Northwest Aerospace News August | September Issue No. 10 | Page 59

ASSOCIATION FOR UNMANNED VEHICLE SYSTEMS SPOTLIGHT “T hrough our long-standing relationship with the AUVSI Cascade Chapter, we were able to work with NW UAV and put their engines on a surrogate aircraft, carried underneath one of our Cubs,” he said. “They have phenomenal facilities at NW UAV, with altitude chambers and everything else, but there is still no substitute for the real-world environment.” With a human pilot at the controls, drone payload manufacturers can now fly their systems whenever the need arises. “The environment is pretty neutral as far as vibration and electromagnetic interference goes,” Prange explained. “And with our data links, the engineers can sit comfortably in our building and sip coffee during the testing.” Although the advent of Part 107 has made it easier to conduct routine drone operations with small aircraft at low altitude, Hood Tech Aero will continue to fill a vital niche for testing military and civilian sensors and components that need to fly heavier, higher and further than the current FAA rules will allow. Brian Prange TacAero , Vice President HOOD TECH AERO 3650 Airport Drive Hood River OR, 97031 701.610.6581 [email protected] https:// www.hoodtechaero.com AUGUST| SEPTEMBER 2019 ISSUE NO. 10 59