Unmanned Aircraft in Disaster Areas Served

Drone? War and supervision. That's what occurred to many people. Though the device could also be of great assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters. For example, after the typhoon in the Philippines.

Mark created Rösens plane weighs about two pounds, can spin in the air for 20 minutes and was named 'AscTec Falcon 8.' At first glance it looks like a helicopter aircraft toy. But this is actually sophisticated unmanned aircraft, from the company Ascending Technologies. Aircraft equipped with eight propellers, GPS and high resolution cameras.


Since a few years ago, Rosen worked on the German aid organization, ISAR (International Search and Rescue) Germany as a member of rescuers. When assigned in the Philippines November 2013, he traveled for the first time using AscTec Falcon 8, as support in a crisis situation. "With the plane we can see the location and recording situation, whether the roads impassable," said Rosen. For the team, it's a big advantage, because in the area of ​​crisis situations are often too risky to send people.
Old map shows the traverse time

I.S.A.R. Germany specializing in the search and rescue of victims. His team is ready to help, if there is a building collapse, explosion, earthquake or floods and storms in various parts of the world. End of November his organization sent two teams, which consisted of 39 doctors, nurses and savior to the city of Palo, Philippines. Rosen and his team can help more than 2,400 people in a period of about two weeks. The main task of distributing drugs.

In the rescue operation, the element of time is very important. But according to Rosen, the photographs from satellites often comes too late, because the satellite is often necessary to direct a few hours. With the drone, in a short time the actual photograph can be obtained, as it is sent over radio waves to the ground station. The picture quality is also better, because taking a closer distance, and moreover has a 24 mega pixel camera.

Practical Tools
The photos of the air made drone is then compared with a map from Google Maps . With the help of the coordinates , they can immediately divides the task and distribute the data to other rescue organizations . In a short time they can also decide , at the location where tents can be set up to help treat the victims .
In addition to the advantage of high -quality photographs , with self-owned aircraft , bureaucratic obstacle can be overcome as well . " The aircraft can be used immediately , without waiting for permission from anyone . And after a day course with our coaches , everyone can control , " explained Matthias Beldzik , field marketing manager of the company Ascending Technologies .
Danoffice IT Company of Switzerland also specializes in the placement in the affected areas . Liam Dawson Engineers go to disaster areas in the Philippines by bringing two drone ' Huginn X1 . ' The aircraft is equipped with an infrared camera , which can help find victims who are still alive , which is buried under the ruins of the building , thus explained Dawson . The aircraft also can help rescuers find bodies of water to the sea -borne . 

Weakness Advanced Aircraft
AscTec Falcon 8 can withstand wind forces of up to 10 meters per second, said Beldzik. But the advanced aircraft to the limit of its ability if heavy rain falls. The camera lens will be wet, and the propeller causing the water splashes. Consequently the view so it is not clear, explains Rosen.

Drone is indeed useful, but they're expensive. AscTec Falcon 8 from Ascending Technologies company costs about 30,000 dollars, and Huginn X1 of enterprise IT Danoffice costs about 50,000 dollars.