Mark Weiner at syracuse.com reports that Syracuse-based NUAIR won federal designation to operate one of six national test sites for radio-controlled drone aircraft. On Jan. 3 the NUAIR alliance announced that New York City-based Flyterra has signed a deal to become the company's first customer. Flyterra wants to be a major operator of mini-drones providing high-resolution imagery for customers in the agriculture, mining, natural gas, and oil industries. "Flyterra -- whose slogan is "your business from above" -- announced in October a partnership with Delair-Tech to become the exclusive U.S. and Canadian supplier of the lightweight DT-18 drones," Weiner writes. NUAIR's test ranges will be based at Griffiss International Airport in Rome and Joint Base in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Weiner also reports that Hancock Field in Mattydale, home of the 174th Attack Wing and its MQ-9 Reaper drones, will be part of this deal, and Fort Drum's Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield will also be included. The Air National Guard's 174th Attack Wing uses the Army airfield for its training missions with Reaper drones. Read more at syracuse.com.