Flying Frost Protection over Vineyards.
Monsanto
Gordy as usual was spot on!
If you do nothing else he says....do not ignore the wisdom in his statement about wires.
The Big Wires are fairly easy to see.....the small thin skinny ones hung low above the ground, Poles hidden by trees, ending at pump houses and other farm structures and devices, are Killers!
Even if you do the Recon by Air.....before you jump into a field for the first time....go very slowly around the perimeter and then work your way in to the center looking only for Wires, signs of wires, anything on the ground that would have a wire attached to it...running to it....running from it....as those wires are the single worst danger to crop work.
Wind speed under the Rotors is more dependent upon forward speed than height above ground. A high hover will produce a higher rotor downwash than if in translational lift or above.
Drying Cherry Trees we found a higher, slower movement through the orchard gave better results than a very low speedier movement. We were only wanting to shake the trees enough to shake the rain water out of the dimple where the stem goes into the Cherry.....but without breaking limbs off the tree.
You NEED to walk or drive around EVERY field in order to check for wires.
The Big Wires are fairly easy to see.....the small thin skinny ones hung low above the ground, Poles hidden by trees, ending at pump houses and other farm structures and devices, are Killers!
Even if you do the Recon by Air.....before you jump into a field for the first time....go very slowly around the perimeter and then work your way in to the center looking only for Wires, signs of wires, anything on the ground that would have a wire attached to it...running to it....running from it....as those wires are the single worst danger to crop work.
Wind speed under the Rotors is more dependent upon forward speed than height above ground. A high hover will produce a higher rotor downwash than if in translational lift or above.
Drying Cherry Trees we found a higher, slower movement through the orchard gave better results than a very low speedier movement. We were only wanting to shake the trees enough to shake the rain water out of the dimple where the stem goes into the Cherry.....but without breaking limbs off the tree.
Last edited by SASless; 25th Jun 2012 at 11:47.
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Interesting ! Not quite an airborne option but a static option to deal with frost & mist. Cannot recall the name of it, but a guy has developed a jumped up patio heater. By all accounts it was good enough for network rail to speculate on.
Nothing to do with me, so not a PLUG. However maybe worth some more research.
Nothing to do with me, so not a PLUG. However maybe worth some more research.
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: New Zealand
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Its still big business here in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. I went out for a nosey one night late last year and there would have been 30-35 helos in a 5k radius through the Twyford- Gimblett Gravels area. Mainly 206's, 500's and 350's although i also saw a R22 and a big bell (205 or re reged UH1?)
I have spoken to a few vineyard managers, one of whom told me that one year they had three frost events, at 6-8hrs flying time with 2 Squirrels 2 nights, 3 the other and their total cost for the season was less than 10c per bottle of wine. Cheap insurance I'd say.
I have spoken to a few vineyard managers, one of whom told me that one year they had three frost events, at 6-8hrs flying time with 2 Squirrels 2 nights, 3 the other and their total cost for the season was less than 10c per bottle of wine. Cheap insurance I'd say.
Not crop spraying exactly .. but crop 'warming' .. yet still to do with crops!
This practice has been going on since the 50's but .. 'tis always interesting to read about:
Apple farmer fights off frost with helicopter - Telegraph
This practice has been going on since the 50's but .. 'tis always interesting to read about:
Apple farmer fights off frost with helicopter - Telegraph
