The Hochul administration is looking to help craft the Next Generation Aviation Strategic Plan for New York so NUAIR joined David Lombardo on The Capitol Pressroom to discuss what the future of this evolving field might look like.

News Channel 9 connects with Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR to discuss the latest rule making from the Federal Aviation Administration. Understand what this means for industry, investors, the general public, and more.

Secretary Duffy Hosts Press Conference on Unleashing American Drone Dominance SYRACUSE, NY – August 5, 2025 – Highly anticipated, the latest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) has been released. The long awaited NPRM focuses on enabling routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). This landmark proposal represents a foundational step toward unlocking scalable and safe drone operations in the national airspace.   On the heels of the recent Executive Orders aimed at Unleashing American Drone Dominance  and Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty , the BVLOS NPRM responds to growing demands across government and industry for clear, actionable regulatory pathways.   “NUAIR applauds the FAA for releasing this critical proposal and for recognizing the importance of expanding operational capabilities for UAS,” said Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR . “We have long supported the advancement of BVLOS rulemaking, and we’re encouraged by the direction this NPRM is heading. This is an essential move for unlocking the full potential of drone technology across infrastructure, emergency response, agriculture, and more.”   Normalizing and standardizing BVLOS operations unlocks significant benefits across multiple industries. From infrastructure to emergency response, drone programs will be able to leverage drones for more efficient, safety, and cost-effective operations.   NUAIR remains committed to supporting safe integration of advanced UAS operations and will continue working alongside industry partners and federal agencies to guide the final rulemaking process. NUAIR’s recent Letter of Acceptance from the FAA for Surveillance-as-a-Service  is a testament to the dedication from both FAA and industry to move safe and secure BVLOS operations forward.   Industry leaders are calling on stakeholders to actively engage during the public comment period. As Liz Forro of the Commercial Drone Alliance stated, “Everyone who benefits from drone operations today should raise their voice in support of this progress and provide concrete advice to regulators on how to further refine the proposal.”   Read the announcement from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy here: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-unveils-rule-unleash-american-drone .     About NUAIR NUAIR is a nonprofit driving economic development through innovations in UAS and Advanced Air Mobility to safely integrate into the national airspace. With support from Empire State Development and the State of New York, NUAIR is empowering and enabling the next generation of aviation.    With a rich history performing UAS testing and validation, investing in local and state economic development, and training public safety elite, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. (NUAIR) is proud to be the catalyst to not only New York’s airspace innovation, but mobility advancement around the globe.    NUAIR. Where Next Takes Flight.     Media Inquiries | marketing@NUAIR.org

