This image from the 2015 Cattle Raisers Convention Dinner and Dance at the River Ranch, Fort Worth, was taken by a remote- controlled drone.
are generally banned in the U.S. by the FAA. Some rare exemptions have been issued.
Safe operation Nevertheless, even with these decades of experi-
ence, remotely controlled drones are not that easy to fl y. It helps to practice with remotely controlled model aircraft; learning to fl y a drone will probably involve some crashes. Environmental conditions will also impact their
safe operation. Ask any pilot how easy it is to land a regular airplane in a strong crosswind. Trees and other natural barriers will obstruct the “pilot’s” view of his drone. The operator must maintain constant vigilance and control over the drone at all times. If it crash lands into the top of a 60-foot tall tree, retrieving the plane will prove diffi cult, if not impossible. A few universities have drone programs. Because
students must pay to attend the classes, these programs are “commercial” according to the FAA and must be approved. The FAA must approve regular fl ight schools and this can be a lengthy process. However, drone schools are handled by the government under the FAA’s Part 333 program, a more streamlined process. All told, over 200 non-university drone schools have been approved so far.
74 The Cattleman May 2016 At this time, drones are not that cheap. Costs will run
$500 and more for a small one (called micro drones). The most expensive drone being designed for private use that we know of is the Top Flight, which sells for around $50,000. It is powered by both a rechargeable lithium ion
battery and a gas generator on board. It can fl y about 2 hours and travel as much as 100 miles. This 6-rotor drone will carry up to 20 pounds of cameras and other cargo. The average price for a decent smaller drone will run you from $1,000 to $1,500, with the better ones going for $3,000 or $4,000. A rancher will fi nd drones very helpful in locating
cattle. In the right wind conditions, and assuming your tree cover is not that dense, it might even be effectively used to herd cattle. Most drones will fl y between 40 and 60 miles per
hour (mph) at top speed and be able to slow down to a hover. Unlike a fi xed-winged airplane, the helicopter- type drones will hover and turn around in a fairly tight radius. You will be able to use a drone to check your stock tanks, mineral and salt blocks, fences and water gaps, etc. New technology will also allow you to use global
positioning systems (GPS) to check the condition of your fences. How about watching your cattle from
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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