Speaker: Ardyth M. Williams (Ardy)


Ardy

Integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS)
Demand is growing to operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the integrated National Airspace System (NAS). United States Congress has called for and funded programs to study and eventually mandate the use of UAS in support of homeland security missions and other purposes including State and Local law enforcement agencies. UAS are also an emerging segment of the commercial aviation industry, and commercial entities want to operate them in the NAS. Manufacturers and operators are researching and designing aircraft that could fill niche markets unimagined just a decade ago. Commercial research and development are being conducted for UAS to support law enforcement, homeland security, firefighting, and weather prediction and tracking activities. The FAA has sole authority over the safe and efficient use of the United States NAS, including operations by the military, government, private pilots, and commercial entities. To that end, the FAA must take appropriate actions to ensure the safety of the public, which includes the flying public, as well as people and property on the ground. That responsibility extends to the operation of UAS in the NAS. This presentation will address how the Federal Aviation Administration is integrating unmanned aircraft into the NAS.

Current Position: Air Traffic Manager, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, for the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Organization; System Operations Services. FAA Corporate Pilot, Gulfstream III/IV.

Education: Graduated from Purdue University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Technology.

Ratings: Full Performance Level Journeyman Controller, Air Transport Rated Pilot; G-1159 Type Rated, Certified Fight Instructor; Single and Multi Engine Land, Instrument, Certified Ground Instructor, Advanced and Instrument. International Civil Aviation Organization, Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme; Safety Oversight Auditor.

Work Experience: Air Traffic: Journeyman Controller, Quality Assurance Specialist, Area Supervisor, Indianapolis ARTCC. Deputy Air Traffic Manager, New York ARTCC, Operations Manager, Eastern Region. Specialist, Branch, Division, and Deputy Program Manager in Washington HQ. Pilot: Chief Flight Instructor Part 141 School, Commuter and Corporate Pilot.

Organizational Memberships: Former National Vice-President Professional Women Controllers, member of the Women’s pilot organization, the 99’s, Women in Aviation, Soaring Society of America and Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association. Listed in the Who’s Who of American Women and the Who’s Who of Women of the World.

Awards: Government: White House Silver award for Volunteerism, Transportation Secretary’s Gold Medal Award for work on the Garrett A. Morgan Technology the Transportation Futures Program, Silver Medal for disaster recovery work for the DOT and 9/11 Service Ribbon. Industry: Received a Distinguished Leadership Award for Extraordinary Education in the Aviation Profession, International award from the 99’s for Aviation Education and an Air Traffic Control Association Award for Aviation Education.