<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Monday, March 18, 2024
March 18, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

High winds cut short drone test in Oregon

The Columbian
Published:

PENDLETON, Ore. — Developers of a test range in Eastern Oregon for the unmanned aerial vehicles known as drones have conducted their first flights, but high winds ended them early.

The four-propeller drone was launched about 200 feet above a field north of Pendleton, the East Oregonian reported.

It was to scan a small barbecue grill for heat signatures — a test of its ability to pinpoint hot spots for crews fighting wildfires.

It was launched and landed twice, and then the testers ended the flights because of winds the National Weather Service measured at 21 mph in the area.

The drone is designed to withstand higher wind speeds, about 35 mph, but officials said the testers had more conservative safety standards for the flights Tuesday.

The Pendleton test site is managed by a contractor, Peak 3 Technical Services, for the city of Pendleton, which has invested more than $100,000 in launch pads for the test range.

The city hopes to spur the local economy through the visits of people from companies trying out drones for commercial purposes, and eventually to attract those companies to establish permanent offices and manufacturing plants.

The city’s economic development director, Steve Chrisman, said the first tests mark “what we all hope will be a new chapter in Pendleton’s economic future.”

Tests are expected to be conducted on the range at the local airport as well as off-site locations such as the one chosen Tuesday.

The test range is among those in Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii approved by the federal government last year and overseen by an agency at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Loading...