1. Unit 2 Unmanned Aircraft
Module 4 – The Payload Component

2. 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

3. 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

4. Module 4 – the payload component
4.1 – Sensors
Eligibility
Subject to the provisions of and , 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 (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 (a) in a manner acceptable to the Administrator.