Fixed-Wing UAV Flight Operation under Harsh Weather Conditions: A Case Study in Livingston Island Glaciers, Antarctica
How do the weather conditions typical of the polar maritime glaciers in the western Antarctic Peninsula region affect flight operations of fixed-wing drones and how should these be adapted for a successful flight? We tried to answer this research question through a case study for Johnsons and Hurd g...
Published in: | Drones |
---|---|
Main Authors: | , , , , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
MDPI AG
2022
|
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6120384 https://doaj.org/article/d07910977fa1451694c064c68f89139f |
id |
ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:d07910977fa1451694c064c68f89139f |
---|---|
record_format |
openpolar |
spelling |
ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:d07910977fa1451694c064c68f89139f 2023-05-15T14:02:19+02:00 Fixed-Wing UAV Flight Operation under Harsh Weather Conditions: A Case Study in Livingston Island Glaciers, Antarctica Ana Belén Bello Francisco Navarro Javier Raposo Mónica Miranda Arturo Zazo Marina Álvarez 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6120384 https://doaj.org/article/d07910977fa1451694c064c68f89139f EN eng MDPI AG https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/6/12/384 https://doaj.org/toc/2504-446X doi:10.3390/drones6120384 2504-446X https://doaj.org/article/d07910977fa1451694c064c68f89139f Drones, Vol 6, Iss 384, p 384 (2022) Antarctica glaciers RPAS UAS flight operation DSM Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics TL1-4050 article 2022 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6120384 2022-12-30T19:32:15Z How do the weather conditions typical of the polar maritime glaciers in the western Antarctic Peninsula region affect flight operations of fixed-wing drones and how should these be adapted for a successful flight? We tried to answer this research question through a case study for Johnsons and Hurd glaciers, Livingston Island, using a fixed-wing RPAS, in particular, a Trimble UX5 UAV with electric pusher propeller by brushless 700 W motor, chosen for its ability to fly long distances and reach inaccessible areas. We also evaluated the accuracy of the point clouds and digital surface models (DSM) generated by aerial photogrammetry in our case study. The results were validated against ground control points taken by differential GNSS techniques, showing an accuracy of 0.16 ± 0.12 m in the vertical coordinate. Various hypotheses were proposed and flight-tested, based on variables affecting the flight operation and the data collection, namely, gusty winds, low temperatures, battery life, camera configuration, and snow reflectivity. We aim to provide some practical guidelines that can help other researchers using fixed-wing drones under climatic conditions similar to those of the South Shetland Islands. Performance of the drone under harsh weather conditions, the logistical considerations, and the amount of snow at the time of data collection are factors driving the necessary modifications from those of conventional flight operations. We make suggestions concerning wind speed and temperature limitations, and avoidance of sudden fog banks, aimed to improve the planning of flight operations. Finally, we make some suggestions for further research. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Antarctic Peninsula Antarctica Livingston Island South Shetland Islands Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Antarctic Antarctic Peninsula South Shetland Islands Livingston Island ENVELOPE(-60.500,-60.500,-62.600,-62.600) Hurd ENVELOPE(-60.366,-60.366,-62.682,-62.682) Johnsons ENVELOPE(-60.350,-60.350,-62.665,-62.665) Drones 6 12 384 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Antarctica glaciers RPAS UAS flight operation DSM Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics TL1-4050 |
spellingShingle |
Antarctica glaciers RPAS UAS flight operation DSM Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics TL1-4050 Ana Belén Bello Francisco Navarro Javier Raposo Mónica Miranda Arturo Zazo Marina Álvarez Fixed-Wing UAV Flight Operation under Harsh Weather Conditions: A Case Study in Livingston Island Glaciers, Antarctica |
topic_facet |
Antarctica glaciers RPAS UAS flight operation DSM Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics TL1-4050 |
description |
How do the weather conditions typical of the polar maritime glaciers in the western Antarctic Peninsula region affect flight operations of fixed-wing drones and how should these be adapted for a successful flight? We tried to answer this research question through a case study for Johnsons and Hurd glaciers, Livingston Island, using a fixed-wing RPAS, in particular, a Trimble UX5 UAV with electric pusher propeller by brushless 700 W motor, chosen for its ability to fly long distances and reach inaccessible areas. We also evaluated the accuracy of the point clouds and digital surface models (DSM) generated by aerial photogrammetry in our case study. The results were validated against ground control points taken by differential GNSS techniques, showing an accuracy of 0.16 ± 0.12 m in the vertical coordinate. Various hypotheses were proposed and flight-tested, based on variables affecting the flight operation and the data collection, namely, gusty winds, low temperatures, battery life, camera configuration, and snow reflectivity. We aim to provide some practical guidelines that can help other researchers using fixed-wing drones under climatic conditions similar to those of the South Shetland Islands. Performance of the drone under harsh weather conditions, the logistical considerations, and the amount of snow at the time of data collection are factors driving the necessary modifications from those of conventional flight operations. We make suggestions concerning wind speed and temperature limitations, and avoidance of sudden fog banks, aimed to improve the planning of flight operations. Finally, we make some suggestions for further research. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Ana Belén Bello Francisco Navarro Javier Raposo Mónica Miranda Arturo Zazo Marina Álvarez |
author_facet |
Ana Belén Bello Francisco Navarro Javier Raposo Mónica Miranda Arturo Zazo Marina Álvarez |
author_sort |
Ana Belén Bello |
title |
Fixed-Wing UAV Flight Operation under Harsh Weather Conditions: A Case Study in Livingston Island Glaciers, Antarctica |
title_short |
Fixed-Wing UAV Flight Operation under Harsh Weather Conditions: A Case Study in Livingston Island Glaciers, Antarctica |
title_full |
Fixed-Wing UAV Flight Operation under Harsh Weather Conditions: A Case Study in Livingston Island Glaciers, Antarctica |
title_fullStr |
Fixed-Wing UAV Flight Operation under Harsh Weather Conditions: A Case Study in Livingston Island Glaciers, Antarctica |
title_full_unstemmed |
Fixed-Wing UAV Flight Operation under Harsh Weather Conditions: A Case Study in Livingston Island Glaciers, Antarctica |
title_sort |
fixed-wing uav flight operation under harsh weather conditions: a case study in livingston island glaciers, antarctica |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
publishDate |
2022 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6120384 https://doaj.org/article/d07910977fa1451694c064c68f89139f |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-60.500,-60.500,-62.600,-62.600) ENVELOPE(-60.366,-60.366,-62.682,-62.682) ENVELOPE(-60.350,-60.350,-62.665,-62.665) |
geographic |
Antarctic Antarctic Peninsula South Shetland Islands Livingston Island Hurd Johnsons |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic Antarctic Peninsula South Shetland Islands Livingston Island Hurd Johnsons |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctic Peninsula Antarctica Livingston Island South Shetland Islands |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctic Peninsula Antarctica Livingston Island South Shetland Islands |
op_source |
Drones, Vol 6, Iss 384, p 384 (2022) |
op_relation |
https://www.mdpi.com/2504-446X/6/12/384 https://doaj.org/toc/2504-446X doi:10.3390/drones6120384 2504-446X https://doaj.org/article/d07910977fa1451694c064c68f89139f |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6120384 |
container_title |
Drones |
container_volume |
6 |
container_issue |
12 |
container_start_page |
384 |
_version_ |
1766272542933254144 |