Legislature(2023 - 2024)BARNES 124

02/09/2023 01:00 PM House TRANSPORTATION

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Audio Topic
01:01:50 PM Start
01:03:32 PM Presentation(s): Unmanned Aircraft Systems Update
02:43:20 PM Adjourn
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
+ Presentations: TELECONFERENCED
- Dept. of Transportation & Public Facilities
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Update by Ryan Marlow,
Program Coordinator
- Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Integration by Dr. Cathy Cahill, Director
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
                    ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE                                                                                  
            HOUSE TRANSPORTATION STANDING COMMITTEE                                                                           
                        February 9, 2023                                                                                        
                           1:01 p.m.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS PRESENT                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Representative Kevin McCabe, Chair                                                                                              
Representative Sarah Vance, Vice Chair                                                                                          
Representative Tom McKay                                                                                                        
Representative Craig Johnson                                                                                                    
Representative Jesse Sumner                                                                                                     
Representative Louise Stutes                                                                                                    
Representative Genevieve Mina                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MEMBERS ABSENT                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
All members present                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
PRESENTATION(S): UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS UPDATE                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     - HEARD                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
No previous action to record                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
WITNESS REGISTER                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
RYAN MARLOW, UAS/Drone Program Coordinator                                                                                      
Division of Statewide Aviation                                                                                                  
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities                                                                       
Anchorage, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:   Presented a PowerPoint,  titled "2023 State                                                             
of  Alaska  Unmanned  Aircraft   Systems  (UAS)  &  Advanced  Air                                                               
Mobility  (AAM)," during  the  Unmanned  Aircraft Systems  Update                                                               
presentation.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
CATHY CAHILL, Director                                                                                                          
Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration                                                                         
University of Alaska Fairbanks                                                                                                  
Fairbanks, Alaska                                                                                                               
POSITION STATEMENT:  Presented a PowerPoint, titled "Flying to                                                                
the Future: Building the Drone Industry in Alaska," during the                                                                  
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Update presentation.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR SHELLEY HUGHES                                                                                                          
Alaska State Legislature                                                                                                        
Juneau, Alaska                                                                                                                  
POSITION STATEMENT:  Offered testimony  in support of the work of                                                             
ACUASI during the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Update presentation.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
ACTION NARRATIVE                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:01:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR  KEVIN  MCCABE  called the  House  Transportation  Standing                                                             
Committee  meeting  to  order  at   1:01  p.m.    Representatives                                                               
Johnson, McKay, Vance,  Stutes, Mina, and McCabe  were present at                                                               
the call to order.   Representative Sumner arrived as the meeting                                                               
was in progress.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
^PRESENTATION(S): Unmanned Aircraft Systems Update                                                                              
       PRESENTATION(S): Unmanned Aircraft Systems Update                                                                    
                                                                                                                              
1:03:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE announced  that the only order of  business would be                                                               
the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Update presentation.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
1:04:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
RYAN   MARLOW,  UAS/Drone   Program   Coordinator,  Division   of                                                               
Statewide Aviation, Department  of Transportation, explained that                                                               
via  a  PowerPoint  presentation   [hard  copy  included  in  the                                                               
committee packet],  he would  be discussing  the UAS  program and                                                               
where  the Department  of  Transportation  and Public  Facilities                                                               
[DOT&PF] is going  with the technology.  He pointed  out a screen                                                               
shot on  the first  slide, with  a picture  of an  operation that                                                               
took place in  2021 showing what the future  of unmanned aviation                                                               
in   Alaska    looks   like,   utilizing    runways,   resources,                                                               
