By Jonathon Howard
DRONES could soon be buzzing over the heads of Warwick residents after the Southern Downs Regional Council was called upon to support the launching of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from Warwick Aerodrome.
Southern Downs Regional Councillors were asked to support the introduction of a UAV training centre in a letter from V-TOL Aerospace director Kelvin Hutchinson, dated 16 April.
Mr Hutchinson anticipates that UAV’s will become the rural sector’s most useful tool for analysing and spraying crops, identifying weed types and vermin, checking cattle, bores and fence lines and assisting rural fire fighters and rescue operations.
In his letter, Mr Hutchinson said that Queensland now has the world’s first aviation authority with an approved UAV training academy.
If approved, the UAV’s, which should not be confused with military drones, would weigh about 20kg and have almost a three metre wingspan.
However, the letter said future plans would include the use of long-range UAVs with mogas and avgas motors weighing about 100kg.
“UAV flight training would be undertaken from the grass and sealed airstrips and would be undertaken at below 400 feet,” the letter read.
“All flight operations would be undertaken with Civil Aviation Safety Authority Area Approvals and would be conducted during daylight hours.
“All rules of the air would be followed at all times.”
Councillors were expected to vote on the motion during Council’s general meeting in Warwick on Wednesday, 26 June.
BREAK OUT
Mr Hutchinson said that Warwick Aerodrome has been identified as a desired location for drones due to:
· * Warwick Aerodrome is located two hours from Brisbane which is where the Civic Aviation Authority is located.
· * Being within one hour from Marburg, which is where the existing UAV Academy is located, however there is no airfield at this location.
· * Sparsely populated surroundings but is still close to Warwick, Toowoomba and Brisbane where a number of UAV operators are based.
· * Strategic location for search and rescue operations.
· * Nearby unpopulated bushland where the majority of light training could be undertaken (Bony Mountain and the western side of Leslie Dam).
· * Availability of vacant sites for potential establishment of facilities.
· * Existing UAV operators establishing facilities at the Warwick Aerodrome for research and development, manufacturing, software development and consultation.
