(Week 9) Flight Prep

Weather in Indiana during the early spring normally provide less than optimal flight conditions. Occasionally the weather will break and an opportunity to fly will present itself. Keeping weather in mind, focus was placed on getting prepared for data collection opportunity.

Spring in Indiana does however have significant amounts of rainfall. This rainfall does provide an opportunity for the class to gather data on flood waters. Tippecanoe County Amphitheater (TCA) Southern edge is formed by the Wabash river. This area is historically known for flooding due to high water levels of the Wabash River and low banks that overflow into Davis Ferry Park and surrounding areas. According to NOAA water level reports, the river is at 14 ft above normal. This will provide excellent comparison data if we are able to fly mission while the river is high. Below is a comparison for the Davis Ferry Park when the flood stage was at 16ft and compared to when the Wabash River was at normal levels (Slide Show).

Davis Ferry Park Facing North East

TCA in relation to Davis Ferry Park

The effects of flooding are more prevalent at Davis Ferry Park. However, Davis Ferry is right across the river from the TCA. The close proximity relates the flood stages that could be present at the TCA. Because of this, it is in the best interest of the capstone to get flights in to collect data at the Amphitheater while river levels are high. That way a good comparison can be made for when the levels are normal. Plenty of valuable insights can be made from this type of comparison. For example, future improvement of expansion projects would not want to be developed in areas that are prone to flooding. Mixed with a map that gives accurate ground elevations, future flood levels could be projected based off of known flood stages and their effect on the Tippecanoe County Amphitheater.

While the weather is keeping us grounded, there is plenty of work to be done in preparation for flights. Dry runs, or practice runs, were conducted for both C-Astrals' Bramor and the Matrice. The gallery below show the capstone class working through the checklist for the Bramor and comparing it with the digital checklist for the included C3P mission software. Some notes were made that the checklist on the software was not as complete as the paper copie, and that was less complete than what was described to do in the technical manual for the Bramor. By this point i have taken it upon myself to become the subject matter expert for the Bramor.

As the class further divided and assigned roles, I researched the TM and started to memorize the operational limitations and emergency procedures. I assimilated the role as "mission commander" ensuring all members of the team had at least a good working knowledge of the operations for this aircraft. It was blatantly obvious that other members of the class were showing signs of resignation and over reliance on the software. The chosen pilots did not care to read about how the aircraft was going to act while in flight, they were relying on the instructors past experience with the system. Being ignorant to what you are operating is the first step in failure,, both for situational awareness and operations safety. Here is where those hazardous attitudes need to be recognized and addressed. Unfortunately, the maturity level needed was not present and many of my peers did not heed my advice. My hope is that the assigned operators will familiarize themselves with the operational instructions for the Bramor before tying to put this expensive UAV into the air.

Bramor Operational limitations