technologies,  and  assets  to  evaluate  these  technologies  in                                                               
places  like the  Arctic, the  Aleutians, and  across the  entire                                                               
state.   Mr.  Marlow continued  on  slide 2,  titled "Alaska  UAS                                                               
Regulations,"  which shows  10 regulations  that govern  UAS use.                                                               
He  summarized  operational  guidelines,  and  that  all  related                                                               
resources can be  found on the DOT website which  is shown on the                                                               
final slide.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:06:28 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.   MARLOW   continued  on   slide   3,   titled  "Alaska   UAS                                                               
Development."  The slide shows  funding sources and partnerships,                                                               
and  he pointed  out the  UAS market  is growing  rapidly in  the                                                               
state of Alaska,  and that DOT is finding  new applications every                                                               
day for eliminating  risk factors when they can be  done by a UAS                                                               
platform.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:07:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW moved to slide 4,  titled "Alaska UAS Growth for 2022-                                                               
2023," where  he began by pointing  out that Alaska is  the first                                                               
state  in the  nation to  have  more registered  UAS than  manned                                                               
aviation.   The slide  also shows other  locations in  the United                                                               
States  where UAS  have been  deployed -  with Alaska  leading in                                                               
ratio of population to drone registrations.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:08:24 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA  inquired  about training  requirements  for                                                               
pilots to become licensed.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW  replied that currently  there are two ways  the state                                                               
licenses  operators,  and  the  Federal  Aviation  Administration                                                               
(FAA)  has posted  "part  107" which  is  the primary  commercial                                                               
licensure for the  operation of these vehicles.  The  focus is to                                                               
first get certification on the  aircraft and hands-on procedures,                                                               
and  then  students  will  jump   into  their  specific  area  of                                                               
training.  The  trainings are done annually, and  he noted DOT&PF                                                               
has seen a growth of approximately 20 pilots per year.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:10:48 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW moved  to slide 5, titled "Recreation  UAS Safety Test                                                               
(TRUST)," which  featured the latest  from the FAA for  those not                                                               
pursuing civil operations.  He  pointed out there are about 5,800                                                               
recreational fliers in Alaska, and  approximately half have taken                                                               
the "TRUST test,"  which is a free test that  is being pushed for                                                               
being a requirement for all new students.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW  proceeded to  slide 6,  titled "Alaska  UAS Technical                                                               
Working Group."   The slide  highlighted five agencies  under the                                                               
Alaska Geospatial Council  and the number of  platforms each has.                                                               
He  explained  the  benefits  include  the  sharing  of  manuals,                                                               
procedures, and integrating with communities.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
1:14:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW  moved to slide 7,  titled "DOT&PF UAS Program."   The                                                               
slide   highlighted  DOT&PF's   expansion  into   various  groups                                                               
including  avalanche  [under  Maintenance and  Operation  "M&O"],                                                               
geotechnical    groups,     airport    inspections,    hydrology,                                                               
environmental, bridge design  - to name a few.   He explained the                                                               
attrition rates, also shown on  the slide, were being compensated                                                               
for with DOT&PF's  training program, averaging a  cost savings of                                                               
about $7,000 per day.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW continued to slide  8, titled "Statewide UAS Support,"                                                               
and  pointed  out  that  all  supports  are  facilitated  through                                                               
DOT&PF's Remote  Sensing Lab.   There are  three labs  located in                                                               
Anchorage, Juneau, and  Fairbanks.  The supports  aren't only for                                                               
DOT but for other local  municipalities and, in addition, include                                                               
field support and hazmat shipping.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARLOW showed  slide 9,  titled "DoD  Blue UAS  Deployment,"                                                               
which features  a heavily  focused-on item  called Blue  UAS that                                                               
are  available for  government purchase  and  operations, and  he                                                               
explains many  of the grants  DOT&PF is  starting to see  are now                                                               
requiring Blue UAS.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:17:21 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW  moved on to  slides 10-12, titled  "Bridge Inspection                                                               
and Scanning."   Slide 10  shows part of an  "underbelly process"                                                               
in which inspections  and imagery can be done  by the perspective                                                               
