UTSA Unveils State-of-the-Art Enclosure for Enhanced Drone Research and Development
Located on the University of Texas at San Antonio’s campus, a 900,000-cubic-foot facility constructed from repurposed phone poles and wire mesh provides a unique space for researchers and drone enthusiasts to test and operate their aircraft without the need to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.
The enclosure, measuring 150 feet by 100 feet and standing at 60 feet tall, provides ample space for operating UAVs in real-world outdoor settings without requiring operators to obtain a Part 107 license, according to Dr. James, Director of UTSA’s Aerospace Engineering Program.
Combs, an affiliate professor of mechanical engineering, drew a compelling comparison: “The very best analogy is a baseball batting cage.”
As a consequence of the testing facility being fully enclosed, it falls outside the scope of FAA-regulated airspace, allowing school members who utilize drones in their research to operate freely, despite many of these individuals not being officially registered as drone pilots.
Researchers are now conducting an array of projects that require significant space to accommodate their work, such as flying drones. “You’ll typically need a controlled environment, such as a laboratory setting, to fully realize this goal.”
Researchers from civil and environmental engineering departments utilized drone-based technologies and artificial intelligence to explore innovative ways to utilize Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in smart infrastructure management and land surveying applications. “When analyzing infrastructure inspections, engineers can now opt for a more innovative approach: deploying drones equipped with AI-powered computer vision to survey bridges and freeway overpasses in real-time.”
He has also personally utilized an outdoor testing facility as part of his own research endeavors into the realm of aerodynamics.
The researcher discussed his work in fluid physics and visualization, highlighting plans to adapt existing camera technology and measurement methods to track the airflow around freely flying drones. “So, we needed a spacious area where we could thoroughly test our concept.”
The state-of-the-art enclosure, which began operations in June 2023, was built at a cost of approximately $150,000 through college strategic funding initiatives. According to Combs, this facility ranks as the third-largest of its kind in the country, with a notable distinction being that it is one of the largest institutions-funded and built projects undertaken by a college.
Dr. Combs could serve as the director of UTSA’s Center for Superior Measurement in Extreme Environments. Established with funding from NASA, CAMMEE’s mission centers on developing a robust pipeline of highly skilled researchers in the areas of earth system sciences, remote sensing technologies, computational fluid dynamics, and experimental fluid mechanics, ultimately supplying the nation’s workforce with expertise in these critical fields.
The development of an outdoor drone training facility is part of a larger initiative aimed at attracting and preparing the next generation of aerospace industry leaders.
“With a clear mandate, I arrived here determined to establish and grow the aerospace engineering program – a key focus of my work.”
Over the past year since its construction, Dr. Combs and his team have been enthusiastically sharing information about the drone-testing enclosure with their academic peers and the general public. “We’re starting to receive significant interest from both internal stakeholders within the college and external groups,” he said.
As Combs highlighted alternative methods of drone analysis and testing offered by the enclosure, he emphasized the college’s effort to expand its curriculum to foster greater involvement from non-academic staff. We’re exploring group outreach initiatives to engage college students and also consider involving those from OK-12 schools. “We’re engaging with individuals to explore how our institution’s strong analytical capabilities can be effectively utilized.”
Learn extra:
As Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE, Miriam McNabb leads the publication’s editorial team while serving as CEO of JobForDrones, a premier platform connecting top drone companies with top talent, and closely monitoring the rapidly evolving drone industry and its complex regulatory landscape. Miriam has authored more than 3,000 articles focusing on the industrial drone sector, earning her recognition as a prominent expert in the field. She is also a sought-after speaker globally, solidifying her reputation within the industry. With a degree from the University of Chicago and more than two decades of experience in high-tech sales and marketing for emerging technologies, Miriam.
For drone-related businesses seeking consultation or written content that effectively communicates their unique value proposition and drives sales, our team of experts is here to help.
TWITTER:
Subscribe to DroneLife .
