A local business can now operate Unmanned Aircraft Systems, also known as drones, to survey and study local farmland.
T&K LLC owner Tim Norman said his business, which earned the FAA 333 exemption to operate drones, will offer farmers a deeper look into the condition of their crops.
“You can see wet spots, the ponds that are in your fields that you might need to make sure you get tiled after harvest is done,” Norman said. “A hailstorm might roll through and after the first couple of days, you can visibly see the damage. But after a week or two when the beans and corn start to grow, you may not be able to see the damage. Drones can see that hidden damage”
Norman explained that the drones will use conventional and thermal imaging technology to study the land.
“They can conduct survey and photography in support of financial and insurance services,” said Norman. “It’s really a regulatory way of keeping the air space as clean, clear and safe as possible.”
The business plans to charge farmers a flat rate per year.
“It would be based upon your acreage or based upon the number of fields that you have,” Norman said. “It’s just kind of building it into your budget. And then using our data center, we would then provide all of your images into the cloud or you could have them yourself.”
Norman said the use of drones will have a broader environmental impact that will benefit everyone, not just customers.
Source - http://www.wjbc.com/
