GPS/GIS Controlled Precision Aerial Application
| Problem: | Integration of GIS/GPS systems into agricultural aircraft has already been instigated by a number of companies. One of the main uses of this instrumentation is in real-time application guidance to insure even spray coverage, and to prevent off-target and buffer zone spraying. These systems may have automated on/off switching to insure only on-target application. Even though this system triggers on/off switching of spray as a function of global location, other parameter such as airspeed, groundspeed, meteorology, and system response time affect actual ground deposition cut-off point. |
| Objective: | |
| Approach: | Performance testing of a given control system will involve spray deposition sampling along the line of flight, parallel to the wind direction. For on-switch testing, flight direction will be into the wind to prevent drift past trigger location onto no-spray zone. For off-switch testing, flight direction will be with the wind for the same reason. The mylar string sampling protocol will return relative spray deposition per unit length of string allowing for system response to be evaluated and tweaked to optimal performance. Once system is operating as desired, deposition sampling will be performed using evenly spaced mylar cards for deposition concentration measurements to be made. |
| Accomplishment: | |
|
Significant Impact |
Bradley K. Fritz