March 12, 2019

UAS Testing at Griffiss Taking Place March 13-15

News Photo

Aerial Testing Will Generate Harmless Smoke Plumes

ROME — A small unmanned aircraft will be operating over Griffiss International Airport in Rome March 13-15, which will result in harmless plumes of smoke emanating from behind the vehicle.

The visual tracking testing is being conducted by Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation of Warminster, Pennsylvania as part of a much larger test exercise for NASA at the Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Most of the flight operations will be conducted well above the airport at altitudes ranging from 3,000 feet to approximately 9,000 feet, making it difficult to directly observe. However, under certain conditions, residents in the area may see and hear the aircraft, along with a trail of smoke.

The smoke is a harmless substance that is typically used during aerobatic flight demonstrations at airshows. The smoke will dissipate rapidly and will not affect ground personnel or other aircraft in the area.

Oneida County Partners