of looking  up.   Slide 11 features  thermal loading,  where dead                                                               
concrete can be  spotted in the imagery, providing  a better look                                                               
at the infrastructure.  Slide  12 highlights digitizing as high a                                                               
resolution as  possible and  the processing  of three-dimensional                                                               
(3D) data that reveals flaws not otherwise visible.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:20:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARLOW   moved  to  slide  13,   titled  "Autonomous  Bridge                                                               
Inspection and  Scanning," showing  a 3D model  of a  bridge that                                                               
had been scanned.   The erosion in the timber  is visible through                                                               
this  high-resolution  data.   The  data  also evaluates  if  the                                                               
bridge  is  sound, needs  updated  maintenance,  or needs  to  be                                                               
closed.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARLOW continued  to  slides 14  and  15, titled  "Avalanche                                                               
Mapping and Monitoring."   He summarized that the  ability to fly                                                               
these systems in  various areas can result in  detecting how deep                                                               
the snow  is and  where mitigation  may need to  occur.   He also                                                               
explained some of  the avalanche chutes are remote,  so this year                                                               
DOT&PF will  be deploying remote systems  for real-time feedback.                                                               
He  mentioned  geographic   information  systems  (GIS)  creating                                                               
digital models - and the importance of remote-sensing data.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:23:04 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.   MARLOW   continued   to    slide   16,   titled   "Aviation                                                               
Infrastructure Monitoring and GIS,"  where he explained the slide                                                               
shows why DOT&PF  is heavily focused on GIS.   The slide featured                                                               
pictures of  airport projects,  relating to  pavement conditions,                                                               
vegetation encroachments, and transparency of project funding.                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW  moved on to  slide 17,  titled "AI Crack  Detection &                                                               
Pavement Condition Index (PCI)."   He pointed out that with drone                                                               
data  and   GIS  is  the   ability  to  start   using  artificial                                                               
intelligence (AI).   The imagery on the slide  shows detection of                                                               
the current status of runways and asphalts.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
1:25:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE VANCE asked  if Mr. Marlow is aware  of the fiscal                                                               
impact  with this  amount of  data storage  and possible  sharing                                                               
between departments and  whether there is a current  "ask" in the                                                               
budget.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW confirmed that has been  a big item on data governance                                                               
on the  UAS side as  to what data  to keep, discard,  or archive,                                                               
and DOT&PF  is paying close  attention to these data  formats and                                                               
what is most valuable.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
1:26:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA  asked  what  the  current  limits  on  data                                                               
storage are.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.   MARLOW  replied   the   only   limitations  are   bandwidth                                                               
capabilities.  He explained DOT&PF  has the storage in Cloud, but                                                               
Alaska does  not have a  dedicated Cloud storage service,  so the                                                               
data  has to  head to  Washington  or Oregon  to be  stored.   He                                                               
stated this as  being part of the  big push to GIS  to manage all                                                               
the data.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:28:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE   VANCE  questioned   the  data   showing  various                                                               
vulnerabilities in  infrastructures and asked if  there are added                                                               
security measure to protect the data.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARLOW replied  that DOT&PF  has  been spending  significant                                                               
time with  the State of  Alaska Office of  Information Technology                                                               
(OIT) regarding  Cloud migration  and supporting the  security of                                                               
the data, with consideration of  whether data needs to be secured                                                               
or  put into  different environments.   He  explained he  can get                                                               
more information from  OIT, and he reiterated that  security is a                                                               
critical area.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW returned  to the PowerPoint, to slide  18, which shows                                                               
Sandpoint Airport  [post-earthquake], and the ability  to capture                                                               
environments  such  as  runway damage  not  visible  without  the                                                               
technology.  He pointed out the timeliness and cost-                                                                            
effectiveness of  using the imagery  versus paying for a  crew to                                                               
go out and inspect.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:30:46 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARLOW  moved   on  to  slide  19,   titled  "Statewide  UAS                                                               
Livestream and  Cloud Processing."   He  stressed the  search and                                                               
