b"32 SGH OPERATIONScity of Springfield started exploring opportunities with the Daytonbased detect-and-avoidance radar system called SkyVision. It is Development Coalition, a regional economic development agencyhoused in a converted bus that operates from the middle of SGHs that is part of the JobsOhio Network. airfield. The Ohio UAS Center, an entity within Ohios Department of When the AFRL and Dayton Development Coalition conductedTransportation, is charged with operating the SkyVision asset.a study to identify airspace that was best suited for flyingThe radar system was an essential step, because to make unmanned systems, it found what it was looking for right in itsfuture unmanned flights viable for air taxis, package delivery, own backyard. SGH had the needed airspace and infrastructure.organ transplant delivery and other missions, aircraft must be able Now it needed a plan.to safely fly long distances without visual observers monitoring The airport hired Woolpert, an architecture,them from the ground or chase planes in the air. The SkyVision engineering and geospatial firm, to helptechnology makes that possible at SGH by using existing FAA bring its UAS test capabilities to life. Zacharyradar feeds for the area to control unmanned aircraft.Shuman, aviation program director atSkyVision and the unique BLOVS airspace put a spotlight on Woolpert, notes that as the firm worked onthe airport that is helping attract some of the biggest players in SGHs master plan, airport managementthe AAM industry to Springfield, OH.quickly transitioned from addressing AAM asIn 2020, Agility Prime entered the picture. It works with private a topic of consideration to taking strategicZACHARY SHUMAN industry, as well as universities and research centers across the action to support its growth. Thats whycountry, to accelerate the commercial market for AAM aircraft and theyre where they are at today, Shuman says, adding that thecreate a domestic supply chain to support its development and small Ohio airport may be one of the leading AAM research hubsproduction.in the country and possibly the world. Its program is now under the purview of the Air Force Research Attracting AAM to Springfield Labs and is headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. In 2019, the FAA approved a certificate of authorization thatThat puts SGH in a prime position to offer facilities for companies designated a 225-square-mile airspace above the airport, fromthat want to test UAS. The Ohio UAS Center has been helping 1,000 up to 10,000 feet, as a testing site for beyond visual line offacilitate those connections, serving as a portal for those sight (BVLOS) flight. To help keep the airspace safe, the state of Ohiointerested in using the testing range and SkyVision. and AFRL collectively contributed $5 million to develop a ground- BETA Technologies and Joby Aviation, two top leaders in the AAM industry, have both placed their advanced flight simulators at the airport. BETA also has built an elevated charging station with two conference rooms, two offices and a power distribution unit. It also installed an electric charging station for ground vehicles at SGH. In partnership with BETA Technologies, SGH added electric charging stations that allow electric airplanes and eVTOL systems to charge right on its ramp. A $226,000 grant from JobsOhio helped SGH become one of the first U.S. airports to add airside electric & charging stations.AVIATION MARKING MATERIALS Kittyhawk, owned by Google co-founder Larry Page, and LIFT Aircraft are two other CROWN'S AIRLINE,CROWN'S TUFF-MARK,AIRSIDE AVIATION PAINT. PREFORMED THERMOPLASTIC. private industry leaders that have utilized SGH Better formulated Improves wayfinding for flight testing. Both are exploring a single-paint with more with clear messaging, seat aircraft that could be used for personal durability, improving increasing safety for trips or expediting organ delivery. visibility to pilots & traffic & pedestrians As airport manager, vehicles airsidelandside Seth Timmerman is excited about the interest CONTACT US FOR MORE DETAILS SGHs venture is drawing.Kittyhawk came here SALES@CROWNUSA.COM from California to do their 706.553.9500 testing, he notes. That WWW.CROWNUSA.COMjust shows how unique andSETH TIMMERMANMay | June 2022AirportImprovement.com"