On 7 March, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a request for public comment on the selection process for six unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test sites (comments due by 9 May), following Congressional language in both a defense spending bill (passed 31 Dec. 2011), and the FAA reauthorization bill (passed 14 Feb. 2012), requiring the FAA to create six UAS test sites around the United States.

However, before the FAA issues a request for proposals to select the actual test sites, the FAA first needs help developing the test site requirements, designation standards, and oversight activities.

Along with creating UAS test sites, Congress also called for the full integration of UAS by 30 Sept. 2015. So, in addition to allowing for more UAS operations, including by commercial operators, the goal of the test sites is to help the FAA develop the regulatory framework to govern the widespread use of UAS in the national airspace.

read more http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/FAA_Starts_UAS_Test_Site_Selectio...