The Future of Low-Altitude Flight Infrastructure is Now Operational in Central New York SYRACUSE, NY – July 31, 2025 – Even before the Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) industry took off, there has been the challenge of safely managing low altitude airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) radar coverage controls critical airspace around towered airports, but that system does not cover the majority of remaining airspace. The Near-Term Approval Process (NTAP)  is “a process by which FAA evaluates the safety mitigation value of a service, so that operators can receive safety credit for using that service when seeking waivers or exemptions.”  In plain language – the FAA accepts third party ground-based surveillance infrastructure to meet the standards and expectations needed for safe flight in the U.S. National Airspace. This week, NUAIR completed the Near-Term Approval Process, and its Surveillance-as-a-Service infrastructure is now open to serve as a foundation for integrated, prioritized, and deconflicted UAS operations. Following Executive Orders from the White House on Unleashing American Drone Dominance  and Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty , this Letter of Acceptance (LOA) unlocks the opportunity for low altitude airspace to be accessible and safe for multiple users. Similar to when road construction creates the opportunity for new forms of transportation and a new set of rules and structure, the development of regulation and rules for air traffic management outside of airports opens the opportunity for new methods of mobility, delivery, and operations. The United States now has nearly two thousand square miles covering over 350,000 households that have been proven safe for low altitude beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) airspace operations. “This marks a foundational milestone in solving a challenge the industry has been working toward for over a decade,” said Ken Stewart, President & CEO of NUAIR . "This Letter of Acceptance represents a significant milestone, with the FAA formally recognizing NUAIR's advanced surveillance network as an approved safety solution for routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. Through this agreement, the FAA validates NUAIR's critical role in delivering the digital infrastructure and operational support essential for safe, scalable unmanned aircraft systems deployment, while streamlining the path forward for commercial drone enterprises.” “NUAIR has been transformative in New York’s efforts to grow our foothold in the uncrewed aircraft systems industry,” said Hope Knight, President, CEO, and Commissioner of Empire State Development . “This latest approval is a significant moment for New York, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with NUAIR as together, we can foster more opportunities, helping to advance the commercialization of the Advanced Mobility industry statewide.” FOR STATES, this is a critical step forward in safe and integrated airspace. With a comprehensive picture of your airspace, state agents, power companies, first responders, inspectors, cities, townships, and more have awareness of this lower level of airspace. First responders  can deploy a drone to quickly get a visual on the scene of an emergency in advance of team arrival. Routine deliveries for medical and pharmaceutical supplies  can be completed via UAS with an assured and deconflicted route – freeing up medical staff for vital work. Dams, reservoirs, power stations, highways, and other critical infrastructure can be monitored  for maintenance with increased accuracy. And through it all, the public can have confidence in the authority and transparency of the airspace  – they can rest assured that anything happening over their heads is seen, authorized, compliant, and safe. FOR INDUSTRY,  this represents an opportunity never before available in the United States. Central New York is home to over 760,000 people, 350,000 households, over 30 municipalities, 4 counties, a multitude of first responder departments, multiple hospitals and medical centers, thousands of businesses, and a plethora of commercial opportunities. Since the approval of NUAIR’s BVLOS waiver , and with the expansion of our approved airspace , NUAIR has flown BVLOS on a daily basis and has completed more than 6,000 flights in controlled airspace in order to prove out the safety case of our infrastructure. With this key LOA from the FAA, any commercial organization interested in using UAS need only use NUAIR’s infrastructure to access the pre-approved safety case . “As a longtime partner, CenterState CEO has seen the investment and impact that NUAIR continues to bring not only to this state, but the industry as a whole,” shared Rob Simpson, President of CenterState CEO . “It is fantastic to see their hard work pay off with this significant approval from the FAA.” “NUAIR gaining this LOA is a huge win for the Central New York region,” said Kara Jones, Director of GENIUS NY . “We truly have it all here in Syracuse – from industry entrants beginning with the world’s largest UAS and robotics startup accelerator all the way to true commercial operations. We’re thrilled to be a part of the growth happening here.” Built for growth and resilience, NUAIR’s infrastructure and platforms deliver a foundation that scales and adapts. Easily replicated and rapidly deployed, they bring advanced capabilities to a wide range of settings and missions. “This LOA isn’t just a local win,” shared Stewart, “It is a global blueprint for the future of flight.” To organizations ready to lead in low altitude UAS operations, the infrastructure is here – proven, accepted, and operational. NUAIR is excited to help more communities build public trust and unlock the full potential of the next generation of aviation.     About NUAIR NUAIR is a nonprofit driving economic development through innovations in UAS and Advanced Air Mobility to safely integrate into the national airspace. With support from Empire State Development and the State of New York, NUAIR is empowering and enabling the next generation of aviation. With a rich history performing UAS testing and validation, investing in local and state economic development, and training public safety elite, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. (NUAIR) is proud to be the catalyst to not only New York’s airspace innovation, but mobility advancement around the globe.   NUAIR . Where Next Takes Flight.   Media Inquiries | marketing@NUAIR.org

