Key Takeaways:
- Heinen Brothers Agra Services and Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems have received FAA approval for an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) test range.
- The test range, covering nearly 49,000 square miles across four states, will support advanced drone testing for agricultural applications.
- The grand opening, featuring test flights, will be held on August 22 at Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems in Seneca, Kansas.
- The test range aims to accelerate the commercialization of UAS technologies in agriculture through collaboration and innovation.
- The initiative highlights Kansas’ strengths in aviation and agriculture, offering opportunities for stakeholders to explore climate-friendly precision agriculture.
Grand Opening of FAA-Approved UAS Test Range
Heinen Brothers Agra Services, a leader in agricultural aerial application and firefighting, and its subsidiary Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems have been approved for a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) test range. The companies will host a grand opening event featuring test flights on August 22, 2024 to celebrate this milestone.
New Horizons in Agricultural UAS
Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, focused exclusively on the commercialization of UAS in the agricultural sector, has collaborated with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks to secure FAA approval for the test range. Covering nearly 49,000 square miles across parts of Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa, this test range offers a unique environment for advanced drone testing. The range will allow developers and manufacturers to evaluate the efficacy of their systems in a low-risk setting, facilitating faster commercialization through collaboration with key industry stakeholders.
Lukas Koch, Chief Executive Officer of Kelly Hills, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “We are excited to launch the Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems and the FAA UAS Test Range. Our goal is to become the epicenter for unmanned aerial systems in the agricultural space. Kansas has a long tradition and deep expertise in both aviation and agriculture. We seek relationships with those who want to capitalize on these assets and utilize a one-of-a-kind test range to move the agricultural industry forward.”
Event Details
The grand opening event will take place on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems, located at 1226 104th Road, Seneca, KS. The schedule includes general registration at 9 AM, a program at 10 AM, flight tests at 11 AM, and lunch to follow. The event invites customers, vendors, researchers, policymakers, agricultural industry leaders, enthusiasts, and other key individuals to participate. Attendees can RSVP on the Kelly Hills website or by emailing events@kellyhills.us.
Koch highlighted the importance of the event, saying, “Unmanned aerial application in agriculture is accelerating faster in other countries than it is here in the United States. We invite American agriculture and international players to Kansas on August 22 for an opportunity to look over the horizon, glimpse into the future, and learn more about climate-friendly precision agriculture and economically feasible agricultural unmanned aerial systems.”
Test Range Capabilities
The FAA-approved test range encompasses airspace in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa, providing facilities for testing fixed-wing, multirotor, and rotary-wing systems on ten different crops, including corn, soybeans, and milo. Test range tenants will have access to elite private and shared hangar options, enabling comprehensive testing and development.
Pioneering Agricultural Innovation
“Heinen Brothers and Kelly Hills are true leaders and pioneers in the agricultural aviation sector,” said Koch. “The company has thirty years of experience with aerial applications. This test range has the potential to drive environmentally conscious innovation, improve the safety of pilots, and change the economic dynamics for the American farmer.”
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