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Proctor: Benson site ideal for UAS test, development site
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| Guest speaker: Jerry V. Proctor, Deputy to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca, left, talks to Kevin Oberg of Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group at the Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce breakfast mixer on Thursday. As the event's keynote speaker, Proctor talked about the Arizona Commerce Authority's interest in using the Benson airport for an Unmanned Aerial Systems site which, if approved by the FAA, would bring high paying jobs and economic opportunities to the Benson area. (Dana Cole/Photo.) |
Dana Cole/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
Jerry V. Proctor, Deputy to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca, drew a large crowd of community leaders and business professionals during the chamber of commerce monthly breakfast meeting on Thursday.
Proctor, who had been invited to speak at the Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce breakfast mixer by chamber executive director Marc Washington, Sr., delivered a presentation about Unmanned Aerial System, or UAS, projects and the Federal Aviation Association's effort to find a future UAS test and development site, with Benson a possible location.
"Nine months ago, the Arizona Commerce Authority set up a subcommittee to look at possible airspace sites in Arizona for UAS development and testing," Proctor said. Out of all the criteria considered in the matrix, the Benson area was identified as the number one site in Arizona.
While the designation is exciting news for Benson, steps need to be taken to attract potential contractors to the area, as the UAS program is highly competitive.
Brad Hamilton, a city engineer who serves as the airport manager, said the Benson Municipal Airport has been approached about UAS projects for about five years now. "It's an extremely competitive field," Hamilton said. "Other small airports in rural areas are trying to attract UAS projects for the same reasons that we want them."
The next step is to bring the Arizona Commerce Authority to Benson to showcase what the airport and surrounding area have to offer a potential UAS project.
"So, how do we get in the winner's circle?" Proctor asked during his presentation. "The FAA has to make a decision in less than 180 days about where the next test site will be." With time running down, Proctor advises the community to take a unified approach in attracting UAS opportunities to the area. "We need an Arizona-wide team," Proctor said. He urged residents and community leaders to contact legislators and talk to them about the benefits the Benson area offers UAS projects, to include the unrestricted airspace surrounding the Benson Municipal Airport, along with the region's ideal electromagnetic environment. In addition, the positive economic impact the project would bring to the community is huge, Proctor noted.
"The FAA has 180 days from Dec. 31, 2011 to select sites for UAS development," said Hamilton. "Currently, the City of Benson is working with the City of Sierra Vista, Cochise College, University of Arizona South, Northrup Grumman and the Arizona Commerce Authority to make the project happen for Benson." Because the area north of Benson has a tremendous amount of open space with few people or structures, Hamilton believes it makes an ideal location for the UAS designation.
In addition, 9,000 soldiers have trained in UAS activities at Fort Huachuca, Proctor said. "There is no other location in the United States that has more UAS expertise than Southeast Arizona," he added.
The Arizona Commerce Authority report recommends getting state and national leaders involved in the UAS site designation process. "We need a unified Benson and county action team with objectives and timelines in place," Proctor said.
"Take the controls of your future. You need to come up with a unified plan," he added. "One of the things we're considering, is we're looking to establish an UAS summit in this area."
If a UAS project does come to Benson, the positive economic impact it would have on the community would be huge. Current plans are to try and get the Arizona Commerce Authority to visit Benson and see firsthand what the municipal airport and surrounding area have to offer. In order to accomplish that, the town must work together, Proctor said. "The FAA comes with money. If you are designated as a test range, there are a lot of things that need to be thought through; the more you prepare and market for activity, the more economic development will come to this area."
Following Proctor's presentation, Kevin Oberg, a member of the Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group, said, when you know nothing about this, you really appreciate the information. We really need to communicate with our legislators to get them on board with this, and we need to do it quickly," Oberg said. "It's all about 21st century technology and that's where the business is."
Several city council members attended the meeting, which was held at Butterfield RV Resort. "This is a really big deal for Benson," said Benson City Councilman Ron Brooks. "This would be an amazing opportunity for Benson if a UAS project started up here."
Fast Facts provided by the Arizona Commerce Authority subcommittee:
The military has been identified as the largest industry in the state of Arizona.
$3.3 billion direct, and an additional $5.8 billion in indirect economic impacts are correlated with the military's presence and its operations.
Aerospace and Defense have been targeted by the Arizona Commerce Authority as one of the primary opportunities for economic development.
The FAA has less than 180 days to designate a new UAS test site.
Arizona must actively seek such a designation.
Jerry V. Proctor, Deputy to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca, drew a large crowd of community leaders and business professionals during the chamber of commerce monthly breakfast meeting on Thursday.
Proctor, who had been invited to speak at the Benson/San Pedro Valley Chamber of Commerce breakfast mixer by chamber executive director Marc Washington, Sr., delivered a presentation about Unmanned Aerial System, or UAS, projects and the Federal Aviation Association's effort to find a future UAS test and development site, with Benson a possible location.
"Nine months ago, the Arizona Commerce Authority set up a subcommittee to look at possible airspace sites in Arizona for UAS development and testing," Proctor said. Out of all the criteria considered in the matrix, the Benson area was identified as the number one site in Arizona.
While the designation is exciting news for Benson, steps need to be taken to attract potential contractors to the area, as the UAS program is highly competitive.
Brad Hamilton, a city engineer who serves as the airport manager, said the Benson Municipal Airport has been approached about UAS projects for about five years now. "It's an extremely competitive field," Hamilton said. "Other small airports in rural areas are trying to attract UAS projects for the same reasons that we want them."
