World's first drone airport under construction in Nevada

A new airport in Boulder City, Nevada, is reportedly being constructed for drone enthusiasts to test out their unmanned aerial vehicles. The site is being developed by drone industry enabler Aerodrome, and calls itself the world’s first drone airport. Plans for expansion include teaching facilities in Detroit, Michigan and Henderson in order to provide aviation education and FAA flying certification for the projected $82.1bn growth of the drone industry between 2015 and 2025, which is predicted to generate at least 103,000 new, high-paying jobs, according to a recent Fast Company Report. 

When the new airport in Boulder City, Nevada opens, it will be missing a key component: passengers. Construction just started on the facility, which hopes to attract hobbyists, government officials, rescue workers, and private businesses, who are all eager to find a spot where they can fly and test their unmanned aerial vehicles. The site, which drone industry enabler Aerodrome is developing, bills itself as the world’s first drone airport.

The company has teaching facilities in Detroit, Michigan and Henderson, Nevada. Its stated mission is to “provide education and FAA certification for flying and maintenance, job/career placement, advisory services, outsourced aviation services and repair services.” If the drone industry is to take off, it will need pilots with more training than that gained by just flying a quadcopter into a tree after Christmas. Fast Company reports:

There are already military drone airports, which are great for military pilots and understandbly off-limits for anyone else. A facility like this could help the commercial drone sector out a lot, and will further cement Nevada’s position as a modern transportation research hub.

Fast Company