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TAMU-CC gets a new place to test drones in Flour Bluff

The university unveiled a new netting structure the size of a five story building in Flour Bluff where TAMU-CC houses their drone education program.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas A&M Corpus Christi just put Texas one step closer to the future with flying cars, flying food services and even flying health services.

"We're very proud to be one of only seven FAA test sites when it comes to unmanned aircraft systems," said Kelly Miller, the CEO and President of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. 

"We're the only test site in Texas and one of only seven in the nation."

From about five stories off the ground and over 300,000 cubic feet of airspace, unmanned aircrafts finally have the freedom to get off the ground close to home. Before, drone pilots weren't allowed to fly anywhere near the TAMU-CC campus because it is too close to the Naval Air Station. 

"We would actually have to drive to Sinton where we have an airspace," said Riksy Nunez, an Engineer of Lone Star, Unmanned Aircraft System Center.

"We would have to drive to Port Mansfield, which is two hours away, or we would have to drive all the way down to the beach, past Bob Hall, past a specific marker which would take 45 minutes to get there."

Credit: TAMU-CC

Now, from their headquarters in Flour Bluff, TAMU-CC can host more efficient test flights from the massive enclosed structure. It allows a safe space for trial and error.

"To have these drones flying all around the city doing their own thing either gathering data, serving, helping first responders, police or just a simple meal delivery, that's what we're trying to get at," Nunez added.

The university said the opportunities that will come are endless. The building will also be available to local schools and programs.

For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.

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