Unpiloted aircraft will soon be tested over Oregon by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA announced it had selected a joint proposal from Oregon, Alaska, and Hawai'i to be among six newly designated drone testing sites across the U. S.
In Oregon, the consortium plans to operate test ranges near Pendleton, Tillamook, and Warm Springs. Congress is requiring the FAA to integrate drones into the national airspace by 2015.
Rick Spinrad of Oregon State University says he's hoping the FAA will clear the first flights for take-off this spring, if not sooner.