Because of its sensitivity to the presence of flowers, the blue band present in the RedEdge-P, RedEdge-P dual and Altum-PT drone sensors is at the heart of flower counting or bloom density analysis. Flower count is notably important for fruit-tree growers since it has a direct link to yield. Flowers are the reproductive structure of flowering plants and will eventually become fruits after fecundation. Therefore, the bloom density of a tree can be an indication of how fruitful the subsequent harvest will be.
The primary goal of multispectral imaging in agriculture is to detect subtle variation in plant health before visible symptoms appear. For instance, a grower could spot a small reduction in a plant’s chlorophyll content before the leaves start to turn yellow.
Ultimately most Micasense series RedEdge users want to calibrate raw images from the camera into reflectance maps. This can be done using off-the-shelf software from third parties, but you are here because there is no fun in that! While we know multispectral sensors and agricultural data analysis, we know that you’re experts in your field too. So we’ve written a tutorial to show programmatically-minded users how to convert RedEdge data from raw images to radiance and then to reflectance.
The ideal way to charge a drone’s battery? Inside a battery-safe LiPo guard bag.
If you know you’re going to be flying, plan ahead.
Correct disposal of damaged batteries.
Methods for capturing and processing data with low overlap have recently garnered some attention in the agricultural drone industry. The idea is that by reducing the amount by which images overlap, overall flight time is reduced, ultimately saving drone pilots time and money. While it’s true that this method does save time, the bottom line is that it presents an important tradeoff: it sacrifices accuracy, resolution, and valuable outputs to save an extra five minutes in the field.
At MicaSense, we believe in delivering more than pretty pictures. We believe in providing scientific solutions that address real problems. Whether it’s designing multispectral sensors that does not compromise or creating analytics that translate to dollars saved, focusing on solving real problems is how we bring value to our customers. Here is some of the science that powers our beliefs.
On June 21, 2016 the FAA published the final version of its small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) regulations, which will come into effect on August 29, 2016. This guide explains what these long-awaited rules mean for existing and future commercial operators. (Don’t see your question? Please add it in the comments below.)
Since 2012, the FAA has been working to clear the path for the wider use of drones for governmental and commercial purposes. This work saw the FAA propose a full set of rules in February 2015. Then on June 21, after much anticipation, the FAA’s drone regulations were finalised in the form of Part 107 of Chapter 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Once these drone rules take effect on August 29, 2016 (60 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register), they will ease the administrative burden of commercial and governmental drone operators across the United States. Small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) operators will not be required to pass a medical exam, or have liability insurance. No Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) will need to be filed prior to commencing a drone operation, and operators will only need to pass an aeronautical knowledge test rather than acquire any form of pilot’s license.
The key difference between the FAA’s previously proposed draft rules and this week’s part 107 rules? The maximum above-ground flight height permitted. This has been set at 400 feet, rather than the widely expected ceiling of 500 feet.
Also, with Part 107, there no longer is a minimum distance required to fly near airports/airfields. Instead, it is determined by airspace Classes, which is beneficial for U.S. operators considering the large amount of airfields/landing strips accessible in the country in Class G. Identifying airspace is easier now as well since it is based on existing maps and data.
To learn more about Part 107, browse our Q&A below. You can, of course, also browse the FAA’s own Part 107 resources, listed at the end of this post.
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Part 107 refers to the part 107 of Chapter 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Known more informally as the FAA’s ‘small UAS rule’, Part 107 is designed to allow the use of sUAS weighing up to 55 lbs without the need for a Section 333 exemption (a previous requirement for commercial usage).
Part 107 will come into effect on August 29, 2016.
Part 107 states that commercial operators of small UAS must the following requirements:
Aircraft
Operator (A.K.A. the ‘Remote Pilot in Command’ or RPIC)
Operational limitations
In case of an accident
Existing Section 333 holders can simply continue as they are, operating under their 333’s constraints, or follow Part 107 with less constraints than previously:
The vast majority of the several thousand outstanding Section 333 exemption applications will transfer directly to Part 107 or will be transferred into the FAA’s waiver process. However some exemption applications will still need to be processed separately. (And some operators, in rare cases, will continue under Section 333 exemptions.)
At one of the FAA’s Testing Centers, listed here.
Following Part 107’s implementation date on August 29, 2016.
Yes. Learn how via this FAA page.
Yes, using the unique identifier obtained during the drone registration process.
Each country has a different policy on drone use. For example, not all regulators make a hard distinction between commercial and non-commercial use, and some require a pilot certificate or license while others do not. That said, like Part 107, UAS regulations do often specify visual line-of-sight operation, a maximum flight height, not flying over people/crowds or within restricted airspaces etc.
Providing you hold a non-student Part 61 pilot certificate there is no need to take this test. Instead you must complete an online course. This will be available following part 107’s implementation in late August at www.faasafety.gov.
The applicable regulation is section 336 of Public Law 112-95 (model aircraft usage). This generally permits operations in remotely populated areas away from airports, persons and buildings, below 400 feet AGL, and operated within visual line of sight.
