U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema met with a handful of Honeywell employees on Friday and talked about the importance of the U.S. Department of Defense and helping improve current supply chain issues.
In particular, how it can impact the future of unmanned aerial vehicles and the work being done on them in the Valley.
Honeywell officials toured the Urban Air Mobility and Unmanned Aerial Systems group at its north Phoenix facility at 1860 W. Rose Garden Lane with Sinema and showed off capabilities of unmanned aerial systems — known better as drones — that can be flown to different cities from a command center. The drone — which can carry a 35-pound load — could deliver goods long distances rather than short flights, like drones typically do today.
One day, officials hope to fly drones longer distances and enable them with radar technology to enable faster, safer travel. Officials also presented an urban air mobility — which officials called urban air taxis that one day would allow individuals to ride an enclosed larger drone to get around from city to city in minutes.
“What they are doing here is revolutionizing the way that travel occurs — both for people and for goods,” Sinema said in an interview. “...You know, the roadways are congested. Traffic is traffic. That traffic occurs on planes, it occurs on the roads. So they are thinking about finding new lanes through using air traffic. I just think it’s really innovative and cool.”
Honeywell, which has long been a staple of tech employment in the West Valley, is seeking updated rules from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly drones from a few miles to hundreds of miles, said Stephane Fymat, Honeywell vice president and general manager of urban air mobility and unmanned aerial systems.
FAA rules currently say individuals cannot fly drones farther than the eye can see, Fymat said, and drone flights over just a few miles must have prior FAA approval.
Honeywell currently tests drones with radar capabilities involving longer flights. Fymat said he hopes to get approval for longer drone flights in one to two years.
“(We want drones to be able) to go from a few miles away to hundreds of miles,” Fymat said.
Such unmanned vehicles could evolve into transportation. Fymat said the capability for urban air taxis could be available by 2025.
But “improved” FAA rules need to be in place along with radar systems and customer acceptability before such technology can take flight, Fymat said.
As part of the tour, Sinema spoke to a group of employees. She talked about the topics that ranged from the importance of federal defense funding to trying to help alleviate supply chain issues.
Sinema said she liked the idea of hopping on an air taxi and getting somewhere quick. In the presentation, Honeywell officials said the air taxi could get from Deer Valley to Sky Harbor International Airport in as little as seven minutes or Mesa to Goodyear in 15 minutes.
“I saw the video of air taxis, and I want one,” Sinema said.
Sinema said she is proud of helping pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 on Thursday night. Arizona is set to receive $500 million in Army aviation funds from that legislation.
It’s not the only technology infrastructure legislation Sinema has been involved with.
Last month, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., announced $11.3 million will be invested in electric vehicle charging stations across Arizona in 2022 thanks to the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs law led by Sinema and Kelly.
An electric vehicle infrastructure — akin to gas stations for cars powered by internal combustion engines — would allow for EVs to travel longer distance than just the few hundred miles many have off a single charge.
On Friday, Sinema said she wants to see increased research and development of EVs.
“I’m interested in (seeing) EV firetrucks,” she said.
Brent Ruffner Lead News Reporter | Phoenix @AzNewsmedia
Brent Ruffner joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2021 where he writes about developments at TSMC and Maricopa County issues, including election topics.
He's written about stories that range from accusations that a Mesa monkey breeding facility is unsafe to what to do if you encounter a rattlesnake in the desert.
Community: He is a supporter of the American Cancer Society.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, May 2007.
Random Fact: He met former San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays at a Phoenix Firebird game after winning a contest for an autographed baseball.
Hobbies: Hiking in the woods and collecting sports memorabilia.
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