UAVs that take off with thermal flow stay in the sky longer with less energy.

Turkish Aviation Association (THK) Lecturer in Aeronautical Engineering at the University Assoc. Dr. Yaman said that 1.5 years ago, with the support of THK University, they started a project to research algorithms that allow birds to take off and stay in the air for a long time.

In this context, Yaman stated that they wanted to use the levitation process realized by thermal currents in gliders and UAVs and that they wanted to keep the gliders he developed in the air in this way.

Yaman explained that thermal currents are columns of hot air created by the Sun heating the Earth and gave the following information:

“Heat from the sun warms the earth and the air above it. Because the heated air is lighter, it rises. Colder air flows instead of the rising hot air and an air current is created. Thermal currents are particularly popular in sailing, gliding and skydiving.” They play an important role in air sports, such as: They are generally stronger in the spring and summer months, as during these periods the sun's rays fall more steeply and warm the earth more. However, weak thermal currents can occur on clear and sunny winter days. “The warmer it is, the stronger the thermal currents become.”

Artificial intelligence is also used

Explaining the status of the project, Yaman said: “We will soon conduct the first flights of the glider that takes off with thermal currents. This system, which can be used at any time of the year, will be more efficient, especially in spring and summer,” said.

Yaman pointed out that with the completion of the project in question, small aircraft such as gliders and UAVs can remain in the air for a long time, saying:

“Such aircraft can fly using many different energy sources. What we are trying to do here can be seen as a contribution to sustainability. With the project we are developing using artificial intelligence, we want to create a platform that stays in the air longer.” “Our project can serve many different purposes. What we’re really trying to do here is develop machine learning algorithms and ensure their application.”