Choctaw Nation obtains a Public Aircraft Operations certificate

DURANT, Okla. (January 17, 2020) – The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) has been granted a Public Aircraft Operations (PAO) Certificate of Authorization (COA) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

CNO is the first Native American Tribal Government to be granted PAO authorization by the FAA as determined by statutes, 49 USC §40102(a) (41) and §40125 since the new FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 was signed into law.

Prior to the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, federal law did not permit tribes to operate a public aircraft for governmental or public service under the rules of a PAO.

CNO plans to use the PAO COA for aeronautical research and public services as defined in statutes. These plans include aeronautical research on new emerging technology systems that will be operated within the 10.5 counties of the CNO tribal boundaries in Southeast Oklahoma.

CNO will also start using their PAO COA for emergency services such as search and rescue, firefighting support, post-damage assessment from natural disasters and other public needs that may arise in the future.

“It is an exciting time in the Choctaw Nation as well as all of Oklahoma to make history by being the first tribe designated as a public aircraft operator,” states Chief Gary Batton. “This designation confirms our commitment to the future of the unmanned aircraft system which allows us to explore new possibilities and applications in this industry. We believe this designation and commitment will transform the Choctaw Nation and Oklahoma. The future holds endless opportunities.”

“The Choctaw Nation continues to expand our involvement in emerging aviation technology and we appreciate our strong working relationship with the FAA,” states James Grimsley, Executive Director of Advanced Technology Initiatives of Choctaw Nation’s Division of Strategic Development. “As we continue to foster innovation and utilize new technology in today’s world, we hope to better serve our tribal citizens, customers and employees.”

CNO is one of nine Integration Pilot Program (IPP) sites selected by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao in May 2018 the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) IPP. CNO has become a leader in emerging aviation technologies working with other organizations such as Bell Flight, Intel Corp., AiRXOS (part of GE Aviation), Noble Research Institute, Oklahoma State University, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Iris Automation and the University of Oklahoma.

About the UAS IPP Program

The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP) 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.

The program will help the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) craft new enabling rules that allow more complex low-altitude UAS operations by:

Identifying ways to balance local and national interests related to UAS integration

Improving communications with local, state and tribal jurisdictions

Addressing security and privacy risks

Accelerating the approval of operations that currently require special authorizations.

The program is expected to foster a meaningful dialogue on the balance between local and national interests related to UAS integration and provide actionable information to the USDOT on expanded and universal integration of UAS into the National Airspace System.

For more information on Public Aircraft Operations, you can visit: https://www.faa.gov/uas/public_safety_gov/drone_program/public_aircraft_operations/

About the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States, with nearly 200,000 tribal members and more than 10,000 employees. The first tribe over the Trail of Tears, the historic boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma.

The Choctaw Nation’s vision, “Living out the Chahta Spirit of faith, family and culture”, is evident as it continues to focus on providing opportunities for growth and prosperity. For more information about the Choctaw Nation, its culture, heritage, and traditions, please visit www.choctawnation.com.

For more information about the Choctaw Nation UAS IPP program, please visit www.cnoaa.com.

NASA Administer Jim Bridenstine visited the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma today to learn more about emerging aviation technology work underway within the tribe. Topics included the Choctaw Nation’s FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Innovation Pilot Program (UAS IPP). Several industry and academic partners of the Choctaw Nation also participated.

Courtesy photos