Unit 2 Unmanned Aircraft Module 4 – The Payload Component

Module 4 – the payload component 4.1 – Sensors Payload Component Uses different types and methods to retrieve data from the air Contributes to payment services Allows for money or a product to be made Usually considered a sensor or camera Two main categories for payloads are active and passive sensors Active Sensors Do not rely on outside energy sources for data collection Radar type instruments measure reflected for refracted signal that it sends out Can determine distance and composition of atmosphere from reflected energy taken off the sensor Common types of active sensors Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Radar Altimeter Ultrasonic Sensors

Module 4 – the payload component 4.1 – Sensors Passive Sensors Opposite of active sensors Rely on reflected energy off of an object, that is captured by the sensor Common types of passive sensors Red Green Blue (RGB) cameras Multispectral Hyperspectral Thermal Emissions and gas detection can use cameras and air sampling sensors to detect chemicals within the air from a distance Capture data across multiple bands of the electromagnetic spectrum Can be translated into a hyperspectral data cube for visual representation Can identify the spectral band for each pixel within the snapshot Hyperspectral similar to multispectral but they narrow the bandwidth of the sensors Application of these sensors can be: Agriculture Mineralogy Surveillance Chemical imaging Environment monitoring Can determine the onset of crop disease, detect nutrients, and water status in plants Mineralogy can easily identify the composition of quarries or core samples Determine the status and percentage of chemicals with the atmosphere

Module 4 – the payload component 4.1 – Sensors 107.61 Eligibility Subject to the provisions of 107.57 and 107.59, in order to be eligible for a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating under this subpart, a person must: Be at least 16 years of age; Be able to read, speak, write and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, the FAA may place such operating limitations on that applicant’s certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the small unmanned aircraft; Not know or have reason to know hat he or she has a physical or mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small unmanned aircraft system; and Demonstrate aeronautical knowledge by satisfying one of the following conditions: Pass an initial aeronautical knowledge specified in 107.73(a); or If a person hold a pilot certificate (other than a student pilot certificate issued under part 61 of this chapter and meets the flight review requirements specified in 61.56, complete an initial training course covering the areas of knowledge specified in 107.74(a) in a manner acceptable to the Administrator.