U N I V E R S I T Y O F B E R G E N Geophysical Institute SUMO operations in harsh environments Stephan T. Kral 1, Marius O. Jonassen 2,1, Joachim Reuder 1, Line Båserud 1 1 Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, Norway 2 The University Centre in Svalbard, Longyearbyen, Norway
The SUMO airframe Based on Multiplex FunJet EPP (Expanded Polypropylene): light strong good insulation easy to fix cheap ~700 g 0.80 m 0.75 m
The SUMO airframe Based on Multiplex FunJet EPP (Expanded Polypropylene): light strong well insulated easy to fix cheap Fuselage and wings reinforced with glass fiber Folding propellers better gliding performance safer landing ~700 g 0.80 m 0.75 m
SUMO flight performance Up to 1h flight time in Arctic conditions (11.1V 4.4Ah LiPo) Cruise speed ca. 15 m/s Maximum speed ca. 35 m/s
SUMO flight performance Up to 1h flight time in Arctic conditions (11.1V 4.4Ah LiPo) Cruise speed ca. 15 m/s Maximum speed ca. 35 m/s Good climbing and gliding capabilities: Quick ascend, ~7 10 m/s (full throttle) Moderate descend, ~2 3 m/s (zero throttle)
SUMO flight performance Up to 1h flight time in Arctic conditions (11.1V 4.4Ah LiPo) Cruise speed ca. 15 m/s Maximum speed ca. 35 m/s Good climbing and gliding capabilities: Quick ascend, ~7 10 m/s (full throttle) Moderate descend, ~2 3 m/s (zero throttle) Hand start and belly landing
The SUMO autopilot and RC components Paparazzi Autopilot (Umarim Lite v2) GPS (NEO-6M GPS Module) Modem (Xbee pro) RC receiver RC transmitter (Futaba 7C) Instructions on http://wiki.paparazziuav.org/wiki/ SUMO
The SUMO standard sensor package PT 1000 temperature (~ 1 s) SHT temperature and humidity sensor (~ 5 s) pressure sensor (integrated on the Umarim board) Infrared surface temperature sensor
The SUMO turbulence sensor package turbulent wind 5-hole probe (Aeroprobe) Additional data computer
The SUMO turbulence sensor package turbulent wind 5-hole probe (Aeroprobe) Additional data computer turbulent temperature fine wire (PT005108, 12.5μm, very fragile) developed by University of Tübingen
Operation Examples Profiles atmospheric sounding repeated for flux estimations in homogeneous conditions different locations for flux estimations caused by land-sea effects
Operation Examples Surveys surface temperature heterogeneities
Operation Examples Surveys surface temperature heterogeneities Turbulence legs direct flux measurements along straight path
SUMO flight campaigns Campaign Period Institute number of flights FLOHOF, Iceland 13.08. 18.08.2007 GFI 30 Svalbard, Norway 25.02. 13.03.2008 GFI 44 Coburg, Germany 17.07. 28.07.2008 GFI 25 FLUXPAT III, Germany 04.08. 23.08.2008 GFI 34 Svalbard, Norway 21.03. 04.04.2009 GFI 85 MOSO, Iceland 08.07. 20.07.2009 GFI 68 ABOA, Antarctica Summer 2010 2011 FMI 15 Troll, Antarctica Summer 2011 2012 Meteorologisk Institutt 5 BLLAST, France 14.06. 08.07.2011 GFI 300 McMurdo, Antarctica Sep 2009 and 2012 University of Colorado 30 Weddell Sea, Antarctica Winter 2013 FMI 51 Ross Ice Shelf, Antarctica Jan 2014 University of Colorado 41 ECN, Netherlands 10.05.2014 GFI 5 Svalbard, Norway Feb Mar 2014 UNIS 24 Svalbard, Norway Dec 2014 UNIS 13 Svalbard, Norway Aug Sep 2015 UNIS 8 Svalbard, Norway Feb 2016 UNIS 18 ca 800 flights
Experiences High humidity sensor failure SHT temperature drops significantly for RH > 90% PT1000 temperature is less affected
Experiences Icing ascent rate decreases as the icing increases control remained functioning No icing Icing
Heating of equipment Thermo/camping box (12V, DC) RC (Between flights and during BLOS) Aircraft batteries (LiPo) Pilot gloves GCS laptop (between flights) RC protection RPAS base Heated box
Incidents Iceland 2007 (bad flight plan design) Coburg 2008 (IR stabilization problem) Svalbard 2009 (35 MHz Interference during manual flight) Svalbard 2014 (unfortunate hand start broken turbulence sensor) No serious injuries
Thanks for your attention