Drone Technology: What Works for Industry & Landowners Michael J. Buschermohle Interim Assistant Dean UT Extension
So You Want to Fly FAA Regulations UAS Platforms Cameras Applications in Forestry
Current FAA Regulations Hobby or Recreation Flying a model aircraft at the local model aircraft club Taking photographs with a model aircraft for personal use Using a model aircraft to move a box from point to point without any kind of compensation Viewing a forest to locate hickory nut trees to hunt squirrels Not Hobby or Recreation Receiving money for demonstrating aerobatics with a model aircraft A realtor using a model aircraft to photograph a property that he/she is trying to sell and publishing the photos in a real estate listing Delivering packages to people for a fee Determining when to harvest a forest or to determining the extent of pest or fire damage
Current FAA Regulations Commercial Operations 1) Fly under the small UAS rule follow all rules under 14 CFR part 107, including aircraft and pilot requirements Or 2) Obtain and follow a 333 Exemption
Current FAA Regulations Operator Certification and Responsibilities Establishes a remote pilot in command position. A person operating a small UAS must either hold a remote pilot airman certificate with a small UAS rating or be under the direct supervision of a person who does hold a remote pilot certificate (remote pilot in command). To qualify for a remote pilot certificate, a person must: Demonstrate aeronautical knowledge by either: - Passing an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center; or - Hold a part 61 pilot certificate other than student pilot, complete a flight review within the previous 24 months, and complete a small UAS online training course provided by the FAA. Be vetted by the Transportation Security Administration. Be at least 16 years old.
Current FAA Regulations Operational Limitations No operations are allowed in Class A (18,000 feet & above) airspace. Operations in Class B, C, D and E airspace are allowed with the required ATC permission. Operations in Class G airspace are allowed without ATC permission
Current FAA Regulations Operational Limitations
Current FAA Regulations Operational Limitations Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 lbs. (25 kg). Visual line-of-sight (VLOS) only No person may act as an operator for more than one unmanned aircraft operation at one time. May not operate over any persons not directly involved in the operation. Daylight-only operations (official sunrise to official sunset, local time). Must yield right-of-way to other aircraft, manned or unmanned.
Current FAA Regulations Operational Limitations Maximum airspeed of 100 mph (87 knots). Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level. Minimum weather visibility of 3 miles from control station. No operations from a moving vehicle or aircraft, except from a watercraft on the water. No careless or reckless operations. Requires preflight inspection by the operator.
Current FAA Regulations Aircraft Requirements Operator must maintain a small UAS in condition for safe operation Prior to flight must inspect the UAS to ensure that it is in a condition for safe operation. Aircraft Registration required (same requirements that apply to all other aircraft). Must register UAV with the FAA Aircraft markings required (same requirements that apply to all other aircraft).
Remote Pilot Certificate Exam Sectional Charts
Remote Pilot Certificate Exam 1. A stall occurs when the smooth airflow over the unmanned airplane`s wing is disrupted, and the lift degenerates rapidly. This is caused when the wing exceeds the maximum speed. exceeds maximum allowable operating weight. exceeds its critical angle of attack. 2. What are characteristics of a moist, unstable air mass? Poor visibility and smooth air. Stratiform clouds and showery precipitation. Cumuliform clouds and showery precipitation. 3. According to 14 CFR part 107, how may a remote pilot operate an unmanned aircraft in class C airspace The remote pilot must contact the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility after launching the unmanned aircraft. The remote pilot must monitor the Air Traffic Control (ATC) frequency from launch to recovery. The remote pilot must have prior authorization from the Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility having jurisdiction over that airspace.
Unmanned Aerial Systems AgriEye Multirotor UASs Vertical takeoff and landings Ability to hover Limited flight time Difficult to fly if not fully automated Requires fully automated flight features for full usability Requires more maintenance Relatively inexpensive SenseFly Fixed-Wing UASs Hand/catapult launched Longer flight time, can cover a lot of area Difficult to fly if not fully automated Requires fully automated flight features for full usability Minimal maintenance More expensive
Unmanned Aerial Systems UAV Communications UAS GPS Auto-Pilot Cameras
Communications
GPS/Autopilot
Cameras UASs are a Platform to Collect Images Video - Get live video feed on smartphone, laptop or tablet RGB Cameras (Red, Green and Blue) Multispectral Cameras (R, G, B, NIR, RedEdge) Hyperspectral Imaging Cameras Thermal Imaging Cameras Lidar (Elevation) Camera Technology is Rapidly Evolving!
Remote Sensing
Remote Sensing - Visual Imaging Gives you a bird s eye view Equipment Multi-Rotor GPS/Autopilot Video camera Gimbal camera mount Ability to live stream video to the ground Monitor, laptop, tablet or smartphone DJI Phantom Trimble ZX5
Remote Sensing - Visual Imaging Diseases Insects Growth Progress Storm/Fire Damage Harvesting www.scoutaerial.com.au U.S. Geological Survey/Flickr
Remote Sensing - Mapping Equipment UAS Fixed-Wing or Multi-Rotor GPS/Autopilot Camera Laptop, tablet Internet access Sensefly ebee Precision Hawk Trimble UX5 DJI Phantom
Remote Sensing - Mapping
Remote Sensing - Visual Imaging Diseases Insects Growth Progress Storm/Fire Damage Harvesting www.scoutaerial.com.au U.S. Geological Survey/Flickr
Remote Sensing - Mapping https://drone-mapper
Remote Sensing - Mapping https://daac-news.ornl.gov
Remote Sensing - Mapping PrecisionHawk
Remote Sensing - Mapping Auburn University
Remote Sensing - Mapping Sept. 27, 2016 Auburn University Nov. 2, 2016
Remote Sensing - Mapping NDVI
Remote Sensing - Mapping Pix4D
Remote Sensing - Mapping www.mosaicmill.com
Remote Sensing - Mapping Green Valley International
Remote Sensing - Mapping www.interpine.co.nz
Integrating UASs in Your Forestry Operation What are you hoping to do with the data? Flying The type of UAS you need The type of camera you need Making Decisions Data Processing Do you process the data yourself Computing power requirements How do you move and store data Are you set-up to use the data?
Processing the Data Questions to Think About Moving data around What kind of internet speed do you have Consumer grade internets are built for download not upload Companies may throttle your internet with too much use The Industry is Evolving!
So What Are Your Options You buy it You fly it You crash it You process the data You make the management decisions
So What Are Your Options You buy it You fly it You crash it Let a 3 rd party vendor process the data You make the management decisions
So What Are Your Options Let someone else buy it Let someone else fly it Let someone else crash it Let someone else process the data You make the management decisions
Take Home Applications UASs have the potential to make forestry operation more sustainable Know what you want to do with a UAS before buying one Visual scouting is the easiest application Mapping brings about data processing challenges Potential for inaccurate data without proper data capture and processing While UASs maybe fun to fly, don t consider them toys
Questions