Choctaw Nation Hosts Interim Study on Drone Technology to Improve Rural Transportation Safety

DURANT, Okla. – Oklahoma state leaders visited the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) to learn about the Tribe’s growing aviation technology program. CNO hosted a legislative interim study focused on how drones can help reduce fatal accidents on rural roads.

The event was hosted at CNO’s Emerging Aviation Technology Center on Daisy Ranch, a 44,600-acre stretch of remote, tribally owned land. The facility focuses on the technological development of advanced air mobility and drones, also known as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).

“The U.S. faces many infrastructure challenges that drones may be able to solve,” said James Grimsley, executive director of advanced technology initiatives for CNO. “Continued investment in the CNO program positions Oklahoma as a leader in aviation technologies and a model for rural innovation.”

Members of the House Budget and Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, along with select staff, joined CNO representatives for the event. Attendees included Reps. Jason Blair, Jonathan Wilk, Ryan Eaves, Josh Cantrell, Tammy Townley and Subcommittee Chair Nicole Miller.

Legislators toured the facility’s Remote Operations Center and observed a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations demonstration. They also visited the prototyping facility to view advanced drone manufacturing.

“In Oklahoma, approximately 65% of traffic fatalities occur on rural roadways,” said Grimsley. “UAS can lower fatal accident rates by limiting cars on the road for things such as deliveries. This study shows just one of the many ways drones can improve quality of life and safety.”

The presentation also highlighted the need for a clear regulatory path for operators and UAS traffic management services to ensure safe and efficient operations, thereby increasing capabilities and usage in the state.

“Working with our tribal partners and rural leaders, we can turn local ingenuity into statewide progress,” said state Rep. Nicole Miller. “By listening first and legislating second, we can craft policy that truly supports innovation in aviation and advanced transportation. I’m eager to take what we learned from today’s discussion and turn it into meaningful policy that strengthens opportunity across Oklahoma. Thank you to the Choctaw Daisy Ranch for hosting us.”

CNO is the only tribal government selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take part in national drone research programs and is the only tribal government participating as a lead participant in the follow-on BEYOND Phase II program, which focuses on expanding drone operations safely. CNO has also earned federal approval to test drones that can fly longer distances without being seen from the ground, or BVLOS.