Radio-controlled agricultural model plane

• Grant number: 02/07889-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: March 01, 2003
• End date: June 30, 2006
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Agricultural Machinery and Implements
• Principal Investigator: José Roberto Rasi
• Grantee: José Roberto Rasi
• Company: Prince Air Models Ltda. - ME
• City: Tupã

Abstract

This project aims to develop a radio-controlled agricultural model plane for the spraying of agricultural defensives, distribution of seeds and similar operations on rural properties. The model plane will be built from a composite (fiber glass, reinforced with mixed carbon and aramide fibers and epoxy resin) with a balsa wood frame, powered by a twocylinder petrol engine with electronic ignition controlled by a radio control system, with nine channels and dual receiver, powering high-torque digital servomotors. The spraying system will initially have a 25-liter reservoir for defensives, with prevision to increase the capacity as the project is refined. The automatic flight stabilization system is envisaged as using a digital gyroscope with two axes which will automatically correct the flight, avoiding variations in the plane’s altitude. The project also includes an automatic flight steering system to align the plane so that the spraying can be carried out in strips of terrain, without overlaps or missed areas, with the use of GPS (Global Positioning System) and microprocessors on board. In the second phase of the project two more planes will be built in composite, reproducing the model demonstrated to be viable in phase 1. The planes will be used for the development of flight control software and studies of spraying. (AU)