Medical drone test flight to Watford City deemed success
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
On a recent blustery morning, a new frontier in rural healthcare was tested and proven. A large, specialized drone took to the North Dakota skies, flying 26 nautical miles from Williston to Watford City to deliver a mock medical package in a landmark test flight. The successful flight, which took about 35 minutes, demonstrated the potential for drones to provide rapid, life-saving deliveries to remote communities.
This innovative flight was the first of three scheduled tests for Project Rural Reach, an initiative designed to explore how unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can benefit rural areas. The project is funded by an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant with the goal of furthering “technological advancements and industry growth through developing a statewide UAS commercialization strategy and economic impact study.”
The drone used for this flight, a hybrid model, is unique because it operates on both battery power and a fuel-based system. This hybrid design allows it to travel a much longer distance without needing to recharge, a critical feature for covering the vast distances of North Dakota.
“When we think of a drone, we’re probably thinking of the tiny little recreational ones,” said Jeff Barta, project manager for Project Rural Reach. “This is a little more than a six-foot wing tip to wing tip.” Despite its size, the drone falls into the category of a “small UAS,” meaning it weighs less than 55 pounds.
A major challenge for drone flights in the U.S. is the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) rule that requires pilots to maintain a visual line of sight with their aircraft. This limits how far drones can fly. However, this test flight operated under a special exemption, a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight.
For the full story, visit www.watfordcitynd.com and subscribe to the McKenzie County Farmer today!