rescue side  and evaluating the  use of  lower-orbit technologies                                                               
and  the ability  to  livestream  using the  Cloud  process.   He                                                               
explained that  when disasters  occur, the  data is  processed in                                                               
real time via the Cloud.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARLOW  proceeded  to  slide   20,  titled  "Traffic  Safety                                                               
Intelligent  Transportation Systems  (ITS),"  where he  explained                                                               
"reality  captures"   being  the   primary  theme   and  DOT&PF's                                                               
partnerships with  other agencies to  deploy the UAS  to increase                                                               
scanning speeds for larger scenes such as traffic accidents.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARLOW  moved  to  slide 21,  titled  "Alaska  Rural  Remote                                                               
Operations Workplan (ARROW)."   He explained the  State of Alaska                                                               
is pursuing  a DOT&PF Strengthening Mobility  and Revolutionizing                                                               
Transportation (SMART)  grant for deploying the  systems to rural                                                               
communities.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARLOW   continued  to  slide   22,  titled   "Advanced  Air                                                               
Mobility," which  he noted would  lead into the  next presenter's                                                               
segment.   He described  advanced air mobility  as the  impact of                                                               
"next-gen" services  - taking everything that  is currently known                                                               
about airspace  and tackling  it with  technology.   He continued                                                               
his  explanation on  advanced air  mobility on  slide 23,  titled                                                               
"FAA Alaska  Aviation Safety Initiative  (FAASI)," and  noted the                                                               
technology could also enhance many aeronautical-based programs.                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR.   MARLOW  brought   attention  to   slide  24,   titled  "AAM                                                               
Development  and Planning,"  where he  explained that  DOT&PF had                                                               
started  planning  with advance  air  mobility,  many aspects  of                                                               
aviation    and   airspace,    and,   most    notably,   wireless                                                               
infrastructure connectivity.   The  goal is  to bring  these many                                                               
aspects into one safe environment.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW  proceeded to slide  25, titled "AAM GAP  Analysis and                                                               
Transportation  System," which  shows many  areas in  Alaska that                                                               
are  all dependent  on aviation.   He  quoted the  FAA describing                                                               
Alaska   as  having   "its  own   airspace,"   and  on   resource                                                               
development,  he noted  airspace may  become Alaska's  next large                                                               
resource.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
1:36:38 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MINA requested to return  to slide 23, titled "FAA                                                               
Alaska Aviation  Safety Initiative  (FAASI)," and asked  for more                                                               
information  about the  top safety  concerns and  how the  safety                                                               
outreach is going.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW replied  that the FAA started the process  in 2020 and                                                               
has  conducted meetings  via Teams  and reached  out to  industry                                                               
stakeholders focusing on the primary  slides in the presentation.                                                               
The  FAASI team  has "set  the  footprint" for  DOT to  recognize                                                               
known problems  - and  what is  done to correct  them.   He noted                                                               
this gathered  information is available  as a  published document                                                               
as well, and  he offered to send it to  the committee for further                                                               
review.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
1:3755 PM                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW  continued the presentation  on slide 26,  titled "AAM                                                               
Rural  Broadband  Connectivity,"  and he  explained  the  testing                                                               
being done  throughout the state of  Alaska.  He stated  that the                                                               
systems,  while  working, are  "not  quite  there yet,"  but  the                                                               
potential   they    offer   for   surveillance    and   real-time                                                               
communications, he opined, is outstanding.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
1:39:09 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR.  MARLOW  moved  to  slide  27,  titled  "Alaska  Continuously                                                               
Operating  Reference  Network  (ACORN)," which  featured  another                                                               
project where  DOT is partnering  with the Department  of Natural                                                               
Resources (DNR) to help push a  state wide reference network.  He                                                               
continued to  slide 28, titled  "AAM Technology  Deployment," and                                                               
highlighted two areas  DOT&PF would like to evaluate  some of the                                                               
"next-gen" technologies:  Deadhorse, Alaska, and  Bethel, Alaska.                                                               
He  then  concluded with  slide  29,  titled  "Alaska UAS  &  AAM                                                               
Resources."     He  briefly  summarized  the   intention  of  the                                                               
PowerPoint and pointed out contact information on the slide.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:41:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MINA  questioned if there  has been any  impact on                                                               
