UAV NOTAM for Montana

!CDC 03/074 ZLC AIRSPACE UNMANNED ACFT 0.5 NMR FCA350003/4.5 SE GPI 3700/BLW 1400-2300 DLY WEF 1303251400-1303312300

FCA is KALISPELL, MT.
N 48.2141025 W114.1758908

The test location is on the 350 degree magnetic vector at 3 nautical miles. I'm not sure what the "4.5" means. SE is south east. GPI unknown. BLW is below, so it will be flying 3700ft (AGL I believe but don't quote me) and below. Time is 1400 UTC Montana is UTC-7, but should be 6 for daylight saving time. Thus the local time is 8AM to 5PM. Effective March 25th through March 31st.

If I did the math right, the center of action is at N48.263882 W114.165242.

There is what looks like a private runway at N48.257926 W114.173328, though kind of short. About 1900ft.

No clues on this one. Anyone in Montana?

I'm not in Montana but I had a family member who worked for the AF in some underground facility up there. It wouldn't surprise me that they have activity up there coordinated with Nellis, which is where UAV's typically come from.

Probably just routine testing flights. If they get over 22,000 feet, then THAT would be rather odd.

theaviationist.com...

reply to post by Taupin Desciple

Data Current as of: Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:25:00 UTC

GPI GLACIER PARK INTL
!GPI 03/057 GPI AIRSPACE UNMANNED ACFT SEE CDC 03/074 ZLC 1400-2300 DLY WEF 1303251400-1303312300

ZLC SALT LAKE CITY (ARTCC),UT.
!CDC 03/074 ZLC AIRSPACE UNMANNED ACFT 0.5 NMR FCA350003/4.5 SE GPI 3700/BLW 1400-2300 DLY WEF 1303251400-1303312300

The NOTAM states activity below 3700ft. I don't know where you came up with 22kft. Nellis has a range approved for UAV flight that is bigger than many east coast states, plus they transition to China Lake, so they don't need to go to Montana.

GPI is Glacier Park International, and 4.5nm SE of GPI is the location I stated in the original post, i.e. N48.263882 W114.165242. It is an airport where the VOR is located away from the airport, which might explain why the wrote the NOTAM in an odd manner, i.e. giving a location from the VOR itself and the airport.

There is an additional private runway at N48.265529 W114.172745.

There is a company in Montana called "Unmanned Systems" that makes the "Sandstorm".
Sandstorm