Understanding Key UAS Fundamentals through Applied Research
For the successful application of UAS towards any project, key fundamentals must be understood and deployed strategically for safe end profitable operation. Most of what is needed to fly a drone is built in to the software that automates the flight for you. This automation technology is at a point where the operation of a UAS is as simple as "point and click". However, to get the most out of a drone operations and to remain within the legal and moral boundaries of drone use, UAS fundamentals must be understood. To reach this goal, a culmination effort from eight undergraduates and one professor will be undertaken that will end with an understanding of key UAS fundamentals through applied research. The proposed Drone Amphitheater Applied Research Capstone project (DAARC) will demonstrate fundamentals of UAS applications by applying research techniques with the creation of GIS driven products. The products will be the basis of research for a multifaceted combined research project.
Purpose
Moving forward with any project first requires purpose and direction. This "capstone" project is no different. The purpose; create a digital profile for the
Tippecanoe County Amphitheater. This database would provide graphical, statistical and analytical information for future research. The hope is for the use of this data would lead to the creation of geospatial and orthomosaic maps. The initial target areas for research include flood stage analysis, man-made structure analysis, and terrain mapping. This will be done through the collection of data primary using sophisticated cameras and sensors utilizing multiple dynamic UAS platforms.
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| Tippecanoe County Amphitheater |
Direction
Organisation will play a major role throughout the DAARC project. In order to finish the project in the amount of time available, efficiency and utilization of a timeline is required. In addition, efficiency of data collection and associated processing will be paramount. To meet this requirement, certain roles and responsibility will be assigned, directed and executed throughout the duration of the project To foster an environment of learning through this applied research technique, certain duties will be rotated between team members throughout the term. To accomplish this, a hierarchy of responsibility is to be established. Below is outline of the major roles needed to complete the DAARC project and accompanying key responsibilities.
Head Project Manager
- Assigns roles
- Task specific dedicated researchers
- Develops plan for data collection to met mission requirement
- marry sensor to platform
- marry platform to mission
- Supervises flight operations
- Participates in mission briefs and debriefs
Operations Manager
- Develops all aspects of flight operations
- Preforms pre-operations checks and inspections
- Coordinates with community
- ensures all rules and regulations are being followed
- Participates in mission briefs and debriefs
Operations Technician
- Maintains and accounts for all associated ground equipment.
- Ensures security and integrity of operational area during flights.
- maintains flight and mission logbooks
- Participates in mission briefs and debriefs
Flight Engineer / Pilot in Command (pic)
- Maintains/ prepares flight equipment
- Conducts flight operations
- Follows laws and regulations
- Participates in mission briefs and debriefs
Payload Integration Technician
- Coordinates with project manager to assign aircraft and payload combination
- Ensures data collection capabilities matches mission needs
- Participates in mission briefs and debriefs
Product Development Supervisor/Editor
- Ensures data collection meets mission needs
- Organizes data to promote product development
- Participates in mission briefs and debriefs
Liaison and Operational Assistant
- Provides feedback to mission coordinator for critical analysis of operations
- Acts as bridge of communication between members and course instructor
- Participates in mission briefs and debriefs
One outcome of the applied research capstone (DAARC) is a dynamic, detailed map of the entire amphitheater. This map will be the basis for an analytical research paper for comparing flood stages of the Wabash river and its effect on the community at the amphitheater. While applying research techniques, it will be come evident what basic UAS skills are required. Some basic skills to be applied during the project include; teamwork, organization, communication, the technological understating of equipment, and application of technology correctly and efficiently towards the development of a meaningful product.
