Drones could benefit Clear Lake

THE CHRON: From rebuilding airplanes during World War I, to the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Clear Lake, Texas has always been a national leader in aerospace and aviation. Now Texas is poised to lead toward a new horizon, and boost our economy and create jobs in the process.

Earlier this year, Congress passed, and President Obama signed into law, legislation requiring the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into our national airspace by 2015. As part of this process, the FAA will designate six test sites around the country for the development of UAS.

States are eagerly formulating proposals to bid for one of these designations, which would undoubtedly bring with it significant investment from aerospace companies. As the FAA considers the proposals, Texas' resume would be tough to beat.

First, Texas is already pioneering real-world applications for UAS. The Arlington Police Department is testing and developing this technology for specific missions such as search and rescue, natural disaster recovery and documenting crime scenes. These systems provide much of the capability of a traditional manned aircraft at a fraction of the cost, saving taxpayer dollars.

Second, Texas already has a thriving aerospace industry, which would only grow and create new jobs with an FAA test site. A 2011 report by the Governor's Economic Development and Tourism office maintains that our state's aerospace and aviation industry directly employs approximately 200,000 workers at 1,665 companies. The opportunity for additional growth is ripe. In fact, the Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF), spearheaded by Gov. Rick Perry and established by the Texas Legislature to help attract new jobs and investment to the state, has infused nearly $44.5 million into aerospace-related projects.

We also have significant home-grown talent. The University of Houston and Texas Southern University are two of the state's universities invested in aerospace and aviation-related research and development. In all, the state has 23 university aeronautical programs, 36 public high schools offering aeronautical courses and 13 FAA-approved aviation maintenance technology schools, according to the governor's report.

To lead in unmanned aircraft development would be to remain at the forefront of an industry poised for considerable growth. In 2010, the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the trade association for UAS manufacturers and operators, estimated that the incorporation of unmanned aircraft into national airspace would result in 23,000 new jobs by 2025. And these are high-paying jobs. Translating into roughly $106.6 million in wages each year, these jobs include UAS pilots, systems engineers and maintenance specialists, among others. These highly skilled positions have starting salaries of around $55,000 per year and many have the potential to increase to upward of $100,000-plus per year.

A test site would not just be bringing jobs to Texas, but jobs advancing a technology that could greatly benefit society. Unmanned aircraft can safely fly through smoke-filled skies to help firefighters battle wildfires. They are flying through hurricanes, giving scientists a never-before-seen look into the storms and allowing them to better predict their paths and potentially save lives. Energy companies want them to efficiently survey pipelines, power lines and other infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of manned flights. The potential applications of this technology are limitless.

The FAA is expected to announce the winners of the test sites later this year. Texas should put forward a strong bid to create new jobs, economic growth and continue our state's tradition as an aviation leader as we enter this new era of flight.

Harris is the president of the Lone Star Chapter of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.