Joe Cozart, Grand Forks

Once, the skies of this republic were free — a shared realm of birds, man, and the occasional daring invention. Now, they are encumbered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a bloated gatekeeper of progress. The advent of drones, particularly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, has been shackled by Washington’s labyrinth of waivers and delays, serving entrenched interests rather than innovation. This is no longer a republic of invention, but a stagnant empire of bureaucracy.

The FAA’s preferred model, exemplified by North Dakota’s federally-backed Vantis system, seeks to impose a one-size-fits-all stranglehold on drone infrastructure. But such centralization ignores the diversity of our geography and economy. The alternative is both simpler and more Jeffersonian: return the skies to the states.

State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) possess the local knowledge and agility to craft drone corridors that serve their specific industries — be it agriculture in the Midwest, logistics in the South, or technology in the West. Unlike the federal monolith, state-led systems would foster innovation, economic growth, and local reinvestment. Consider Arkansas, where Walmart collaborates with state officials to pioneer decentralized drone delivery systems tailored to local needs. This contrasts starkly with Vantis, whose rigid, federally funded model benefits a few while stifling competition.

Critics will cry chaos, citing the need for uniform standards. Yet, as with our highways, cooperative federalism offers a solution: national safety guidelines with state management. Such decentralization would democratize the skies, unlocking opportunities for small businesses and farmers while creating new revenue streams and jobs.

The stakes are clear. Will we submit to Washington’s sterile monopoly, or will we empower states to experiment, innovate, and lead? Let us liberate the skies — not for the oligarchs of aviation, but for the farmers, entrepreneurs, and dreamers who keep this republic alive. In decentralization lies the promise of a more equitable and prosperous future.