VA is Creating a New Frontier in UAS

The Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) is an FAA-designated UAS test site located in Blacksburg, Virginia. 

The test site Leverages operational capability, aviation expertise, and robust research resources to take on the most pressing technical and operational challenges in UAS integration. MAAP leads the Virginia  BEYOND team and other major federal UAS-integration efforts, and our work has consistently led to landmark permissions and operations that have advanced the industry.

They work with the FAA, federal agencies, and leading companies on fundamental research and advanced testing, bridging industry goals and regulatory priorities to develop practical, powerful, evidence-based solutions that set new precedents and lay the groundwork for expanded operations. Their rigorous approach to safety-case development has rapidly become a model for enabling new drone applications through systematic risk analysis and mitigation. 

In parallel, we are actively engaged in the development of industry standards, using data and insights drawn from their work to shape the framework that will support the evolution of this technology towards its tremendous potential.

NASA in Virginia

The UAV industry is growing rapidly, and nowhere is that more apparent than here in Virginia. NASA's Wallops Flight Facility and NASA's Langley Research Center have a rich history in flight research and operate Certificate of Authorizations (COAs) for Federal research purposes or research that involves direct industry/university partnerships with NASA or the DoD.