2020, Emerald X LLC: Jon McLoughlin & Leslie Wolf 
NCT9-1-1 UAS Program, NCTCOG: David Dean
TDEM Task Force Update, Cumulus Technologies: Michael Hill
UAS Workforce Steering Committee, UAS WERX: Wes Jurey
 Automated Transportation Planning, Request for Proposals and Defense Manufacturing Communities Support Program, NCTCOG: Thomas Bamonte 
Next Steps, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman 

May 26, 2020

Agenda
Presentations -

EVTOL Technology, JMSI Vision: Jim Semerad
Giant Drones in Texas: AVA Winged X8 Flying Robotic Platform, Aerial Vehicle Automation: David Gonzales II
UNT and NASA Grand Design, University of North Texas: Dr. Kamesh Namuduri  
sUAS and Professional Services, Halff and Associates: Bill Swope
Women in Drones Job Board, Women in Drones: Maggie Schuster
FAA Survey of Unmanned Aircraft Systems RFC, NCTCOG: Kyle Roy

April 28, 2020

Agenda
Presentations -

Urban Air Mobility Market Study, Quantitative Scientific Solutions LLC: Dr. Colleen Reiche
COVID 19 UAS Use Cases and Disaster Relief, DJI: Wayne Baker

January 28, 2020

Agenda
Presentations -

Alliance Texas Mobility Innovation Zone, Hillwood: Christian Childs
UAS Workforce Steering Committee, UAS Werx: Wes Jurey
UAS Real Estate Inventory, ROOFFAX: Mario Herrera
Public Safety Unmanned Response Team and TDEM Update, PSURT: Travis Calendine
NASA Grand Design Challenge Update, Lonestar UAS: Joe Henry 
Know Before You Fly Workshop Recap, UAS Plus Services: Maggie Schuster

October 30, 2019

Agenda
Presentations -

AI Technology and Inspections, Bees360: Barry Beavers
UAS Legislation Strategy & Legislation Review, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen
NCTCOG Traffic Incident Funding Opportunity, NCTCOG: Camille Fountain

September 24, 2019

Agenda
Presentations -

Automated Fault Detection, ResilienX: Andrew Carter
FAA’s Law Enforcement Assistance Program, Federal Aviation Administration: Kenny Maldonado
Fort Worth ISD Aerial Robotics Grant, Fort Worth ISD: Daphne Rickard
Bell Vertical Robotics Competition Update, Bell: Rohn Olson
Lone Star UAS NASA TCL4 Observations & UAM Update, Lonestar UAS: Joe Henry
UAVs and the Results of InterLink’s 2019 Regional Employer Survey, InterLink: Candy Slocum 
SMU UAS Summit Review, Cumulus Technologies: Michael Hill 
Know Before You Fly Workshop Sponsorships, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman 

July 23, 2019

Agenda
Presentations -

UAS Insurance and Risk Management, AON Risk Solutions: Rose Marie Norman 
Drone Solutions Program, Firmatek: Jeff Freund & Andrew Maximow
UNT-UAS Traffic Management, University of North Texas: Dr. Kamesh Namuduri 
Counter UAS Technology, Arlington Police: Lieutenant Neal Lanfield
Know Before You Fly Workshops, UAS Plus Services LLC: Maggie Schuster & Even Merelli

June 25, 2019

Agenda
Presentations -

FAA UAS Symposium and NASA TCL4, Lone Star UAS: Joe Henry & NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman
UAS Legislation, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen
Weather Avoidance for Drones/Air Taxis,     Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere: Apoorva Bajaj 
Miscellaneous Follow Up, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman 

May 28, 2019

Agenda
Presentations -

Multi-Scale Integrated Interactive Intelligent Sensing, University of Texas at Dallas: Dr. David Lary
Flying Cell Towers and UAS Traffic Management University of North Texas: Dr. Kamesh Namuduri 
Task Force Outreach Strategy, NCTCOG: Kenneth Bergstrom 
UAS Legislation, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen

April 23, 2019

Agenda
Presentations -

Next generation lightweight carbon composite structures, WIT-Composite: Weronika SoszyÅ„ska 
Indy RC World and Drones, Indy RC World: Evan Merelli 
Autonomous Mobility Corridor, ATRIUS Industries: Jeff DeCoux
PSURT Group Update - Statewide UAS Standardized Training and Response, Town of Little Elm: Travis Calendine 
UAS Legislation, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen 
Task Force Working Groups Update, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman

March 25, 2019

Agenda
Presentations -

NASA’s (UTM) Project, Lone Star UAS Center of Excellence & Innovation: Joe Henry
UAS Werx and the City of Mineral Wells, UAS Werx: Wes Jurey
UAS Opportunities to Fill Mobility Gaps, NCTCOG: Dan Lamers 
UAS Legislation, NCTCOG: Nicholas Allen
Task Force Working Groups Update, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman

February 19, 2019

Agenda
Presentations -

Urban Air Mobility Testing Ground, Lone Star UAS: Joe Henry
 UAS and the Navy, Federal Aviation Administration: Peter Morgan
Task Force Working Groups Update, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman
UAS Legislation: NCTCOG: Kyle Roy & Rebekah Hernandez

December 11, 2018

Agenda
Presentations -

NASA Urban Air Mobility Grand Challenge, Lone Star UAS Center of Excellence & Innovation: Joe Henry
City of Fort Worth New UAS Usage Policy, City of Fort Worth: Aaron Barth
UAS Legislation, NCTCOG: Kyle Roy 
Task Force Contributing Committees and Working Groups, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman 
Know Before You Fly Workshops, NCTCOG: Ernest Huffman 

October 23, 2018

Agenda
Presentations -

Task Force Program Structure and Goals, NCTCOG: Natalie Bettger
North Texas UAS WERX, RMS Aerospace: Russell Julian
Public Safety UAS Response Team, City of Mansfield: Greg Cutler
AUVSI Lonestar Chapter, AUVSI: Bryan Archer 
UAS Legislation, NCTCOG: Amanda Wilson
NCTCOG 911, NCTCOG: David Dean

June 11, 2018

Agenda -

August 27, 2018

Agenda -

August 7, 2018

Agenda -



Staff Contacts:  Ernest Huffman, Natalie Bettger