Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Lyon County airport chosen as drone-testing site

SILVER SPRINGS, Nev. — Silver Springs Airport in Lyon County has been selected as a drone-testing site.

Airport operator Kay Bennett praised the Nevada Institute of Autonomous Systems' decision announced Thursday, saying it would give a boost to the local economy.

Officials say the open space and sparse population around the airport made it an ideal location for an unmanned aircraft operations site.

Bennett says activities should start at the airport in five or six months, and nearby residents and businesses shouldn't notice much of an impact.

Silver Springs is located along U.S. 50 about 35 miles northeast of Carson City.

Additional sites will include Stead, Boulder City, Desert Rock and Fallon.

Nevada is one of six states nationally recently selected to serve as U.S. drone test sites. The others are Alaska, New York, North Dakota, Texas and Virginia.

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