MicroAviation Slips the Surly Bonds of Earth
We're living a revolutionary fusion of robotics, amateur RC aviation, GPS, global data nets, and low cost miniature general avionics. Microairships have unique endurance and station keeping properties. They are excellent sensor platforms and can reach great altitudes. The current challenge is to achieve sufficient speed ("penetration" in E-Flight parlance) to operate effectively in normal winds. Solar charging and ballast control are keys to extended missions.
MicroAeroSpace will displace much existing aviation and create broad new applications. Global wireless communications, combined with GPS/GIS, are enabling microaviation operations to anywhere from anywhere, over the Net. Comparison with manned aircraft, for many uses, shows up to three orders of magnitude savings. Highly capable microaircraft could be priced as low as bicycles, including instrumentation.
MicroAeroSpace Initiative
