APPLICATION OF A FIXED-WING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) IN REFORESTATION OF LEBANONMustafa SAHIN, M. Tulin YILDIRIM Studies and development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) started shortly after the first controlled, powered, heavier-than-air human flight in 1903. UAVs have many advantages over piloted aircraft, such as minimizing human risk, flying economically, and flying for extended periods of time. Early UAVs were mostly developed for military purposes, but modern development encompasses both military and civilian uses and is now pursued worldwide. While UAVs serve a number of important civilian functions such as traffic control, pipeline observation, road maintenance, dam surveillance, forest fire search/observation, dispersal of insecticides on rice paddies and determination of harvest periods of agricultural products, their potential in reforestation efforts is untested. They are a promising, highly efficient and practical means of seed dispersal, particularly in hard-to-reach areas. In Turkey, UAVs stand to play a vital role in the ongoing reforestation efforts of cedar trees. Cedars are one of the most valuable and versatile trees in Turkey and have suffered from severe overcutting, as well as overgrazing by livestock over many years. In this study, a civilian UAV was developed specifically for cedar tree reforestation. A model aircraft was modified, and an originally designed and produced seed dispersal system was mounted on the UAV. Two test flights at different altitudes were carried out in Golbasi, Ankara, July 12, 2011. According to the test flight results, at altitudes of 9 meters and 6 meters, seed dispersal reached widths of 45 and 30 meters, respectively. Further, the density of seed distribution for both tests was compatible with favorable conditions for seed germination. When the test results are examined, the UAV is proven to be a versatile, economical, safe and highly effective tool in reforestation efforts. |