d i s t i n c t ly m o n ta n a • fa l l 2 0 1 4
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Can you thInk of uaS uSES WhICh mIght BE SPECIfIC to montana?
Forest fires quickly come to mind. In the early 1980s. I flew aerial
patrol for the U. S. Forest Service out of Butte, and later flew a
slurry bomber on forest fires. I foresee both those jobs flowing to
UAS platforms in the future.
Agriculture in Montana is a fertile area for UAS. Drone crop-
dusters are already being actively used. UAS could also carry
infrared and ultraviolet cameras to measure crop health and mois-
ture content in the soil, helping the farmers manage their crops.
Drones with normal cameras could help track and livestock and
check fences. UAS can also conduct a wide variety of mapping
and surveying projects.
Tourism is a big component of Montana's economy. UAS can
be used to film overhead videos of skiers, rafters, hikers, moun-
tain climbers, and horseback riders. They can also be used to film
gatherings such as weddings and sports events.
Potential UAS uses in Montana are limited only to the flight of
a person's imagination, because UAS can give everyone the "eye
of an eagle."
The nose camera on the EasyStar ii UAV transmits to a controller on the ground.
COnTinUED
