ARS | Publication request: PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF AN AUTOMATED ON/OFF SPRAYING SYSTEM FOR AERIAL APPLICATION

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 6, 2004
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: A Gibsland GA fixed wing aircraft equipped with a computer controlled, variable rate spraying system was field tested for automated on-off spray capability. A rhodamine dye was added to the spray tank as an indicator of presence and quantity of material applied. The spray was applied over a one millimeter cotton string which was analyzed with a fluorometer to detect the commencement and cessation of application. Field tests indicated that the automated spray system could cut on and off to within fifty feet of the desired location. Precision application inherently reduces drift by reducing the overall amount of applied chemical. Variable rate aerial application testing is underway and preliminary results of this research will be presented.