Argonne’s small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) program has officially launched.
First reported in Argonne Today in May 2016, the program recently received FAA certificates of authorization — that is, permission to operate on Argonne’s campus. Because the aircraft are used for research, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations require Argonne to obtain permission to fly them on the campus. Argonne has two certificates: one for three fixed-wing models and another for two copter models.
According to project lead David Gartman (EVS), the application process took 18 months to complete.
The program’s first mission was a flight for Facilities Management and Services over the water towers on Water Tower Road. Gartman described this first mission as “uneventful — just what we hoped for.”
 The sUAS group (from left to right, standing): Roberto Herrera, Andrew Orr, David Gartman, Matthew Kwiatkowski, and Matthew Long. Kneeling: Michael Vogt and Mark Lundquist, both of North American Robotics. |
 Pilot Andrew Orr operates the sUAS in a rehearsal, with visual observer Matthew Long looking on.
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 On the first day of practice, pilot Matthew Kwiatkowski operates the sUAS in a training flight on the Argonne campus. |
 In its first mission, an Argonne sUAS inspects this water tower for FMS. |
FAA and U.S. Department of Energy rules stipulate that Argonne’s sUAS operators be licensed pilots; flights also require a trained visual observer for safety and to help keep the aircraft — literally — within sight. Luckily, the Argonne population includes a number of pilots. “We held a training session for four pilots and five visual observers during early August,” Gartman said. The training included pilot practice time as well as data-gathering techniques for near-infrared, thermal infrared, video and standard RGB images.
All aircraft operate under stringent FAA regulations that include specifications about flying altitude, and Argonne’s aircraft are no different. These aircraft are permitted to fly at altitudes of up to 700 feet, with a minimum of 500 feet below the lowest cloud. Once aloft, the aircraft must remain within Argonne’s fence line at all times.
While the flights themselves may be relatively brief, researchers spend significant time on preparation and followup activities. “A one-hour flight easily requires two hours of prep time and four hours of data analysis afterward,” Gartman explained. Part of that preparation involves a 1½-page checklist with numerous pre-flight, flight and post-flight tasks. For example, before a mission Gartman must notify community organizations in the surrounding area as well as local private airparks who share the congested airspace. These include the DuPageForest Preserve District and Brookeridge Airpark. Appropriate Argonne personnel must also be informed before any flights. “During the application process, we realized that we are in close proximity to seven airports, airparks and heliports,” said Gartman.
Argonne’s sUAS program traces its roots to some “what if” conversations between Gartman and lab colleagues. Gartman later assembled a committee that included Matt Kwiatkowski (CIS), Argonne’s Aviation Safety Officer; Peter Washburn, DOE-ASO Aviation Safety Officer; and Michael Vogt, founder and principal scientist of North American Robotics in Minnesota.
Gartman also spoke at the recent Argonne Community Roundtable to explain the program’s objectives. Local officials and interested residents attended.
Gartman especially credits Kwiatkowski, Vogt and Washburn with the program’s progress to date: “We couldn’t have done this without them.”
What’s on the horizon — literally — for these aircraft and their applications? Gartman says the possibilities are endless and depend mostly on appropriate sponsor funding. “We just don’t know yet how they will be used; it will depend on the science needs.”
By Kathryn Jandeska
