Development of an unmanned aircraft for crop dusting

• Grant number: 16/01030-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: August 01, 2017
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Muniz Neves
• Grantee: Alexandre Muniz Neves
• Company: FK - Brasil Engenharia e Comércio de Aeronaves Ltda
• City: São José dos Campos
• Pesquisadores principais: Rafael Macul Perez
• Associated researchers: Luiz Carlos Sandoval Góes

Abstract

Agriculture business is the most competitive sector in Brazilian economy nowadays, and is in a growing trend, pushed mainly by the recent increase in farms productivity. The correct application of pesticides for parasite and plant disease control is fundamental for obtaining high productivity. In small and mid-sized properties, as a cost-reduction measure, the land-based application of pesticides is still dominant, and this method presents a series of limitation in comparison with aerial application. The development of a mid-sized unmanned aircraft (approximately 100kg) could fulfill this role, and open a new market niche. Moreover, it could also help reduce the notably high number of accidents involving the death of pilots in grass-hopping. (AU)