Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership: Jackson Municipal Airport Authority Teams Up With MSU To Advance Unmanned Aviation Technology

Press release from Great Jackson Chamber Partnership:

May 26, 2021

The Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA) has partnered with Mississippi State University’s (MSU’s) Raspet Flight Research Laboratory to accomplish yet another aviation milestone for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). This partnership has enabled one of the world’s most technologically-advanced large unmanned aircraft to take flight at Mississippi’s busiest airport – Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN). Through the collaborative efforts of Raspet and the Authority, the duo successfully obtained Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization for today’s first flight in JAN’s controlled airspace, known as Class C. Class C airspace is a designation of up to 4,000 feet above ground level at airports with control towers, radar approach control and a certain level of activity. “Today’s flight represents a significant milestone,” said Tom Brooks, director of MSU’s Raspet Flight Lab. “It’s another step toward unmanned systems becoming fully and safely integrated alongside manned aircraft – a key initiative necessary for UAS to reach their full potential, including expansions of their existing emergency response and disaster-relief efforts. We’d like to thank the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority for their strong partnership and the professionalism they brought to bear to make today’s flight successful.” About MSU Raspet Flight Research Laboratory Contact:
Chris Bryant, MSU Raspet PR

cbryant@raspet.msstate.edu, (205) 325-3330

This press release was produced by Great Jackson Chamber Partnership. The views expressed here are the author’s own.