DENTON, Texas — Drone research is taking off and reaching new heights at the University of North Texas' new Advanced Air Mobility test facility. 

“I have never seen this of kind facility at any college or university,” said Ph.D. student Jaya Mandapaka.

The mesh-net facility opened in March. Mandapaka tests the drones and conducts research in a controlled environment.

“Before opening the drone facility, we used to fly our drones outside. There’s a small soccer field there. So we used to fly our drones there, but we sometimes we don't get to fly our drones just because of the FAA restrictions,” she said. 

The facility is 80 feet tall, 120 feet long and 300 feet wide. Because it's under the 400-foot FAA height restriction, students can test drones without a license. 

Dr. Shengli Fu teaches and is also the head of the Department of Electrical Engineering. He says the facility opens students to potential careers. 

“We want to prepare students for the future technology, for the future job opportunities, and even create a new position,” he said. 

Professor Fu says drones can be used in different industries, for example to inspect tall antennas. That's something that can be very costly if done without drones. 

UNT is working with groups including NASA and the North Central Texas Council of Governments to conduct research and give students even more experience.