the  land   surveying  workforce  due  to   progress  with  drone                                                               
technology.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW replied absolutely; the  land survey paved the way for                                                               
many of these technologies.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA  addressed  the  data  being  collected  and                                                               
questioned  how  any  privacy concerns  are  being  addressed  by                                                               
DOT&PF.                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW  responded that all  the data is being  collected, and                                                               
as  for  privacy, the  prime  focus  is on  individual  projects,                                                               
primarily infrastructure projects.                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MINA  asked  how  DOT&PF would  address  a  drone                                                               
flying away.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
1:44:30 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. MARLOW replied his position  was created around managing that                                                               
situation.   He explained DOT&PF  is working with  systems deemed                                                               
not  "air-worthy," and  a  significant amount  of  time is  spent                                                               
testing and  creating failure environments  to ensure  the safety                                                               
and reliability of the systems.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:46:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CATHY  CAHILL,  Director,  Alaska Center  for  Unmanned  Aircraft                                                               
Systems  Integration (ACUASI),  University  of Alaska  Fairbanks,                                                               
said she would update the committee  on the works of ACUASI.  She                                                               
began by showing an approximate  3-minute overview video which is                                                               
part  of the  "Empower  Alaska" campaign  for  the University  of                                                               
Alaska.  She proceeded with  a PowerPoint presentation [hard copy                                                               
included in the committee packet],  titled "Flying to the Future:                                                               
Building  the Drone  Industry in  Alaska."   She showed  a slide,                                                               
titled  "ACUASI," which  highlighted  the mission  of ACUASI  to:                                                               
assist the FAA with the  safe integration of drones into national                                                               
airspaces;  support  Alaska drone  users  and  the industry;  and                                                               
conduct  scientific  research.   She  noted  that the  scientific                                                               
research is part of the University of Alaska system.                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
1:52:59 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL  moved on to  a slide that explained  ACUASI's overall                                                               
goal, titled "Goal - Complete  Integration of Drones Systems with                                                               
Traditional Aircraft in the National  Airspace System."  She then                                                               
proceeded to the next slide, titled  "Who Are We?"  She explained                                                               
the   combination   and   diversity  of   individuals   including                                                               
academics, military  veterans, pilots,  and more means  ACUASI is                                                               
bringing  the "best  and brightest"  together from  all different                                                               
directions for a common purpose.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
1:55:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE  MCKAY referred  back to  slide 4,  which shows  a                                                               
cargo plane and  a drone on the same airfield  in Inuvik, Canada.                                                               
He asked what Canada can do, that the U.S. cannot do.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
1:56:02 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  CAHILL explained  that in  the  U.S., the  FAA is  concerned                                                               
about losing "link" with aircraft.   In Canada there are not such                                                               
restrictions, and drones  can be flown further.   She said ACUASI                                                               
is working on detection technology.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1:58:50 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE asked  if Ms. Cahill just received an  FAA letter or                                                               
waiver regarding line of sight.                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
1:59:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL responded ACUASI just  received a waiver to some rules                                                               
and regulations for  larger aircraft.  She explained  there is an                                                               
established level  of trust  with the FAA,  resulting in  the FAA                                                               
giving additional permissions.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:01:11 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE  commented on  working close  with big  box delivery                                                               
companies and delivering packages via drones.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
MS.  CAHILL confirmed  ACUASI  is  tied in  with  several of  the                                                               
delivery  companies  but the  "last  mile  delivery" is  not  the                                                               
focus; delivery the  last hundreds of miles  to rural communities                                                               
is.                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
2:02:35 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  CAHILL  continued  to  the   next  slide,  titled  "ACUASI's                                                               
Military Experience,"  and explained the importance  of having an                                                               
operational  team  that  understands  aviation  safety  but  also                                                               
