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ITEM 9
City Council Memorandum Economic Development Memo No.
Date:
March 20, 2023
To:
Mayor and Council
Thru:
Joshua H. Wright, City Manager
Andy Bass, Deputy City Manager
Micah Miranda, Economic Development Director
From:
Ryan Kaup, Economic Development Project Manager
Subject:
Resolution No. 5669 approving an Agreement between the Maricopa Association of Governments and the City of Chandler to consent to an uncrewed aircraft systems pilot project conducted by Airspace Link; and approving a related Pilot Project Agreement between Airspace Link and the City of Chandler.
Proposed Motion:
Move City Council pass and adopt Resolution No. 5669 approving an Agreement between the Maricopa Association of Governments and the City of Chandler to consent to an uncrewed aircraft systems pilot project conducted by Airspace Link; and approving a related Pilot Project Agreement between Airspace Link and the City of Chandler.
Background:
The proposed pilot project would occur in West Chandler and involve the delivery of critical medical supplies via uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS, a/k/a “drones”) between a pharmaceutical distributor (Omnicare) and an assisted living facility (Sunrise of Chandler). These medical supplies are currently delivered between the two locations using an automobile.
Similar to the City of Chandler’s leadership within the autonomous vehicle industry, this limited pilot would support the testing of a new technology that has the potential to improve traffic and shorten delivery times for critical products. The pilot project would be funded by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) through its “Emerging Technologies Pilot Program,” which supports the deployment of innovative transportation technologies in the region. Airspace Link, an aviation services and consulting firm, is leading the project and applying for funding through MAG.
Other companies participating in the project include Spright and Mercury Gate International. Spright is a leading UAS company that will provide the physical aircraft for this pilot and communication systems for the deployment, monitoring, and landing of the UAS. Mercury Gate International is a last-mile delivery company that is exploring UAS as an alternative mode of transport.
The pilot project would be limited to seven total days of operations within an approximately two-week span. During these seven days of testing, Airspace Link anticipates four to six flights per day along a five-minute route. The pilot project is expected to take place this summer with an expiration date in the agreements of December 31, 2023. The planned route is over a predominantly non-residential area and there is no conflict with the nearest airport (Stellar Airpark). All flights would occur below the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) 400-foot height limitation for UAS aircraft and human visual observers working with the pilot in command will maintain visual line of sight with the UAS at all times along its 1.2-mile route. Airspace Link has met with internal City departments, including Police and Fire, to brief them and answer questions about the pilot project.
With few exceptions, Airspace Link and its partners are allowed to conduct UAS deliveries “by right” without regulatory oversight by cities, provided they comply with FAA requirements. Approval of the proposed Consent Agreement between MAG and the City of Chandler will fulfill MAG’s requirement of having the host city consent to the pilot project occurring within the community. An additional stipulation of this Consent Agreement is that Airspace Link will work with the City of Chandler to develop a public outreach plan to inform residents and businesses within the area of the upcoming UAS operation. Following City Council approval, Airspace Link would be able to finalize a funding agreement through MAG’s Emerging Technologies Pilot Program. The related Pilot Project Agreement between the City of Chandler and Airspace Link calls for Airspace Link to ensure a safe, responsible, and lawful operation of the UAS pilot project.
Attachments
Resolution No. 5669
Consent Agreement Between MAG and the City of Chandler
Pilot Project Agreement between Airspace Link and the City of Chandler
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