Dec. 12, 2015 – INTERNATIONAL DRONE EXPO, Los Angeles, CA – The Aerodrome and its partner, the City of Boulder City, NV, announced today the world’s first commercial droneport and teaching facility in Boulder City, NV. A droneport is a facility tailored specifically to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Unlike other planned droneport projects previously announced, The Aerodrome’s Eldorado Droneport has already broken ground, is fully funded, permanent in nature and currently operational three days a week. This history-making project is the work of Aerodrome and the City of Boulder City, who are working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for formal approval.
“Unmanned air systems are inherently different from manned aircraft and require a whole new type of expertise in order to be executed safely,” said Jonathan Daniels, president of The Aerodrome. “This historic development has far-reaching implications, and will bring with it new aviation business opportunities, jobs and a profound new reputation for the U.S. as the world’s leader in Unmanned Aircraft Systems.”
“There are currently over 2,500 companies in the U.S. with FAA 333 exemption to fly commercial drones, and only one place in the world where they are catered to and not simply accommodated. This droneport is the model for the rest of the country, if not the world.”
The 50-acre Eldorado Droneport is located approximately 28 miles from the Las Vegas Strip in Boulder City, NV; one of only six FAA-designated UAS test sites in the country. Aerodrome is also environmentally conscious and plans to generate its own solar power to operate the massive facility.
“This is an exciting day for the City of Boulder City and the State of Nevada, to be the site of and partner with Aerodrome on the world’s first commercial droneport,” said Brok Armantrout, director, Community Development Department, City of Boulder City. “As one of only six FAA-approved UAS test sites in the country, we are more than prepared to meet the expectations that will come with being the world’s first droneport, and we welcome those opportunities enthusiastically.”
The Eldorado Droneport, which is open to the public but privately operated, offers training for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS); provides FAA repairman and pilot certification and testing; and offers a variety of other educational, research and development services. E-learning programs are currently taught from the Aerodrome campus in Henderson, NV as well as hosting satellite programs for participants not able to attend in person. The droneport can support civil entities with section 333s and special airworthiness certificates. It will also support hobby and recreational model aircraft flight, including specially-made drone racing courses.
The global commercial UAS market size is expected to reach $2.07 billion by 2022, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. (Aug. 2015).
ABOUT THE AERODROME
The Aerodrome, LLC is a for profit partnership formed by Base 11 and Praxis Aerospace Concepts International (PACI). Through its teaching airports, Aerodrome will advance the UAS industry by providing highly qualified, job ready graduates, that can begin careers in both UAS flight and maintenance.
Base 11 is a DBA of the Center for Innovations in Education, a non-profit 501(c)(3) whose mission is to build a sustainable middle class in the United States by empowering high potential, low resource students to become the STEM workforce and STEM entrepreneurs of the 21st century.
Praxis Aerospace Concepts International (PACI) is a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB). An autonomous systems research company, PACI uses proprietary technology, unique team domain expertise, and unique partnerships to develop practical solutions for multi-modal (ground-air-sea-industrial) robotics and unmanned systems (UxS) in laboratory and field facilities.
For more information, please visit www.flyaerodrome.com
# # # #
