Battle Creek, Michigan has been selected by an economic development agency to be the location for a new “advanced air mobility park” called MICH-AIR. This park will serve multiple purposes, including being a manufacturing site for large drones, a center for drone operations, a hub for maintenance and training, and a terminal for urban air mobility.

The development agency behind MICH-AIR, Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU), has chosen New York-based aerospace company ResilienX to integrate the drone flight systems for the park. This will allow for remote and automated drone operations, even beyond the visual line of sight, in Battle Creek and other areas.

Essentially, ResilienX will be creating both physical and digital systems that will enable drones to fly without a pilot directly controlling them. This BVLOS system is a key component of MICH-AIR and will support various use-cases such as public safety, infrastructure inspections, medical logistics, and more.

According to BCU President and CEO Joe Sobieralski, this project is not just about enabling drone flights, but also about creating sustainable infrastructure that will allow for safe and confident operations on a larger scale. This partnership with ResilienX will help accelerate BCU’s vision for MICH-AIR and establish Battle Creek as a key player in the future of aviation.

Battle Creek has been identified as a prime location for the MICH-AIR program due to its existing airport, available capacity in the air and on the ground, strategic location between Detroit and Chicago, and community assets. BCU also secured $7 million in funding from the 2024 Michigan State Budget and $10 million from the 2024 Make it in Michigan budget for drone infrastructure projects.

According to Andrew Carter, CEO of ResilienX, MICH-AIR is not just an experimental project, but a deliberate investment in infrastructure that will support real operations, real users, and long-term economic growth. This approach is seen as a leading example for integrating drone flight systems into the national airspace system.

The BVLOS system is expected to be fully operational within a year and will solidify Battle Creek’s role in the future of aviation. MICH-AIR is not just a project, but a long-term investment in the infrastructure needed for the advancement of air mobility.