SYRACUSE, NY – July 25, 2025 – Over the last two days, more than 250 law enforcement agents, firefighters, emergency responders, industry leaders, and technology innovators gathered in Syracuse for the 2025 NYS Public Safety UAS Summit. Now in its seventh year, the event featured presentations, demonstrations, and discussions focused on integrating drones into statewide emergency operations.   Aligning with the heart of New York innovation, this event’s mission is straightforward – equip first responders with everything they need to know to benefit from uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) operations. Featuring best practices from nationwide sources and regulators, the Summit continues to be the premier event to get “all of this information and knowledge in one place”.   “New York State is leading the way in expanding the operational capabilities of emergency and disaster responses using UAS,” said Jackie Bray, Commissioner of the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services .  “With training from experts to learn more about best practices and new innovations, our teams will be ready to use this important tool when emergencies require it.” Case studies from the New York State Police, NYS Thruway Authority, MTA Construction and Development, and the Fire Department of New York were complemented by interstate collaborative conversations with FBI Newark, New Jersey State Police, and the Montgomery County (Maryland) Police Department.   “Our partnership with NUAIR has been invaluable in helping New York State first responders unlock the full potential of drone operations,” said Dr. Alfred Titus, Director of Training at the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services . “The NYS Public Safety UAS Summit provides our emergency operators insights from real-world applications and get hands-on experience with the latest in drone technology. It is an event you cannot afford to miss.”   Attendees received critical information from use cases, while industry was also represented with the latest in UAS technology and accessories. Vendors brought everything from domestically manufactured blue UAS to drone in the box solutions and cutting-edge software solutions.   “This event is a perfect example of how public-private partnerships work,” said Ken Stewart, CEO and President of NUAIR . “NUAIR is able to support DHSES and the larger NY emergency ecosystem by connecting the latest in industry innovation with the bandwidth and support of a state agency.”   This year's Summit featured generous support from sponsors including: Aloft, Axon, BRINC, Autel, Flock Safety, ideaForge Technology, Vantage Robotics, Ericsson, Dronetag, Hidden Level, Freefly, Fotokite, Volatus Drones, Skydio, DroneSense, UVT, Fortem Technologies, and Frontier Precision.   If you are interested in learning more about what is happening in New York or if you would like to join us at next year’s event, reach out to NUAIR at www.NUAIR.org .     About NUAIR NUAIR is a nonprofit driving economic development through innovations in UAS and Advanced Air Mobility to safely integrate into the national airspace. With support from Empire State Development and the State of New York, NUAIR is empowering and enabling the next generation of aviation.    With a rich history performing UAS testing and validation, investing in local and state economic development, and training public safety elite, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. (NUAIR) is proud to be the catalyst to not only New York’s airspace innovation, but mobility advancement around the globe.     NUAIR. Where Next Takes Flight. About the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services  provides leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism, natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page , follow @NYSDHSES on X , or visit dhses.ny.gov .   Get real time emergency and weather alert texts delivered directly to your phone. Text your county or borough of residence to 333111 to enroll now. Learn more at dhses.ny.gov/emergency-alerts .       Media Inquiries |  marketing@NUAIR.org

Highlighting the key players in the New York transportation space, including urban planners, labor leaders, industry advocates and other innovators rebuilding and rethinking New York’s transportation systems!

What does it take to safely scale drone operations across 450 square miles of U.S. airspace — and why are countries like Saudi Arabia and Australia looking to replicate it?  NUAIR  might just have the answer.  Eszter Kovács , Co-founder and CEO of DroneTalks, sat down with  Ken Stewart , President and CEO of  NUAIR , to explore how their  Federal Aviation Administration  (FAA) approved BVLOS airspace, newly launched NUAIR Defense division, and integrated infrastructure are transforming both urban air mobility and national  defence  readiness.  Here are some key highlights:  NUAIR has completed over 6,000 flights in FAA-approved airspace spanning 450 square miles, supporting drone deliveries, defence trials, and more.  NUAIR Defense, their latest initiative, supports rapid, dual-use UAS testing and validation, with a mission to accelerate defence readiness through real-world operations.  Their Zero Conflict Area, a real-time deconfliction system, is powered by partners like  Hidden Level ,  Aloft , and much more — built for safe integration of uncrewed systems.  NUAIR’s frameworks are informing AAM strategies from New York to Riyadh and shaping the future of low-altitude aviation worldwide.

The AAM IWG has been charged with developing a national strategy that includes recommendations regarding the safety, operations, security, infrastructure, air traffic concepts, and other Federal investment or actions necessary to support the evolution of early AAM to higher levels of activity and societal benefit; and a comprehensive plan detailing the roles and responsibilities of each Federal department and agency, and of State, local, and Tribal governments, necessary to facilitate or implement the recommendations developed. On October 11th, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Advanced Air Mobility Interagency Working Group (AAM IWG) convened at Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, NY.

