Aerial Application using a Small RF Controlled Helicopter (I) - Status and Cost Analysis -

Abstract

Present chemical application system using a power sprayer has been a labor intensive, ineffective and shirking task in farming. Therefore, a small RF controlled (unmanned) helicopter was suggested to replace the conventional spray system. The aerial application using the unmanned helicopter has been already utilized in Japan, where total area applied up to 704,000 ha in 2005. In this article, the status and cost analysis on the unmanned agricultural helicopter were studied. The aerial application using the agricultural helicopter helps precise and timely spraying and reduces labor intensity and pollution. The field capacity of the helicopter was found to be 60-70 ha a day. The break even point was estimated near the operating area of 750 ha annum. The development of an agricultural helicopter was necessary for taking advantages of both technique and economy.