Kansas Republican Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran hosted the Kansas Association of Airports Federal Legislative Issues Roundtable, Feb. 9 at the K-State Salina campus.
Kansas aviation leaders attended the roundtable moderated by Salina Airport Authority Executive Director Tim Rogers, A.A.E. K-State students and members of the Kansas aviation and Salina communities observed the discussion of Kansas aviation needs.
Discussions included an FAA Reauthorization Bill, unmanned aerial system use particularly for precision agriculture, the Federal Contract Tower Program, Essential Air Service and sequestration budget cuts.
Aviation leaders spoke of the struggle to maintain and grow their facilities on the current funding. Moran said since the U.S. population is continuing to rise the time for transportation growth is now.
"UAS have a tremendous potential to aid farmers and ranchers for precision agriculture," said Roberts. "If we are going to have to feed 9 billion people down the road this is absolutely essential."
K-State students listened attentively as their future careers in unmanned aerial systems were discussed. The senators discussed Congress' ability to assist the FAA with the implementation of regulations for commercial use of UAS. Roberts, Chairman of House Agriculture Committee, expressed his intention to "boost the process along." The roundtable participants discussed the safety and privacy concerns inherent to the use of these systems.
"It would be easy to become a cheerleader for UAS in the state and nation," said Moran, "but we are reminded that there are challenges that have to be dealt with before integration."
The Kansas Association of Airport works to improve and discuss their current and future plans involving aviation. These meetings promote and encourage the passage of legislation on all levels for the good of Kansas airports and aviation. The KAA provides a medium for the exchange of ideas, methods, information and experience as they relate to airport management and operations.
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