In today’s interconnected landscape, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) technologies are transforming operations and bridging critical gaps in communication, logistics, and data exchange across borders. We’ve looked at just a few key ways that drones are reshaping industries.   Real-Time Data Transmission UAS offer a significant advantage with their ability to transmit data in real-time, enabling rapid decision-making and seamless coordination across industries like logistics, infrastructure, and emergency response. During natural disasters, drones deliver life-saving data and visual streams to first responders, optimizing rescue efforts. Recently in North Carolina, the devastation and intensity of Hurricane Helene left many stranded or cut-off from critical supplies. The NC Department of Transportation responded by pulling in UAS pilots from across the state to track flood movements and monitor critical infrastructure. More than just the state response, teams from various industry organizations like Skydio, Paladin, and DroneSense joined in to lend a hand with relief efforts and – in a true show of creative innovation – local farmers repurposed their agricultural drones to aid in search and rescue, emergency supply delivery and more . Aerial support was critical in many ways, but the ability to make data-driven decisions from real-time information was essential. In disasters, waiting for this data can quickly cost lives, instead teams were able to ensure: Faster rescues : No delayed guessing where survivors are trapped. Smarter resource moves : Aid goes where it’s needed most, right now. Safer responders : Teams avoid collapsed bridges, flooded roads, or flare-ups.     Expanding Access to Remote Markets In 2019, the World Economic Forum predicted a $15 trillion infrastructure gap  by 2040 without some kind of international collaboration or innovation enablement. Drones have created a new form of transportation by being uniquely equipped to reach remote or underserved regions where traditional infrastructure is lacking. We know that drones can aid in emergency relief and disaster response, but what about where roads never existed in the first place? Companies have used drones to deliver medical supplies to isolated communities, ensuring vital resources are available regardless of location and countries such as Rwanda, Ghana, and Zambia have emerged as successful examples of drone delivery initiatives, especially in healthcare logistics. Simple things such as transferring blood between hospitals becomes a strenuous journey when facing 10 hours on rough terrain; this journey transforms into an easy 3 hours when a drone is introduced as transportation .   Facilitating Strategic Partnerships UAS foster international collaborations and research initiatives in sectors like environmental sustainability, healthcare, and security unlike any other industry. While land and sea can be easily defined by borders, airspace presents a whole new frontier. Not only do governments have to work together on regulation and rules, but public-private partnerships have become essential for technology to be shared, enhanced, and improved. NUAIR partners with states and countries to look at the best roadmap to advanced air mobility and the integration of low altitude airspace – but a key element of our work is the collaboration that is needed. No one in any industry can “do it all” , so leveraging partnerships is critical to providing a holistic solution. The NUAIR Alliance features everything from sensor manufacturers to ADSPS providers to flight planning software and training simulators. We proudly bring together a suite of technology that integrates together to create the system needed for airspace clarity and confidence. Within the industry are plenty of examples of teamwork and innovation coming together to solve problems, but another piece to the partnership puzzle is with regulation. The FAA has catalyzed multiple partnerships like the B4UFLY program facilitating situational awareness for recreational flyers and the LAANC data exchange capability for commercial operations. More recently, the FAA has turned to industry to help test and coordinate Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) programs  and is constantly looking for new ways to lean on the innovation of the industry to drive the market forward.   Informed Decision-Making & Economic Impact Drones are powerful tools for addressing critical challenges in infrastructure and urban mobility, providing actionable data to inform strategic decisions. By deploying advanced UAS technology, agencies like the New York State Transit Authority (NYSTA) collect real-time insights on transit infrastructure health, traffic patterns, and passenger flow. In 2022, NYSTA and NUAIR worked together with a $1.5 Million SMART Grant  to “provide safer inspection workflows, stronger predictive maintenance and a more resilient highway system” t hrough the buildout and strengthening of their UAS technology use. These UAS technology investments helped identify structural vulnerabilities in bridges and rail systems, while predictive analytics derived from collected data helped prioritize maintenance and optimize resource allocation. These efforts enabled NYSTA to align operations with key organizational goals—reducing costs, minimizing downtime, and ensuring systems meet evolving safety and efficiency standards. The success of this Stage 1 SMART Grant not only met project goals, but also led to the realization of over $28 Million in annual savings and the award of a $14.8 Million Stage 2 SMART Grant  to continue and build upon the work completed from Stage 1.     Conclusion Uncrewed Aircraft Systems are not just technological innovations; they are vital components for businesses and industries across the globe. By enabling efficient communication, improving service access, and fostering international collaboration, UAS significantly boost operational efficiency and growth. If any of these use cases inspired ideas on how you and your team could incorporate UAS into your operations, then the right partner is key . Let’s collaborate because the value of these tools lies in the system, and the future lies in integration.

As the Central New York region grows as a hub of UAS technology, NUAIR works with its partners to enable the next generation of aviation in our region and across the country. On this episode of Talk CNY presented by NBT Bank, NUAIR’s Executive Director Ken Stewart joins host Katie Zilcosky to discuss the organization’s success and how the industry is impacting Central New York.

News Channel 9 talks with Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR on the latest advancements in drone technology and the exciting future of our industry. Don’t miss this chance to hear firsthand about NUAIR’s innovative projects and vision. Click the button below to hear about insights that could shape the future of air mobility!

News Channel 9 talks with Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR, as he discusses the potential ban on DJI drones in the U.S. We dive into the implications for drone owners, the economic impact, and what the future holds for the industry. Don't miss these insights on the evolving landscape of drone technology!