Category Archives: VTOL

University of New Hampshire Researchers Develop UAS for Orchard Management

UNHA University of New Hampshire plant pathologist and his doctoral student are using a remote-controlled helicopter to help apple farmers in the Northeast battle the persistent scourge of apple scab.

Kirk Broders, assistant professor of plant pathology, and Ph.D. student Matt Wallhead are working to bring precision agriculture to orchard management in the Northeast by developing a low-cost unmanned aircraft system. With a camera loaded with GPS and infrared technology, the UAS can “see” pests, nutrient stress, or early infections caused by the apple scab fungus. Continue reading

“Crash Happy” Gimball UAS Bounces Off Obstacles


An interesting flying robot has been created called Gimball that is specifically designed to be able to crash and recover quickly. The creators of the robot designed it to be used in situations that might be hazardous for humans. The flying device has a spherical roll cage mounted on pivots that allows the helicopter to stay upright, as well as to handle cramped spaces where other aircraft would likely crash. Continue reading

Public Safety Award for sUAS Programme in Canada

HaltonEarlier this week, two members of the Halton Regional Police Service were bestowed with a prestigious award during the 2013 International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference in Philadelphia.

The “Excellence in Police Aviation” award, sponsored by Bell Helicopter, was accepted by Detective Dave Banks and Constable Andrew Olesen for their efforts in the concept, research, formation and operation of a small Unmanned Aircraft System programme for the police service.  Continue reading