North Dakota Drone Tests Set To Fly High At All Hours

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's unmanned aircraft test site is set to fly high, both day and night.

The Federal Aviation Administration recently approved a plan that allows drones to be flown up to 1,200 feet above the entire state and permits flights at night, a combination that makes North Dakota unique.

The other five test sites throughout the country are currently limited to a 200-foot blanket and daylight hours.

Nicholas Flom is director of safety for the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. He says the fact that North Dakota is the only state to have expanded airspace is a "big deal" and will expand the type of test operations.

Alaska, New York, Nevada, Texas and Virginia also were selected in December 2013 as national test sites for unmanned aircraft.