Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Drone Demo comes to Alva
May 17, 2017
A group of technicians along with several teachers from Embry-Riddle University were in Oklahoma City near the State Capitol demonstrating drone technology on Monday. They received word of possible tornados in northwest Oklahoma so they moved their trailer full of drones to the Northwest Technology Center (NWTC) campus in Alva.
The timing was perfect as a regular meeting of local emergency responders was finishing up, so the men and women of the class could observe how drone technology might be used to assess damage from the air using drones.
Dr. Dan Macchiarella, PhD, professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronauctical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, was in Alva Tuesday afternoon. The group was successful in launching three or four DJI brand drones despite the gusty winds on the flat plain near NWTC. Inside an observation trailer, large monitors displayed the output of the drone cameras.
Macchiarella told us Embry-Riddle started their unmanned aircraft program in 2011. He said the reason his crew was in Oklahoma was to work with the state on how to respond to disasters using drone technology. The drones can provide a live video feed that the responders can see on their smart phones.
"We can also use our systems to map the destruction of, say, a tornado path," he said.
He said Embry-Riddle chose Oklahoma because of the wide variety of emergencies that seem to occur in the state. The instructor said the drones they have are infrared capable so they can be used at night also.
DJI is the most popular brand, holding about 70 percent of the drone market. He said small communities can likely afford the Phantom IV model that ranges in price from $1,200 to $2,000, depending upon extra accessories added. He also likes the DJI Inspire II, which is very capable and varies in cost from $2,000 to $6,000.
Intel, 3-D Robotics are competing brands to DJI that also produce fine drones, he said.
Macchiarella said OSU has an unmanned aircraft program. NWTC Superintendent Gerald Harris said that the vo-tech district has applied for a large grant that might put significant drone programs in place at both the Alva and Fairview campuses.
Embry-Riddle has three campuses nationwide: one in Daytona Beach; one in Prescott, Arizona; and lastly the "World Wide Campus," which is primarily for adult education.
"We have a site at Tinker Air Force Base and many other military bases," he said.
When asked "How are you handling the FAA rule that you must keep your drone within line of site?" Macchiarella said, "We are keeping our drones within line of site; however, you can apply for waivers from the FAA."
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