LAKIN -
An unmanned aircraft, tested Saturday in Mason County, could help the Division of Forestry fight wild fires.
The tests were being controlled by a group of students from the University of Cincinnati. What makes the plane interesting to the West Virginia Department of Forestry is what's been attached to it.
The plane has a GPS system, cameras and the ability to locate and analyze a fire, information that is relayed immediately, without a pilot.
"All that without the risk of having dirty dangerous operations for our pilot," said University of Cincinnati student and project leader Rob Charvat.
The plane, when finished, will cost about $10,000. For that price though, Charvat said you're getting a bargain.
To get a helicopter to do this, it may take a few hours, and $10,000-$20,000.
"For what it would cost me for a days worth of helicopter support, I can buy something that lasts years," Charvat.
Division of Forestry officials lit bails of hay on fire for the plane to circle and analyze, testing its ability to identify and send back information.
Real world use is still five or 10 years away, but the goal is to put it in the hands of the West Virginia Division of Forestry, so they can operate it themselves.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WOWK. All Rights Reserved.
