It seems incredible, but helicopters operating at a low altitude and speed execute a role similar to that of a tractor plowing the land. The millimetric operation that takes place at night, requires a high concentration on the part of the pilot, field marking and a great logistical support on the ground.
The scene is being repeated in different agricultural areas across Chile during the official frost season that threatens vineyards, fruits and vegetables every year. Even more so, when, between winter and spring, the lowest temperatures occur in the central and central-southern part of the country. Helicopters are used to protect crops, which are destined not only for domestic consumption but also for international markets.
“The helicopter, thanks to its versatility, can fly at low altitude and low speed over the sprouts, replacing the very cold air that is in contact with them with the warmer air resulting from the thermal inversion that exists a few meters above, helped by the heat produced by the helicopter’s turbines,” said Francisco Arriagada, Ecocopter’s commercial manager.
At this time of the year, during the night, temperatures drop to 0°C or even lower, threatening vineyards and various subtropical fruits with being “burned” by the intense cold. Damage is often irreparable and losses are total. In fact, the most important Chilean vineyards, which produce wines of international quality, have helicopters to combat this invisible but lethal enemy, and thus, obtain the best world-class product.
“The helicopters that have already started the aerial service for frost control in the Metropolitan and Maule regions, are the AS350 B3/H125 models that comply with all the internal safety measures of Ecocopter and also the external ones requested to the customers. These are the field markings and lighting in strategic areas, in addition, in each overflight, there is constant monitoring of the environmental and geographical conditions on the ground to guarantee success and minimize the risk of the operation,” Arriagada pointed out.
The magic of frost control is based on the fact that the helicopters fly through the lift generated by the main rotor, initiating a movement of air masses or thermal inversion that allows mitigating frost in the fields. The propellers, in short, are transformed into a huge vertical air fan. Air that manages to increase a few degrees above the soil layer of the crops, enough to raise the temperature in the plantations and thus reduce or eliminate the effects caused by frost.
For greater safety in the operation, a daytime reconnaissance is carried out to program the circuits to be flown over, where sensitive or dangerous places are established and demarcated, in addition to determining the safety height, which will be used to move. This is how, from the sky, different types of crops are watched and protected so that they finally give their best fruit.
This press release was prepared and distributed by Ecocopter.
