FAA: An Innovative Partnership with the Choctaw Nation

Photo by FAA

Published November 26, 2021

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma is using drones to advance crop yield and promote careers in STEM through partnerships with the FAA. As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, we spotlight some of the ways we have partnered with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Together, we continue to introduce aerospace to communities where job opportunities may not have been possible.

Did you know

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma was the first tribal government to fly drones as a Public Aircraft Operator which provides greater flexibility with aircraft regulations. We look forward to their continued innovation with drones!

Above and BEYOND

As an FAA BEYOND lead participant, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma focus their drone operations on important, relevant, and realistic missions for tribal and rural communities. These include public safety, small package delivery, agriculture inspections, and low-altitude weather operations.

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An Innovative Partnership with the Choctaw Nation
Nov 26, 2021

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.

About the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with more than 225,000 tribal members and 12,000-plus associates. This ancient people has an oral tradition dating back over 13,000 years. The first tribe over the Trail of Tears, its historic reservation boundaries are in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, covering 10,923 square miles. 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 choctawnation.com.

Inquiries

Contact Kristina Humenesky for any media relations needs at [email protected]