Minister of Environment Launches Environmental Aerial Monitoring System Using Autogyro Aircraft Local
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change launched on Sunday the environmental aerial monitoring system using the Autogyro aircraft, and the first flight began from Umm Al Shokhot Airfield, in the presence of HE Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie.
HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change inspected the Autogyro aircraft and the addition it represents to protecting wildlife in the State of Qatar. he was briefed on a detailed explanation about the technology, modern techniques, and capabilities of the Autogyro aircraft, and how it can provide accurate environmental information and data, monitor the country’s marine coasts, support environmental scientific research, and follow up on wild animals and plants.
His Excellency made the first tour of the aircraft during which he viewed many areas of the Qatari mainland, in addition to inspecting the nearby beaches.
HE Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie confirmed that the step to launch the environmental monitoring system through the use of the Autogyro aircraft comes within the framework of the ministry’s direction to use modern means and advanced technology to achieve its mission aimed at protecting the local environment and its biodiversity. He pointed out that the smart technologies that the aircraft owns contribute to knowing the natural developments and changes that occur in the wild environment with great accuracy, which contributes to properly confronting environmental challenges, and achieving the positive change required to reach environmental sustainability in all parts of the country, within the fourth pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
His Excellency pointed out that the use of aerial monitoring to protect the wild environment in Qatar is considered a unique event and establishes a new phase of environmental work that depends primarily on the use of technological development and artificial intelligence to achieve environmental development. He stressed that scientific research is the only guaranteed way to achieve this phase and the development of modern technologies that are appropriate to Qatar’s environmental challenges.
HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change indicated that the ministry seeks to achieve this goal by increasing cooperation with national scientific and research institutions, which included cooperation with Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST), and Qatar University (QU), in addition to the ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) in the Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP).
For the first time in Qatar, the aerial environmental monitoring system was launched via the Autogyro aircraft, which comes as part of the ministry’s efforts to preserve the local environment and protect biodiversity, as it represents a priority for the State of Qatar. The Autogyro aircraft, with its modern technology, plays a major role in supporting the efforts of the various ministry agencies to enrich the components and elements of the local environment, preserve vegetation, and enable observers to reach distant and remote areas.
The aircraft used in aerial monitoring operations possesses advanced technologies that include remote sensing, high-resolution cameras, and an advanced wireless communications system, enabling it to be in direct communication with the various ministry agencies. The ministry mentioned in this regard that during the aircraft’s flights for environmental monitoring and scientific research, there will be an environmental observer accompanying the aircraft commander, communicating directly with the ministry’s ground teams, which works to expedite the necessary environmental actions.
The ministry further stated that the aircraft will represent a significant addition to environmental monitoring operations and scientific research for biodiversity conservation in the country, thanks to the advanced technologies it possesses. These technologies will work to gather and provide environmental information and data accurately, supporting efforts to plan for future environmental challenges and find sustainable solutions to protect wildlife across Qatar.
It is worth mentioning that this type of aircraft possesses many advanced technological features, such as remote sensing, which contributes to gathering information through sensitive devices and sensors from a distance without the need to be present at the targeted site. Additionally, it supports a wide range of environmental, scientific, and geographical applications.
The aircraft also conducts imaging using integrated or mounted cameras, with these cameras featuring high-quality capabilities in both photography and ultra-clear video footage. Additionally, they have the ability to engage in air-to-air communication through radio systems and wireless communications, enabling the aircraft to communicate with air traffic control centers, air towers, and other aircraft while flying in the air.
The “Auto-Gyro” aircraft possesses numerous features, including enhancing marine and terrestrial environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, monitoring marine turtles, coastal protection, studying vegetation cover in the country, monitoring marine organism mortality, coastal pollution monitoring, and monitoring quarry operations.
Additionally, the aircraft has the capability to detect wildfires in wilderness areas early by searching for any smoke columns or unnatural heat points. Moreover, it raises awareness and educates through the use of captured images and videos to disseminate awareness and education for the conservation of wilderness environments and biodiversity.
The aircraft also provides support for ground-based wilderness environmental patrols in protection operations, facilitating their direction of efforts and effective conservation. Additionally, the aircraft communicates and coordinates with environmental operations management, where wireless communication technologies can be used to ensure efficient data transmission and provide continuous communication in vast areas. Moreover, it can serve as a means of communication and coordination between wilderness protection teams and other relevant authorities, enhancing cooperation and coordination among different teams and facilitating a rapid response to various emergency situations.
