Grand Sky announces BVLOS flight milestone

Prairie Business Staff Report

GRAND FORKS — Grand Sky, the nation’s first commercial UAS business and aviation park, announced it will begin beyond-visualline-of-sight (BVLOS) operations with large UAS this summer. The 217-acre park, west of Grand Forks, is the first location in the U.S. to receive regulatory permission to host commercial BVLOS test flights for large unmanned aircraft. Flights will be launched and recovered at the adjacent Grand Forks Air Force Base runway and will be managed by Grand Sky in partnership with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site.

“The entire UAS industry has been waiting for the ability to repeatedly fly beyond line of sight in commercial air space so that they can demonstrate the true capabilities of these incredible technologies,” says Thomas Swoyer Jr., president of Grand Sky Development Co., in

F-M Chamber wins regional event award for Military Appreciation Night

Prairie Business Staff Report

MOORHEAD, Minn. — The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce received the Event of the Year award at the 2017 MidAmerica Chamber Executives Conference, held May 3 to 5 in Sioux Falls.

The award honored the Chamber’s annual Military Appreciation Night, held each summer in conjunction with a Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks minor league baseball game. Military Appreciation Night has grown since it started six years ago, and has sold out the past three years, according to the Chamber. Last summer, more than 1,000 military members and their families were given complimentary game tickets, T-shirts and attended a pre-game picnic featuring games, giveaways and a special appearance from the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales.

“While Military Appreciation Night is a Chamber event combined with a game of baseball, it’s a true community partnership,” says Jim Parsons, vice president of finance and operations for the Chamber, in a statement. “It’s really an inspiring event and the least we can do to thank our region’s veterans. But it wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of the RedHawks, veteran’s organizations, our Military Affairs committee or the event’s presenting sponsor, D-S Beverages.”

MACE is made up of chamber professionals in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. MACE holds a statement. “We are so excited to launch this capability at Grand Sky and provide industry members with exactly what they need to succeed in and advance this industry to the next level of integration. We look forward to working with Harris Corp. and the Air Force to install the system that will serve as observers for these flights.”

The Harris RangeVue system, purchased by Grand Sky through affiliate Grand Sky Airfield Operations, will combine several surveillance systems, including nearby Grand Forks AFB’s radar feed, locally installed ADS-B Xtend and FAA NextGen, into one stream, making it possible for users to achieve real-time situational awareness of manned and unmanned aircraft as required by the Federal Aviation Administration.

“Grand Sky is creating a truly unique setting to carry out UAS research and test flights,” says George Kirov, vice president and general manager of Harris Commercial UAS Solutions, in a statement. “We are excited to have a role in getting flights off the ground and stand ready to further assist North Dakota in maintaining its leadership role in the industry.”

Initial BVLOS flights at Grand Sky will be limited to UAS flying within 60 nautical miles of the park, according to Grand Sky. As processes are proven and additional data is collected, Grand Sky anticipates its BVLOS range will be extended to include the entire state of North Dakota and all classes of aircraft. PB a conference each year, which includes recognition of exemplary work from Chambers in those six states.

“It was a surprise and an honor to get the news that this event won such a prestigious award,” says Craig Whitney, president and CEO of the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber, in a statement. “It is fitting that the award was announced as I was in Washington, D.C., for a National Guard reception in support of our local Happy Hooligans. Honoring our military is a continued priority for our Chamber. I can’t wait for this year’s event.” PB

Northland Community & Technical College has partnered with area companies to offer a new two-year manufacturing degree.