On the 8th of July the Mistrale consortium had a test day. The new prototype of the sensor was tested. The long range Boreal operated by L’Avion Jaune is used for that test flight. The Boreal is the RPAS that Mistrale will use in future for the larger Missions like research flights and mapping large areas for nature and water management. The boreal is able to flying for 10 hours while carrying the heavier Mistrale sensor of 1.5kg. 

  
The Boreal with clearly visible the down looking antenna

The Mako RPAS (developed by ENAC) is used to do a test flight with the test sensor (based on the SNR technique). Post-processing of the flight data from a previous test flight with this kind of sensor showed the requirement of an in-flight stabilization of the sensors. ENAC developed a system enabling the payload to rotate according to the RPAS attitude so the antenna orientation to the ground stays the same. This system has been tested in this flight.

The Mako RPAS ready for take-off

The last test flight was with the brand new Cyclone RPAS (developed by ENAC), because this was its first flight the RPAS was tested without payload. This RPAS is designed according to the user requirements about easier operations in smaller agricultural fields. The Cyclone RPAS system is developed with innovational features such as vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with transitioning to high-speed flight. The enlarged flight speed envelope gives a flexible operation possibility to the user. Thanks to the vertical takeoff and landing capability, it does not need catapult nor ‘large’ landing area. The cyclone can have a 300g payload.

The new Cyclone RPAS is prepared for take-off.