KDOT announced as finalist for AUVSI XCELLENCE awards

The Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) Division of Aviation has been named as a finalist in the Operations and Safety category of the XCELLENCE Awards by the Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI).

The AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards honor innovators in the unmanned systems industry, including individuals and organizations, with a commitment to leading and promoting safe operations, advancing technology, and developing programs that use unmanned systems. KDOT was selected from a pool of accomplished applicants as one of several finalists. Winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at AUVSI XPONENTIAL on Tuesday, April 30, in Chicago.

The Division of Aviation applied in the Operations and Safety category to highlight its commitment to unmanned safety and responsibility, said Bob Brock, KDOT Director of Aviation.

“We consider flight safety our highest priority for Kansas Aviation, and we are honored to be recognized by AUVSI,” Brock said.

"The rapid growth of the unmanned systems industry is reshaping our future by expanding business markets, providing consumers with innovative solutions and even saving lives," said Brian Wynne, president and CEO of AUVSI. "The XCELLENCE awards recognize companies and individuals who are achieving remarkable results with unmanned systems technology to benefit our communities.”

For more information about XPONENTIAL and the AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards, visit xponential.org.

KDOT announces aviation art contest winners

The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation announces the Kansas winners of the 2019 International Aviation Art Contest. The theme for this year’s contest was “My Dream to Fly.” The art contest is designed to challenge young people to illustrate the importance of aviation through art. Artists ages 6 to 17 were eligible to submit art that celebrates the adventure and excitement of aviation.

The first-place winner in each age group receives a prize package from the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education (KCAE), which includes a drone and a tablet among other prizes.

“This is an opportunity to demonstrate the impact of aviation in a fun and interactive way and to foster a new generation of aviators,” said Lindsey Dreiling, Deputy Director of KDOT Aviation and President of KCAE.

2019 Kansas winners are:

1st Place:

Abilene Zhang, Christ Lutheran School, Overland Park

Brittney Gillespie, Mulvane Middle School, Mulvane

LeeAnn Skinner, Lawrence Virtual School, Topeka

2nd Place:

Kaylen Foss, Derby Middle School, Derby

Trinity Bayliff, Mulvane Middle School, Mulvane

Isaiah Doherty, Haven Grade School, Haven

3rd Place:

Ashlee Taylor, Burrton High School, Burrton

Abraham Zhang, Christ Lutheran School, Overland Park

Liam McLoughlin, O’Loughlin Elementary, Hays

To see the artwork, go to the KDOT Aviation page - https://www.facebook.com/KDOTAviation

Annual Aviation Day highlights innovation in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Transportation’s (KDOT) Division of Aviation, in partnership with the Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education (KCAE), will host the fifth annual Aviation Day in the State Capitol rotunda from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 7.

Numerous legislators, manufacturers, suppliers and aviation organizations are participating in this event that helps facilitate industry growth opportunities. The aviation industry supports nearly 91,300 jobs, generates more than $4.4 billion in annual payroll, and produces nearly $20.6 billion in annual economic output for the state of Kansas according to the 2017 Kansas Aviation Economic Impact Study.

As part of the event, city officials and those interested in boosting aviation economic development in their region are invited to a workshop starting at 1 p.m. in room 4N on the Capitol’s ground floor near the Visitor’s Center.

Aviation Economic Development Workshop – 1 p.m., Room 4N, Capitol

“Aviation day highlights the culture of innovation in Kansas,” said Bob Brock, Director of Aviation. “We appreciate partners from industry, university and non-profit organizations working together to promote a message of growth and hope for Kansas.”

Industry leaders scheduled to attend include: 190th Air Refueling Wing, Ainstein, Air Force, AirMap, Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, American Bonanza Society, AOPA, Bombardier, Burns and McDonnell, Butler CCC, CAP, Combat Air Museum, Cosmosphere, DCN, EAA, Explorer Post 8, Flight Safety, Garmin, Garver USA, GBA, Harris Corporation, Heartland Airplanes LLC, HOA Wing of Commemorative AF, International Aviation, Jacobs Instruments and Sales Inc., Kansas Association of Airports, Kansas Aviation Museum, Kansas Historical Society, Kansas Soaring Association, Kiewit, KS Ag Aviation Association, K-State Polytechnic, Lee Aerospace, Life Save Transport, Mission Aviation Fellowship, National Weather Service, NBAA, Pilots For Christ, RANS, Textron, Spirit, University of Kansas, Westar Energy, Wichita Airport Authority, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport and WSU/NIAR.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program

The Kansas Department of Transportation has been selected as one of 10 participants to participate in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program, an initiative aimed at shaping the future of drones in America. The UAS Integration Pilot Program is an opportunity for state, local and tribal governments to partner with private sector entities, such as UAS operators or manufacturers, to accelerate safe UAS integration.

PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION: The proposal deploys UAS to support beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations in rural communities. It seeks to leverage a statewide unmanned traffic management system to facilitate precision agriculture operations.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS AND BENEFITS: Operations will use a range of technologies, such as detect and avoid, ADS-B, satellite communications and geo-fencing. The program will use existing in-state resources such as fiber optic networks and UAS Traffic Management (UTM). The awardee has a robust community involvement plan that supports the diverse operations that are planned.

Stay tuned for more news.

KDOT Aviation in partnership with the UAS Joint Task Force will be exhibiting at the AUVSI Xponential 2018 conference in Denver, Colorado. Wichita State University, Kansas State University, Commerce, Agriculture, SCEDO and other JTF and economic development partners will help highlight national leadership in the industry and showcase Kansas UAS opportunities at the KDOT Aviation Anchor Booth. Please stop by Booth #4219 to learn more!

Low Altitude Authorization & Notification Capability (LAANC)

Low Altitude Authorization & Notification Capability (LAANC) will rollout to nearly 300 air traffic control facilities, representing 500 airports nationwide. Kansas was selected, in partnership with Airmap, to field the initial launch of the new technology that will allow UAS operators safer, and easier access to controlled Airspace. The rollout will affect several Kansas airports that include locations in Independence, Lawrence, Chanute, Liberal, Dodge City, and Hays. The division is currently working with Airmap to conduct outreach and education seminars with local airport stakeholders to promote awareness of the new FAA program.

KDOT announces Kansas airport improvement projects

Topeka – Twenty-six airports have been selected for Kansas Airport Improvement Program funding to repair or improve facilities and enhance air ambulance access.

The projects selected for this Kansas Department of Transportation program will receive a combined total of just over $4 million in fiscal year 2018. KAIP requires airport sponsors to share in the project costs by paying a minimum of five percent of the total project costs up to a maximum of 50 percent, depending on project category (such as modernization, equipment, design, and preservation). The combined total value of the approved projects is estimated at $4.45 million.

Transportation Secretary Richard Carlson selected the new KAIP projects to improve airports in the State of Kansas. "These projects will help us make critical air services available to more Kansans all across the state," said Secretary Carlson. "Improvements currently underway at rural airports will help ensure that 93 percent of our population has air ambulance access."

KAIP receives $5 million annually through the T-WORKS transportation program. KDOT's Division of Aviation, which manages the program, considered 123 applications for projects totaling $31.7 million.

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