understands "completing the missions."                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL  moved on to  the next slide, titled  "FAA Recognition                                                               
of ACUASI's Expertise."  She  quickly proceeded to the next slide                                                               
with  the same  title and  explained  the expansion  of areas  of                                                               
recognition by the FAA.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL  continued to the  next slide, titled  "BVLOS Aviation                                                               
Rulemaking  Committee."    The  focus being  how  the  rules  and                                                               
regulations  will allow  for advanced  air mobility.   She  noted                                                               
ACUASI is  not just a  drone program, it comprises  aviators, who                                                               
want to defend the Alaska way of life.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
2:05:22 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL  moved to  the next  slide, titled  "Partners Beyond,"                                                               
that featured the  many partners of ACUASI.  She  moved on to the                                                               
next  slide, titled  "ACUASI Strategic  Planning," and  explained                                                               
there  were  a  series  of strategic  planning  efforts,  and  in                                                               
addition,  16  stakeholders  from   across  Alaska  were  brought                                                               
together to  discuss the creation  of a drone economy  in Alaska.                                                               
Continuing  to  the next  slide,  titled  "What Really  Makes  Us                                                               
Different,"  she  explained  that   ACUASI  is  looking  to  pick                                                               
something  that works  for Alaska,  and will  "test anything  for                                                               
anyone."   She  said  the  Beyond Visual  Line  Of Sight  (BVLOS)                                                               
challenge must  be broken.   The  goal is  for the  long distance                                                               
missions to be able to get accomplished.                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
2:08:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  CAHILL  moved  to  the  next  slide,  titled  "Advanced  Air                                                               
Mobility."  She  began by pointing out ACUASI was  told it is the                                                               
leader for  advanced air mobility  in the United States,  and she                                                               
proceeded  to  name projects  not  only  in  Alaska but  also  in                                                               
California.   She  proceeded  to the  next  slide, titled  "Cargo                                                               
Delivery," where she made a point  of the goal being to fly where                                                               
traditional aircraft cannot and to  help alleviate the effects of                                                               
pilot shortage.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:11:07 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.   CAHILL  moved   to  the   next  slide,   titled  "Fairbanks                                                               
International Airport."   She  noted ACUASI has  a hangar  at the                                                               
airport in preparation  for future operations.   She continued to                                                               
the next  slide, titled  "Large Drone  (DRS Sentry)  at Fairbanks                                                               
International Airport."  The slide shows  a date of May 22, 2022,                                                               
as  being the  date  of  the first  operations  at the  Fairbanks                                                               
International Airport.  She explained  the drone was described by                                                               
a  standard   flight  instructor   as  "acting  like   any  other                                                               
aircraft."   She  moved to  the  next slide,  titled "Next  Step:                                                               
Fairbanks  to  Nenana,"  regarding  the next  step  for  ACUASI's                                                               
larger aircraft.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:13:10 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  CAHILL  continued  to  the   next  slide,  titled  "Emerging                                                               
Technology  Test Ranges."   The  slide highlights  ACUASI's three                                                               
emerging technology  test ranges:  the  Nenana Municipal Airport,                                                               
the Palmer Municipal Airport, and  the Valdez Airport.  She noted                                                               
the  ability to  test under  Arctic conditions  as crucial.   She                                                               
moved on  to the next  slide, titled "Nenana  Municipal Airport,"                                                               
where  ACUASI is  in  the  process of  building  a  hangar.   She                                                               
pointed  out that  Nenana  and  Fairbanks are  both  on the  road                                                               
system and are good stepping stones to other communities.                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:15:03 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL moved  to the next slide, titled "Hot  off the Press!"                                                               
She explained in February, ACUASI  received the first ever waiver                                                               
granted  by the  FAA  that  expanded the  ability  to help  drone                                                               
manufacturers  get  their  aircraft   approved  for  use  in  the                                                               
National Airspace System.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
2:17:41 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL moved  on to the next slide, titled  "DAA System: User                                                               
Interface."  The  focus of AQUASI is "detect  and avoid testing."                                                               
The slide shows  an aerial visual of where testing  is done.  The                                                               
next slide,  titled "Pipeline  Monitoring," reflects  that ACUASI                                                               
will  be doing  many  operations.   The  following slide,  titled                                                               
"Experience  Flying   Large  Drones  BVLOS  -   Transport  Canada                                                               
