Schuylkill commissioners agree to apply for drone test program

Schuylkill County commissioners on Wednesday agreed to apply on behalf of the county to the Federal Aviation Administration for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integrated Pilot Program participant selection.

The government is expected to choose the locations in February.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao, at the direction of President Donald Trump, on Oct. 25 launched the initiative to test advanced operations for drones in partnership with state and local governments in select areas, according to the FAA.

The pilot program results will be used to allow drones into national airspace quickly and safely.

The program would boost the economy.

“In less than a decade, the potential economic benefit of integrated unmanned aerial systems into the nation’s airspace is estimated to equal up to $82 billion and create up to 100,000 jobs,” the FAA said.

Under the pilot program, the U.S. Department of Transportation will enter into agreements with state, local, and tribal governments to establish innovation zones for testing complex drone operations and to attempt different models for integrating drones into local airspace, according to a White House press release.

The program will accelerate testing of currently restricted drone operations, such as beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights and flights over people.

It could also allow for delivery of lifesaving medicines and commercial packages, inspections of critical infrastructure, support for emergency management operations, and surveys of crops for precision agriculture applications.

It would also increase the numbers and complexity of drone operations, and help develop regulations to govern them.

Also on Wednesday, commissioners approved a change to Service Access & Management Inc.’s purchase service agreement increasing its 2016-2017 contract to $6,671,746, a total increase of $475,127.

In other matters, the county salary board approved the transfer of two bridge crew laborers back to the maintenance crew.

The move will eliminate the two bridge positions and that of bridge crew leader, saving the county money, said Commissioners’ Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr.

The men, Randy C. Ney of Schuylkill Haven and Steven Skibiel of Cass Township, will earn $13.51 and $12.86 an hour, respectively.

The change takes effect Monday.