Abling: UAS range encompasses more than the airport
By Terry Murry on Thursday, October 24th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Pendleton UAS Range is centered at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton, but it offers companies far more space to test their unmanned aircraft systems. Their certificates of operation waivers allow for operations over the 14,000 square miles of northeastern Oregon.
Pendleton has more than 50 diverse testing environments. Range Manager Darryl Abling said that one of the favorites for infrared laser testing is the Cold Springs area.
“They have some canyons and some things up there that just lends themselves to being able to put a laser in there and have a backdrop to prevent beam scatter and things like that,” Abling said.
The companies testing their UAS systems work out agreements with landowners, who are paid for the use of their land.
