The latest white paper from Intellisense Systems looks at the greatest weather-related challenges facing UAS and drone pilots. It also presents possible solutions for these key operations.
The use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) has exploded in the last decade. Sales of unmanned aircraft systems are expected to surpass $12 billion in 2021, and the primary driver of this growth is the amazing utility of drones in a number of applications, including:
- Package deliveries
- Agriculture
- Surveillance
- Visual inspections
- 3D mapping
- Video production
- Search-and-rescue
Here are the four greatest weather-related challenges for drone pilots and operators.
1. Weather Elements Reported
A study conducted by MIT Lincoln Laboratory concluded that drone pilots needed to account for 10 weather parameters to ensure a successful flight of their UAS. But there are several gaps in the number of weather parameters provided by METARs, TAFs, and pilot reports.2. Lack of Coverage
Area forecasts often fail to capture hyperlocal conditions where UAS are taking off, flying, or landing. Most small drones fly between 0-500 feet above ground level (AGL) with a maximum range of about 5 miles (8 kilometers). At these distances, flying a drone beyond the operator’s visual line of sight (BVLOS) requires accurate and present weather information within these distances.
As a result of these limitations, remote weather stations offer the best weather data gathering solutions for drone pilots and operators. But these solutions pose their own challenges.
3. Expense
Finding a locally installed surface observing solution that gathers those 10 key weather elements for UAS operations can be prohibitively expensive. While automated weather observing systems (AWOS) capture are used at airports worldwide, the cost of purchasing, installing, and maintaining an AWOS can be prohibitively high, especially for smaller operations.4. Portability
From irrigating fields to 3D mapping construction sites, drones can serve in almost any capacity in almost any location, so weather sensing solutions for UAS need to be as nimble as drones themselves. Unfortunately, many environmental sensing products do not offer the portability needed for drones’ various applications. AWOS systems are designed for permanent installation near general aviation sites, which could be miles away from prospective drone operations. And most remote automated weather stations (RAWS) require hardline power and several external devices to operate.
The newest white paper from Intellisense Systems looks at opportunities and solutions to close gaps in environmental sensing to ensure the safety and efficacy of UAS and drone applications. This 10-page document looks at each of these challenges in greater detail, including the 10 weather elements that affect UAS success. It also explores solutions for UAS/drones pilots who need these key weather parameters in even the most remote locations.
Download the full white paper by completing the form above.
