DROPFLIGHT
We are thrilled to announce our partnership with DropFlight: an innovative, new resource for the ag aviation industry. DropFlight has created an at-home pattern testing kit and app that makes pattern testing easy and inexpensive. By using advanced algorithms and data analytics, the DropFlight system helps us create and analyze our spray patterns so we can minimize overlap, enhance accuracy and efficiency, and mitigate drift.
What we love so far about DropFlight is that we can set this up on our own time at our home airport. This saves both time and money. Another huge benefit we’ve discovered with DropFlight is that we can test the airplane, adjust, and retest, as many times as we prefer. Typically at pattern testing events, you get to fly over the string 2 times. DropFlight allows us to dial in on what may be causing issues and make sure we maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of our patterns.
What’s Included?
We have the Pattern Testing Hardwear Kit, which includes:
50 card mounts with stakes
1 pack of 1x3" DropFlight Premium Water Sensitive Paper (50 count)
4 high-visibility centerline flags
165ft measuring tape
Hard case for travel and storage
We love that we can keep everything organized and together and simply roll this out to the testing area when we’re ready to test. You’ll want to be sure and order extra water-sensitive paper, as only enough cards for one test are included. DropFlight’s cards are specifically formulated for the DropFlight app and ensure accuracy when measuring droplets.
How Long Does it Take?
The whole test takes around 40 minutes, and the most time-consuming part of it is set up and tear down. It takes around 20 minutes to set up the cardholders with 2 people. First, you lay a tape down. If you’re a little OCD like me, you’ll want to stake the tape in the ground so you run a straight line. For our 500-gallon, turbine planes, we are running 50 cards, spaced 3 ft apart. You want to fly the pass into the wind, and you want the cards facing into the wind. Be sure not to touch the cards with your hands or the data will not be accurate! With every card set, you have a set of plastic tweezers that works well to get the cards onto the clip.
After you get your test set up, you will have your pilot fly over the test at the appropriate application height and speed. There are flags included in the kit which you’ll want to place at your center line so the pilot can line up in the center of the test line. We simply use water, some folks will throw an adjuvant or drift aid in. After your pilot sprays a pass, you simply start a new test in the app, walk the line and take photos of every card for the app to analyze. When you are taking photos, avoid glare from the sun as that could interfere with your data. The app processes the photos very quickly and once you’re at the end, you hit save test and then it’s saved in the app. Ideally, at this point, you’d place another set of cards out and have your pilot run another pass. DropFlight states that for an ideal analysis, you would run the pass 3 times and then pull the data from the 3 passes.
How Much Does it Cost?
There are two costs associated with DropFlight. The first is the actual cost of the kit, which is $799 USD. The second cost is the cost of the App, which is the brain behind DropFlight and how your cards are analyzed. The app is intuitive, easy to use, and again makes the testing process a breeze. The cost for the app is a one-time fee of $799 USD. Those are your two set costs for DropFlight, once you have the app and the kit, you have them forever. You will have to continue to purchase DropFlight water-sensitive cards which are about $1/card (you can buy a bulk set which does save you a little bit of money) and it is required to use DropFlight cards as the app is specifically calibrated to work with their proprietary cards. Basically, once you have the kit and the app, it will cost you $150 per test per airplane if you run each plane across the test line the recommended 3 times. Some will say this is expensive but let’s just say you have two turbines that burn 60 gal of Jet A per hour, and you have a pattern test that you can attend that is a 90-minute flight from your home base. We currently have $4/gal jet fuel so at that we’d be looking at about $1500 in fuel to get there and back. Not to mention the added convenience of not having to plan to leave for a pattern test. We all know how well it works to plan in this industry. With DropFlight you can set up and test in 20-30 min when you have a down afternoon.
We’re going to have a deep dive video on DropFlight coming soon, but we at least wanted to get all of this information in one place so that we can reference this post when folks have questions. We’re really excited to have this kit so that we can continue to ensure we’re maximizing the airplane’s accuracy, minimizing drift, and reducing overlap. This is one more tool that we can share with our growers to provide them with peace of mind when it comes to aerial application. If you’re interested in purchasing DropFlight for your operation, we earn a small commission if you use our link to purchase and we appreciate the support.
While we’ve teamed up with DropFlight to test, use, and share their product with the world, please know that all thoughts and opinions are our own. We’re really excited about this technology and resource and know it is very beneficial for the Ag Aviation Industry.
Watch this quick minute run down of DropFlight here: