Trying to find a location to fly an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that's heavier than 55 lbs or above 400 feet without waiting for months? There’s a new way to make that a reality.
For companies developing new UAS, one challenge consistently stands between innovation and impact: access to airspace that reflects real-world operational conditions. Laboratory testing and small-scale demonstrations can only take technology so far. To mature safely, credibly and on schedule, new systems must be flown at scale, at altitude, and beyond the constraints of standard operating rules.
This is where Section 44803 approvals become a critical enabler.
What Makes 44803 Different
These approvals are available only through the Federal Re-Authorization Act (2016) to FAA-designated UAS Test Sites, such as the Northern Plains UAS Test Site. They are not general waivers and cannot be obtained by operators on their own.
Through this designation, NPUASTS can establish aircraft-agnostic 44803 airspace approvals anywhere in the United States, providing industry partners access to operational environments that mirror real deployment conditions rather than constrained test corridors.
Under NPUASTS 44803 authority, partners can:
- Operate aircraft up to 1,320 pounds
- Fly at altitudes up to 17,999 feet msl (depending on location)
- Conduct testing in pre-approved airspace across North Dakota or other U.S. locations
- Execute beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations using Vantis, North Dakota’s UAS system
Flexible Approval Duration with Structured Oversight
Unlike short-term demonstration approvals, 44803 authorizations can be tailored to the program’s needs for long-term operations, without requiring revision or renewal. This flexibility allows companies to plan sustained test campaigns rather than one-off flights.
Oversight is structured to balance safety with operational efficiency:
- Quarterly in-person audits, typically conducted over two-week periods, to validate continued compliance and operational performance
- Remote oversight between audits, enabling ongoing monitoring without unnecessary disruption to testing
This hybrid approach provides regulatory confidence while allowing teams to remain focused on development and data collection.
Why This Matters for Technology Readiness Levels
Advancing Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) requires more than successful flights. It requires proof that systems can perform safely, reliably and repeatably under realistic conditions over time. Standard operating environments often cap progress at mid-level TRLs, where performance is demonstrated only within narrow constraints.
These 44803 approvals remove those ceilings by enabling extended testing periods, higher altitudes, heavier aircraft, and complex operational profiles. Testing under 44803 allows companies to validate:
- Endurance and performance at operational altitudes
- Detect-and-avoid and surveillance integration
- Command-and-control resilience over sustained operations
- System behavior across varied environments and missions
This level of testing is essential for progressing from prototype validation to certification-ready and operational systems.
How NPUASTS Helps UAS Industry Move Faster
As an FAA-designated test site, NPUASTS does more than provide airspace access. We provide a repeatable, regulator-informed pathway for advancing technology.
Our team supports partners through:
- Safety case and documentation development
- Flight readiness assessments
- FAA coordination and regulatory alignment
- On-site operational oversight during audit periods
- Remote monitoring and program support between audits
Because our 44803 approvals are aircraft-agnostic, location-flexible, and scalable in duration, companies can test where and how it makes the most sense for their mission.
By combining nationwide 44803 authority, flexible approval durations and a balanced oversight model, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site helps the UAS industry move beyond constrained testing and into operational reality. If your organization is ready to advance TRLs, reduce time to market and fly in environments that matter, we are ready to help you take the next step.