Oregon Helps Build and Will Test Fly Vahana

Dean Sigler Electric Powerplants, Sustainable Aviation Leave a Comment

Oregon is a big player in drones and electric aviation, your editor just learned.  Attending the first ever Drone Summit in Bend, Oregon recently, we found that Oregon has three of the seven unpiloted aerial vehicle test ranges in the United State.  It has Boeing-backed Insitu, maker of the Scan Eagle long-range, long-endurance drone now being adapted to civilian uses.  Portland has FlightHouse LLC, manufacturing the canard for Airbus A3’s Vahana project, and the flight vehicle will be tested at the Pendleton Test Range. SOAR Oregon sponsored the event, which included speakers, ample networking time, and multiple revelations of the size and scope of drone activity in the state.  Their mission statement is short and sweet.  “SOAR Oregon is a statewide, not for profit Economic Development organization focused on the development of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) industry in Oregon. “SOAR Oregon’s mission is to foster growth in this rapidly evolving industry, connecting diverse industry sectors such as aviation, advanced …