On Friday, Oct. 30, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced that the three-year UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP) successfully concluded on Oct. 25. 

Many lessons were learned during the IPP program, but many challenges surrounding UAS integration remain​. These challenges will be addressed through a new program called BEYOND. Eight of the nine state, local and tribal governments that participated in the IPP program have signed new agreements with the FAA to participate in the BEYOND program.

“The three years of information gathered under the drone Integration Pilot Program will be applied to a new initiative called BEYOND, which will further advance the safe integration of drones into our national air space,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

A Presidential Memorandum launched the IPP in Oct. 2017, which led to a competitive selection process from 149 applicants. The IPP participants and their industry partners used innovative strategies to craft successful safety cases to operate under the FAA’s existing regulations.

Under the regulations, participants conducted a variety of operations including package deliveries, inspecting pipelines and power lines, assessing flood damage, counting cattle, responding to 911 calls, and inspecting aircraft. The data from these flights has informed ongoing rulemaking, policy and guidance, and will continue to support future efforts.

“The IPP propelled the American drone industry forward, allowing for unprecedented expansions in testing and operations through innovative private-public partnerships across the country,” explains U.S. Chief Technology Officer Michael Kratsios.

“Now, the BEYOND program will build upon this success, tackling the next big challenges facing drone integration. The Trump Administration remains committed to the safe and innovative development of drone technologies for the benefit of the American people.”

The eight participants that will participate in the BEYOND program are Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Innovation and Entrepreneurship Investment Authority of Virginia; Kansas Department of Transportation; Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority; North Carolina Department of Transportation; North Dakota Department of Transportation; City of Reno, Nevada; and University of Alaska-Fairbanks.