Mission planning is essential for flights for pilots and UAS. When going on a mission, it is important to plan it to assess any potential hazards and to be sure of the area that is being observed. Much like Lab 9, this lab will be split up differently to talk about one specific scenario. The scenario chosen for Lab 11 was a search and rescue within the Martell forest. A rescue team is being sent in within the hour, but the person could be moving. They are expected to be found. Figure 1 will show a satellite image of the forest.
For the Scenario, there is a choice of two different UA's:
For flying the UAV and mission planning, the surrounding airspace must be considered. Figure 2 shows the area on a sectional chart.
The mission area is just outside of the airspace of Purdue University airport. While flying the UAV, it must be noted that there could be possible airspace entry while it is circling the right side of the forest. Since majority of the time the UAV will be outside of the airspace, there is no need to contact ATC to receive authorization, but since there is the possibility it could barely enter, contacting for authorization would be suggested. In terms of missions, it is better to take precautions rather than making risks.
For the time being of this post being written, a METAR was found to better plan the mission if it were to happen within the hour. Figure 3 shows the METAR that was valid at the time.
At the time, the winds were blowing 310 degrees true north at 9 knots. The visibility was 10 statue miles. Skies were clear. The temperature was -8 Celsius with a dew point of 6 Celsius.
Clearly if the mission took place within the hour, it is completely doable. The winds are not too excessive for the UAV to operate, and there is not any precipitation that the crew would have to stress over. The main purpose for going over weather for flight planning is to make the planner aware of the possibilities of precipitation and that they are knowledgeable of the effects of it.
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| Figure 1: Above is a satellite image of the Martell forest. |
For the Scenario, there is a choice of two different UA's:
- Bramor PPX
- Fixed wing
- 3.5 hours of flight time
- Parachute landing
- Range of 150 km
- Altum Multispec or Sony RX1
- Price: Need quote to find actual price
- DJI M600
- Quadcopter so it is much easier to land/take off
- Customizability for better output batteries (TB47S to TB48S)
- Up to six different batteries
- 9.1 kg with 47S batteries, 9.6 kg with 48S batteries
- Max speed: 18 m/s
- Hover time with 47S batteries: 35 minutes without payload, 16 minutes with 6 kg payload
- Hover time with 48S batteries: 40 minutes without payload, 18 minutes with 5.5 kg payload
- Sony A600, Mica Sense Red Sense, or FLIR XT2
- Price: $3,600.00
For the purpose of this mission the Bramor PPX will be used because the area of the forest is not particularly large, making it easier for the UAS to survey the area for the person. Although the PPX might seem to be an overkill, the M600 would just not be good enough for the mission. With only 16 or 18 minutes of flight time with a payload, it would just not cut it. With the PPX, it gives the pilot in control (PIC) more time to fly the UAV, which it could then give continuous surveying for the rescue team to create a real time feed of where the person is located at. Since the vehicle has been discussed, there are a choice of two different sensors for the PPX.
- Altum Multispec
- Radiometric thermal
- Five high-resolution narrow bands (Includes multispectral, thermal, and high-resolution)
- Price: $9,950.00
- Sony RX1
- RGB
- Leaf shutter
- ISO, Shutter, Aperture settings
- Price: $2,400.00
The major take away from the specs is the noticeable price difference. Altum is very much the top of the market in terms of quality and price. Sony is definitely a good contender in the photography/sensor industry, so it is definitely not on the same level as Altum, but overall it is a very good sensor. For the purpose of the mission, the Sony RX1 will be used since it is obviously cheaper, very solid RGB sensor, and completely reliable.
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| Figure 2: Slightly to the left of Purdue University Airport, the Martell forest will be within that area (Around where the cross hair is placed in the image). |
The mission area is just outside of the airspace of Purdue University airport. While flying the UAV, it must be noted that there could be possible airspace entry while it is circling the right side of the forest. Since majority of the time the UAV will be outside of the airspace, there is no need to contact ATC to receive authorization, but since there is the possibility it could barely enter, contacting for authorization would be suggested. In terms of missions, it is better to take precautions rather than making risks.
For the time being of this post being written, a METAR was found to better plan the mission if it were to happen within the hour. Figure 3 shows the METAR that was valid at the time.
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| Figure 3: This is the METAR for KLAF that was valid on November 12, 2019 at 2:16 pm EST. |
At the time, the winds were blowing 310 degrees true north at 9 knots. The visibility was 10 statue miles. Skies were clear. The temperature was -8 Celsius with a dew point of 6 Celsius.
Clearly if the mission took place within the hour, it is completely doable. The winds are not too excessive for the UAV to operate, and there is not any precipitation that the crew would have to stress over. The main purpose for going over weather for flight planning is to make the planner aware of the possibilities of precipitation and that they are knowledgeable of the effects of it.
Conclusion
For the lost person in the Martell forest, the Bramor PPX with the Sony RX1 camera will be used. It allows for the crew to have continuous surveillance of the forest and gives accurate images for the crew to work with. If the mission were to happen within the hour of the post being composed, the mission could be executed since the conditions are favorable and the skies are clear.
Flight planning for UAS is critical. It allows for the PIC to become aware of all the factors needed to be put into consideration when wanting to start a mission. When planning, the type of vehicle needed, type of sensor to use, airspace of area, all need to be considered for a more successful mission.
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