Operations," highlights ACUASI's work with Transport Canada.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:19:49 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL continued  to the next slide, which shows  an image of                                                               
open  water,  and   she  explained  the  drone   is  spotting  an                                                               
underwater whale  that cannot be  spotted by  the human eye.   On                                                               
the following  slide, Ms. Cahill  pointed out the  enhanced image                                                               
of the whale taken  by the drone, and that the  type of whale and                                                               
gender can also be determined from the image.                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:21:05 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS.  CAHILL  proceeded  to  the   next  slide,  titled  "Disaster                                                               
Response."  The focus being  how to communicate during a disaster                                                               
and  how to  deal with  disasters  with maximum  effect with  the                                                               
limited resources  available.   She moved on  to the  next slide,                                                               
titled  "Counter-drone (FAA,  DOG, DHS,...),"  and she  explained                                                               
the function  of a counter-drone is  to be able to  spot, detect,                                                               
track,  identify,  and/or  mitigate drones  that  have  clueless,                                                               
criminal, or careless intent.                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
2:25:32 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL continued  to the next slide,  titled "Education," and                                                               
being part of the University  of Alaska, she explained, education                                                               
is  key.    All  the   universities  are  working  on  developing                                                               
curriculum   that    will   also   include    distance   learning                                                               
opportunities.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
2:28:14 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL  moved to the next  slide, titled "What's Next?"   She                                                               
summarized some of the projects  and missions that ACUASI will be                                                               
part of in  the following six months.  She  proceeded to the next                                                               
slide  with the  same title,  and explained  ACUASI will  also be                                                               
conducting many  counter-drone campaigns outside of  Alaska under                                                               
different conditions.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
2:30:31 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL continued  to the next slide, titled "Update  on FY 23                                                               
Funding," where  she began  by stating  her appreciation  for the                                                               
influx  of funding  for  fiscal  year 2023  (FY  23)  to lay  the                                                               
foundation  for the  drone economy,  which  also encompassed  the                                                               
hiring of  faculty and  instructors.  She  continued to  the next                                                               
slide with the  same title, and she noted  the special permission                                                               
under  the FAA's  BEYOND program  to push  the boundaries  on the                                                               
visual  line of  sight  and reiterated  the  assistance with  the                                                               
longer distance cargo deliveries.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
2:33:21 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL  continued on  the next slide,  titled "FY  24 Funding                                                               
Request,"  where she  stressed the  importance of  programs being                                                               
developed  for  high  school  students and  the  hope  for  their                                                               
retention in  Alaska.  She continued  on the next slide  with the                                                               
same  title, now  focusing on  the  three previously  highlighted                                                               
technology test ranges for anticipated testing.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
2:35:06 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL  moved on to  the next slide, titled  "ACUASI's Future                                                               
Impact on Alaska's Drone Economy,"  reiterating the goals to lead                                                               
the way  in the  safe integration  of drones  in Alaska  and what                                                               
that will encompass.  She then offered to answer questions.                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:37:12 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
REPRESENTATIVE MINA  asked if there  are more companies  that are                                                               
gravitating and investing in drone technologies in Alaska.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
MS. CAHILL responded that many  companies have expressed interest                                                               
in moving branches up to Alaska.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
2:39:39 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HUGHES added commentary in support of ACUASI's work.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
2:41:43 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CHAIR MCCABE,  in closing,  urged Ms. Cahill  to open  a dialogue                                                               
with Wasilla High School to  engage the students in this emerging                                                               
technology.                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
2:43:20 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
ADJOURNMENT                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
There being no  further business before the  committee, the House                                                               
Transportation Standing  Committee meeting was adjourned  at 2:43                                                               
p.m.                                                                                                                            

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
(H)TRA UAS presentation 02.09.23.pdf HTRA 2/9/2023 1:00:00 PM
DOT&PF UAS Presentation 2.9.23
(H)TRA ACUASI Presentation 02.09.23.pdf HTRA 2/9/2023 1:00:00 PM
(H)TRA ACUASI Presentation 02.09.23