UAVs Will Study Californian Smog

Roland Piquepaille writes "The California Energy Commission is funding a research effort named CAPPS, short for California AUAV Air Pollution Profiling Study. CAPPS will use autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (AUAVs) to gather meteorological data as the aircraft fly through clouds over Southern California. The goal is to study smog and its consequences as well as better understand the sources of air pollution. The first flights started in April 2008 and data collection will continue until January 2009. But read more for additional references and photos of these autonomous unmanned aircraft."

Comments

And why?

[FreeBSD evangelist]

Are UAVs better for this job then conventional manned aircraft?

UAVs make sense where the flight is into harms way, but this?

Re:And why?

[MBCook]

I assume it's primarily a cost type thing. Flying 4 small automated UAVs is probably cheaper than even 1 manned craft.

There are other possible reasons too. At their size, it's relatively easy to fly the UAVs at low alititudes (like 1 or 2k feet). They are going to be quiet (unlike a small Cessna) when close to the ground. They could be run 'round the clock, and if they can hold a charge (or they put solar panels on 'em) they could stay up for 12+ hours at a time.

I can see some real good points for why you may want a UAV.

sure, you've earned my trust

[frovingslosh]

Pay no attention to the government aircraft constantly above your heads. They are only there to study smog.