Cyprus-Forum.com

[kurupetos]

PIONEERING research into unmanned aerial systems (UAS) carried out in Cyprus could soon see farmers, climatologists and event archaeologists monitoring the earth from the skies it emerged yesterday.

According to the Cyprus Institute’s Energy, Environment and Water Research Centre (EEWRC) Director, Manfred Lange, recent technological advances made by his team could offer an economical ways of carrying out other vital tasks, such as air pollution monitoring to assessment of natural disasters.

At a flight demonstration to mark the end of an international three day UAS workshop yesterday Lange said: “These planes are very versatile, easy to fly and relatively cheap compared to manned planes. For example, if you put cameras on them you can monitor water in the soil and determine most efficient water use.”

Four aircraft were showcased at the EEWRC’s demonstration in Kotsiatis yesterday: three propeller powered aeroplanes and a “quad-copter” which has four rotor blades and offers increased stability and manoeuvrability for functions like taking pictures.

Asked about the cost of the planes, Lange said: “The plane itself costs around €10,000, but with the additional implementation it adds up to between €40,000 and €50,000.” Lange said.

The technology is a timely arrival for the Eastern Mediterranean region, which the EEWRC says is likely to suffer “disproportionally and adversely” from climate change in the coming years. And while the cost of UAS seem high, they are a cheaper alternative to manned planes.

The centre said: “Using airplanes for monitoring and recording data helps to alleviate many of the limitations of both ground-based and satellite observations. However, their utilisation is usually restricted by extremely high costs per flight hour and constrained observing times.”

UAS offers a promising alternative. “Their small size and weight, in contrast to conventional systems currently in use, enable a relatively large range at moderate fuel demand. Being operated autonomously allows systematic surveys over long distances and over relatively long time periods.”

According to Lange, the EEWRC expects to be carrying out operational flights by the end of the year, although there are no plans yet to mass produce UAS for the civilian market, and that the EEWRC had made a conscious decision not to produce systems for the military.

For more information on the project, visit: http://eewrc.cyi.ac.cy/APAESO/APAESO

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/new-t ... s/20110331

[kurupetos]

When Professor kurupetos takes over, we'll be making our own WMD. The time is near.

[CBBB]

The problem I see with this technology being developed in Cyprus is that the planes will want to join a union and go on strike!

[quattro]

The problem I see with this technology being developed in Cyprus is that the planes will want to join a union and go on strike!

No no Professor kurupetos with his iron fist will not allow such things to happened ....................he will increase their salary........

Ps: and give away Carlsberg for calm them down .

[kurupetos]

The problem I see with this technology being developed in Cyprus is that the planes will want to join a union and go on strike!

No no Professor kurupetos with his iron fist will not allow such things to happened ....................he will increase their salary........

Ps: and give away Carlsberg for calm them down .

Definitely not KEO. You got that right.

[supporttheunderdog]

Can we use this technology to eliminate the flight staff and cabin crew on CY services, so reducing the budget of the airline and possibly improving the quality of the on-board service?

[parisp]

Flying planes Are called new technology in Cyprus???

OMG!!!!

Hope the government is not funding this!

There're 300 euro toys you control with your phone much more advanced than this!
http://vimeo.com/9124357