by UAS Coordinator Brandon Klein
The South Carolina Forestry Commission hosted a Drone Demonstration Day with Hunter Ardrey, an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) representative from Duncan-Parnell, July 16.
The event allowed agency personnel to explore several professional drone platforms through presentations and demonstrations and consider which aircraft could best support the Commission’s future operational needs.
Drones on display
- Freefly Astro
- WISPR SkyScout 2+
- Inspired Flight IF800 Tomcat quadcopters
- WingtraRAY vertical takeoff and landing fixed wing aircraft
Potential uses (dependent on aircraft and payload configuration)
- Aerial ignition
- Surveying and mapping
- Live video feeds
- Photography and videography
- Incident monitoring
The WingtraRAY is designed to efficiently cover large mapping projects, while the quadcopters provide the ability to hover, operate in confined areas and carry specialized cameras or equipment. These drones will help foresters identify dead or declining trees, insect damage, diseases, infections and other forest health concerns.
During wildfires, drones will provide real time aerial information that will help direct firefighting crews, monitor fire activity, protect homes and reduce damage to property. Additionally, they will help the general public following wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and other severe storms.
Aerial imagery and mapping will help document damage to homes, forests, roads and other property.
We can use this information to help support damage assessments, disaster recovery efforts, block grant applications and other public assistance programs.