Cornyn Announces FAA Approval of Predator Flights Along Entire Texas-Mexico Border

Press Release

Following repeated requests to expedite the FAA's processing of the Corpus Christi Certificate of Authorization (COA) application, as well as a hold on the nomination of Michael Huerta to serve as Deputy FAA Administrator, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today approved the COA application that will allow Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flights to operate along the Texas border and throughout the Gulf Region. Senator Cornyn spoke with Administrator Babbitt this afternoon who relayed the announcement. The approval paves the way for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to base UAVs at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station and begin operations on September 1, 2010.

"While the approval process should not have taken this long, I'm pleased to see the FAA moving forward," said Senator Cornyn. "The FAA needs to implement a system that will reflect the great importance of border security as well as the growing significance of UAVs in homeland security and national defense. Today's announcement is an important step forward, but much work remains to secure our border."

In May 2010, the FAA approved a COA request submitted by CBP in 2008 allowing UAV operations on the West Texas border from El Paso to Big Bend, but left open a significant portion of the border. CBP submitted a second request for the Corpus Christi COA in March 2010 to completely cover the Texas border and portions of the coast. To support this request, Senator Cornyn along with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison sent letters to the FAA Administrator and Secretary Napolitano asking for expedited COA approval.

Last month, Senators Cornyn and Hutchison and other members of the Texas Congressional Delegation met with FAA Administrator Randolph Babbitt regarding progress on the Corpus Christi COA. Senator Cornyn increased pressure on the FAA to approve the COAs by holding the nomination of Michael Huerta for Deputy FAA Administrator. In response to the requests and Senator Cornyn's hold, the FAA originally announced that they expected to approve the COA late this summer. However, the FAA has now agreed in cooperation with CBP to allow UAS operations to begin on September 1st, 2010. As a result, Senator Cornyn has released the hold and looks forward to the confirmation of Huerta as Deputy FAA Administrator. He'll continue to work with members of the Texas Congressional Delegation to push for the necessary resources our border patrol and law enforcement need to secure the border and keep Texans safe.

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