releases: https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6D586E1B-BBDA-4D41-8962-844E638CA744
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.heitkamp.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6D586E1B-BBDA-4D41-8962-844E638CA744 | Heitkamp Helps Pass Bipartisan FAA Bill to Support Rural Airports and Boost UAS Development in ND | 2018-10-03 | 2018 | 2018-10 | Democrat | House | ND | Heidi Heitkamp | H001069 | www.heitkamp.senate.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today voted with a bipartisan majority of the Senate to pass a long-term reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which included an amendment Heitkamp fought for to boost North Dakota's unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry and preserved funding for the Essential Air Service (EAS), which many North Dakota airports rely on. The bill is now expected to be signed into law. The FAA supports critical aviation projects and programs that help maintain and improve airports across North Dakota, and the long-term reauthorization will ensure the agency can continue to support air service to North Dakota's airports. These programs include the EAS a vital federal support program that enables airlines to serve many rural communities, like those in Devils Lake, Jamestown, and Dickinson which Heitkamp has long advocated to protect from cuts, including in the administration's proposed budget. As a result, these funds help support small business growth and local jobs, make it possible for residents to travel, and boost tourism to the area. A fully functioning FAA supports the economy and makes life easier in North Dakota's rural communities, Heitkamp said. I fought to include important provisions for our state's growing UAS industry, and this bill will help North Dakota colleges and universities prepare students for careers in UAS. The bill gives long-term certainty to our airports and the communities they serve, and will make sure access to air service is protected across our state. The bill also maintains the Essential Air Service program, which many North Dakota airports rely on to stay competitive and preserve service to rural areas. I've fought to protect EAS from the administration's proposals to eliminate it, and this bill preserves funding that will continue to support air service to rural communities across the state. Heitkamp successfully included an amendment that will improve access to special use airspace for public UAS to assist federal, state, local, or tribal law enforcement organizations in conducting law enforcement, emergency response, and other activities. This amendment will promote the use of the Customs & Border Protection Air & Marine Operations aircraft out of Grand Forks. The bill also supports North Dakota's UAS industry by: Supporting the Department of Transportation's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program. Heitkamp successfully pushed for North Dakota to be one of 10 states in the pilot program, and joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to announce North Dakota's participation in May. Promoting the continued use of test ranges like the Northern Plains UAS Test Site and extends their authority for five years. Heitkamp has been a champion of the Northern Plains UAS Test Site and its work to integrate UAS into the airspace, develop sense and avoid technologies, and support low-altitude UAS traffic management research like that conducted by NASA, all of which this bill promotes. Boosting UAS workforce training. The bill requires the establishment of a collegiate training initiative program for UAS as well as the designation of a consortia of public, two-year institutions of higher education to implement workforce training programs, which could benefit several schools in North Dakota. Heitkamp has long been a supporter of EAS funding, which keeps North Dakota's smaller airports and rural communities thriving. According to a study conducted by the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, air travel to the Devils Lake and Jamestown areas alone brought$2.1 millionfrom visitors to the area in 2015, and supported209 jobsin the state.In Dickinson, which EAS supported with $4.2 million in 2016, about 475 jobs are dependent on the airport, which helped generate $76.6 million for the area. Heitkamp has successfully fought back against the administration's attempts to eliminate EAS funding in its budget. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |