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FAA authorizes Predators to seek survivors



 
 
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Old August 3rd 06, 03:38 PM posted to rec.aviation.piloting
Dave S
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Default FAA authorizes Predators to seek survivors

FAA authorizes Predators to seek survivors

by Staff Sgt. Amy Robinson
Air Combat Command Public Affairs

8/2/2006 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE (AFPN) -- Traditionally tasked to hunt
for targets, Air Combat Command's Predators are now authorized to seek
survivors during disaster relief operations.

A certificate of authorization, issued by the Federal Aviation
Administration May 18, allows the MQ-1 or MQ-9 to support relief
operations by providing video and infrared search and rescue capability
within specified flight restrictions.

In 2005, 1st Air Force requested unmanned aircraft system support to
provide video for search and rescue purposes in the wake of Katrina;
however, because of national airspace restrictions, the request was
cancelled.

"We couldn't fly because we didn't have the authorization, and there
wasn't a sufficient amount of time to accomplish the necessary
coordination," said Tom Thibodeau, ACC unmanned aerial systems
management consultant. "Now, we have a process to receive approval to
fly Predators within hours as opposed to weeks."

Hurricane Katrina emphasized not only why it's important to have assets
readily available, but also to have an understanding in place between
the FAA and the military, said Lt. Col. Matthew Bannon, ACC chief of
unmanned aerial systems.

And now that Predators are authorized to fly in direct support of
disaster relief, these taskings must be balanced with their ongoing
overseas missions. With the exception of one training squadron, 100
percent of ACC's Predator assets are currently supporting operations
Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

"Right now, there are at least 10 crews flying over Iraq and Afghanistan
24 hours a day, seven days a week," Colonel Bannon said. "It would be a
net zero sum gain because there are so few people qualified to do it;
(the Predator) is a low-density, high-demand asset."

This high-demand asset could bring a number of capabilities to disaster
relief operations including sensors that would enable a search for
survivors.

Additionally, the MQ-1 also has an infrared camera with a digitally
enhanced zoom capable of identifying a heat source as small as a person
from 10,000 feet, the colonel said.

Another capability of the UAS is the electro-optical camera, which
identifies color as opposed to heat. This would allow rescue crews to
identify people using bright colors to signal rescue crews.

With the proper equipment -- a laptop and the right frequency -- the
Predator can relay these images back to the ground crew as they happen.

"Combine (imagery) with voice communication and you can direct the
Predator to different areas on the ground, providing an eye in the sky
for the search and rescue crews on the ground," Colonel Bannon said.

With all of the advantages the Predator could potentially bring to
future disaster relief operations, the colonel said the key is to help
people understand these benefits.

"We are working closely with the FAA to safely increase UAS access to
national air space," he said. "If it's the right thing to do for
disaster relief, then we certainly want to support search and rescue on
the ground."
 




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