Airspace Link CEO to Testify Before Michigan House Oversight Subcommittee on Critical Drone Infrastructure Needs

Industry-Leading Drone Operations Management System and UTM Provider Selected to Address Airspace Awareness, Security, and Multi-Jurisdictional Coordination Ahead of Federal BVLOS Rule Implementation

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Airspace Link CEO and Co-Founder Michael Healander will testify tomorrow before the Michigan House of Representatives Oversight Subcommittee on Homeland Security and Foreign Influence, chaired by Rep. William Bruck, to address the urgent infrastructure needs facing Michigan communities in preparation for transformative federal drone regulations set to take effect in early 2026.

Wednesday's hearing will focus on airspace awareness, safety and security protocols, multi-jurisdictional coordination frameworks, and building the technological foundation necessary to support and scale drone operations across the state. Airspace Link is the only company testifying as part of tomorrow's hearing.

Hearing Details

What: Michigan House of Representatives Oversight Subcommittee on Homeland Security and Foreign Influence
Chair: Rep. William Bruck
Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Room 308, House Office Building, Lansing, Michigan
Contact: Edward Sleeper, Committee Clerk, 517-373-5024, [email protected]
Live Broadcast: The hearing will be streamed live on the Michigan House of Representatives YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@MichiganHouseofRepresentatives) and on House TV at https://house.mi.gov/

Federal BVLOS Rules Now in Public Comment Period, Creating Urgent Implementation Timeline

The testimony comes at a pivotal moment as the U.S. Department of Transportation has released proposed Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rules for public comment, following President Trump's executive orders "Unleashing American Drone Dominance" and "Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty." The new rule, unveiled by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on August 6, 2025, will accelerate American innovation by safely integrating unmanned aircraft systems into the national airspace system. With a 60-day public comment period now underway, final implementation is expected in early 2026.

The proposed rule eliminates the previous requirement for individual waivers or exemptions for BVLOS operations, significantly expanding use-cases for drone technologies across manufacturing, farming, package and medical delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying and inspection, recreation, filmmaking, and more.

"With the BVLOS rules now in public comment, Michigan has a critical window to build the coordination infrastructure that will determine whether communities thrive or struggle in the new drone economy," said Healander. "This isn't just about individual departments flying drones, it's about creating seamless coordination between fire departments, police, public works, and commercial operators all operating simultaneously in the same airspace. The communities that establish these cross-departmental coordination protocols now will attract new businesses and enhance public safety. Those that wait will face significant operational challenges when routine BVLOS operations begin in 2026."

Economic and Security Implications for Michigan
The testimony will address how Michigan can position itself to capture significant economic benefits from the drone economy transformation. The new federal framework creates unprecedented responsibilities for local governments, requiring them to coordinate delivery drones with other manned and unmanned airspace activity, ensure emergency responders can access airspace instantly, and maintain security around schools, stadiums, and government facilities.

Without proper multi-jurisdictional communication systems, communities risk airspace conflicts between authorized operations, security vulnerabilities from unauthorized drone activity, and missed economic opportunities in a market projected to reach $55 billion by 2030. The global commercial drone market is expected to create over 100,000 new jobs in the U.S. by the end of 2025, while comprehensive economic analysis projects $48 billion in cumulative cost savings from drone adoption across industries through 2050.

Federal requirements also mandate comprehensive tracking and security systems for drone activity above critical infrastructure, creating opportunities for Michigan communities to enhance security capabilities while attracting federal investment and technology companies.

Proven Solutions for Multi-Jurisdictional Coordination

As the nation's leading Drone Operations Management System (DOMS) provider, Airspace Link's FAA-approved AirHub® Portal currently manages over 100,000 monthly users across 6,000 unique municipalities, businesses, and federal/military organizations. The platform serves as the air traffic control system for drones, providing real-time coordination, comprehensive security monitoring and enablement capabilities, and automated compliance management.

Airspace Link's comprehensive platform includes advanced counter-drone and airspace security capabilities, providing detection, identification, and coordination tools that empower authorities to distinguish between authorized operations and potential security threats. This integrated approach to both drone operations management and airspace security positions communities to access federal funding streams while maintaining complete situational awareness of their airspace.

Airspace Link's FAA-approved services include:

• LAANC Airspace Authorization: Streamlined access to controlled airspace
• B4UFLY Safety Checks: Comprehensive pre-flight safety assessments
• UTM: Nationwide strategic deconfliction, onboarded to US UTM network, Part 146 ready
• Operations Center: Real-time situational awareness for municipal oversight
• Counter-UAS Integration: Advanced detection and identification capabilities for unauthorized drone activity

About Airspace Link
Founded in 2018, Airspace Link is a Detroit-based drone software company empowering governments, enterprises, and public safety agencies to plan, manage, and scale drone operations safely. As an FAA-approved LAANC and B4UFLY provider and Esri technology partner, Airspace Link's AirHub® Portal serves as a Drone Operations Management System that unifies flight planning, risk, operations oversight, counter UAS capabilities, and UTM coordination. By connecting national airspace data with local GIS, policies, and real-time inputs, Airspace Link helps communities and operators integrate drones into everyday life with confidence. Learn more at airspacelink.com or request a demo of AirHub® Portal.

Media Contact
Rich Fahle, Vice President of Marketing
Samantha Stewart Gacaferi, Marketing Manager
[email protected]
[email protected]

SOURCE Airspace Link