The next step is to bring the Arizona Commerce Authority to Benson to showcase what the airport and surrounding area have to offer a potential UAS project.
"So, how do we get in the winner's circle?" Proctor asked during his presentation. "The FAA has to make a decision in less than 180 days about where the next test site will be." With time running down, Proctor advises the community to take a unified approach in attracting UAS opportunities to the area. "We need an Arizona-wide team," Proctor said. He urged residents and community leaders to contact legislators and talk to them about the benefits the Benson area offers UAS projects, to include the unrestricted airspace surrounding the Benson Municipal Airport, along with the region's ideal electromagnetic environment. In addition, the positive economic impact the project would bring to the community is huge, Proctor noted.
"The FAA has 180 days from Dec. 31, 2011 to select sites for UAS development," said Hamilton. "Currently, the City of Benson is working with the City of Sierra Vista, Cochise College, University of Arizona South, Northrup Grumman and the Arizona Commerce Authority to make the project happen for Benson." Because the area north of Benson has a tremendous amount of open space with few people or structures, Hamilton believes it makes an ideal location for the UAS designation.
In addition, 9,000 soldiers have trained in UAS activities at Fort Huachuca, Proctor said. "There is no other location in the United States that has more UAS expertise than Southeast Arizona," he added.
The Arizona Commerce Authority report recommends getting state and national leaders involved in the UAS site designation process. "We need a unified Benson and county action team with objectives and timelines in place," Proctor said.
"Take the controls of your future. You need to come up with a unified plan," he added. "One of the things we're considering, is we're looking to establish an UAS summit in this area."
If a UAS project does come to Benson, the positive economic impact it would have on the community would be huge. Current plans are to try and get the Arizona Commerce Authority to visit Benson and see firsthand what the municipal airport and surrounding area have to offer. In order to accomplish that, the town must work together, Proctor said. "The FAA comes with money. If you are designated as a test range, there are a lot of things that need to be thought through; the more you prepare and market for activity, the more economic development will come to this area."
Following Proctor's presentation, Kevin Oberg, a member of the Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group, said, when you know nothing about this, you really appreciate the information. We really need to communicate with our legislators to get them on board with this, and we need to do it quickly," Oberg said. "It's all about 21st century technology and that's where the business is."
Several city council members attended the meeting, which was held at Butterfield RV Resort. "This is a really big deal for Benson," said Benson City Councilman Ron Brooks. "This would be an amazing opportunity for Benson if a UAS project started up here."
Fast Facts provided by the Arizona Commerce Authority subcommittee:
The military has been identified as the largest industry in the state of Arizona.
$3.3 billion direct, and an additional $5.8 billion in indirect economic impacts are correlated with the military's presence and its operations.
Aerospace and Defense have been targeted by the Arizona Commerce Authority as one of the primary opportunities for economic development.
The FAA has less than 180 days to designate a new UAS test site.
Arizona must actively seek such a designation.
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
Hopeful but realistic wrote on Jan 25, 2012 3:31 PM:
" This would be a great thing for Benson but I am confident that we will find some way to mess it up. We have become very good at scaring away tech industry jobs and money. "
Rick wrote on Jan 26, 2012 1:37 PM:
" Not to play devil’s advocate here but what’s the potential downside? Will these drones be test firing live ordinance- will there be civilian oversight, how many local jobs will the program create, etc? You gave us the good stuff in this story –now give us the low down. "
Ronny wrote on Jan 28, 2012 8:41 AM:
" I live North of Benson..... & that makes me wonder about the "low population" remark. What's the implication ? And what about "local" economic boost ? Will "local" people get new jobs ? Or do you mean "outsiders" will bring money into Benson ? "
Sam wrote on Jan 28, 2012 1:43 PM:
" Even if it is "outsiders" bringing the money into Benson, their money will be spent here at businesses in Benson. When the businesses in Benson see more profits, they can expand. This would cause more jobs for "local" people. Also, people would likely relocate to Benson. Then when they spend their money they would be "local" people. "
Barbara wrote on Jan 31, 2012 12:46 PM:
" It is my understanding that these drone two-cycle engines are very noisy. Do we really want to promote industries that negatively impact the same values that we who live and work rurally value and cherish? The promoters of this project need to understand the reality that since "the area north of Benson has a tremendous amount of open space with few people or structures", it also provides a place for wildlife and traditional rural livelihoods. There are some natural resources that are too rare now to sacrifice without serious consequences. Let's hear more about the impact of this on the "unrestricted air space"--and the citizens and critters who live below. How many? How often? How far? "
Ross wrote on Feb 7, 2012 1:56 PM:
" To clear up some misconceptions above:
1) Live ordnance, or anything for that matter, cannot be fired or dropped from any aircraft unless it is in a Restricted Area (RA) that is designated for such activity. The closest RA for this kind of activity is the Barry Goldwater Range east of Yuma.
2) Unmanned Aircraft have electric, diesel, turbine, 2-cycle, 4-cycle and jet engines. Most are VERY quiet.
3) UAS are the most closely watched segment of aviation. They are not allowed to "spy" on US Citizens. "
1) Live ordnance, or anything for that matter, cannot be fired or dropped from any aircraft unless it is in a Restricted Area (RA) that is designated for such activity. The closest RA for this kind of activity is the Barry Goldwater Range east of Yuma.
2) Unmanned Aircraft have electric, diesel, turbine, 2-cycle, 4-cycle and jet engines. Most are VERY quiet.
3) UAS are the most closely watched segment of aviation. They are not allowed to "spy" on US Citizens. "
Martha wrote on Jan 25, 2012 3:05 PM: