AP) – Plans to fly unmanned aircraft from a Michigan airport as part of a drone research effort are moving forward.

The Alpena News reports Birmingham-based R4 Robotics will begin testing a small experimental aircraft in the coming weeks at Alpena County Regional Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration earlier agreed to allow the flights.

Griffiss International Airport, a former Air Force Base in central New York, is teaming with the Northern Michigan Unmanned Aerial Systems Consortium to develop standards for integrating unmanned systems into national airspace and for civilian use.

Griffiss is aligned with the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, a nonprofit coalition of private industry, academic institutions and the military. They’ve been working to operate and manage drone test sites in some other states.

(AP)