Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019).

Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) have much potential for geomagnetic surveys for mineral explorationx000D
because they can fly closer to the ground and slower than conventional manned aircraft. In order for UASs tox000D
become a viable alternative on the commercial market, however, the data acquired by magnetometers mountedx000D
on UASs must be of equivalent or higher quality than the data recorded by magnetometers mounted onx000D
conventional manned aircraft.x000D
Metallic components and engine movement on a UAS create undesirable noise on the data recorded by thex000D
magnetometer that can obscure the signal originating from ore bodies in the subsurface. RMS Instruments havex000D
developed the AARC51 compensator, an instrument designed to attenuate this interference noise. In thisx000D
research project, the compensator will be mounted unto an unmanned helicopter-type UAS. Firstly, differentx000D
flying maneuvers will be flown to calibrate the compensator. The maneuvers will include flying along the fourx000D
directions of the geomagnetic fields (north-east-south-west) at different altitudes, and repeating lines inx000D
opposite directions (e.g. north to south, and south to north). Secondly, a geomagnetic survey will be executedx000D
in an area where interesting geological features are present. The survey data will be analyzed in detail tox000D
compare the raw and compensated geomagnetic data, and assess the performance of the compensator. UASx000D
flight data such as altitude, speed, and orientation will also be analyzed to identify the best way to fly the UASx000D
to acquire magnetic data of the highest quality.x000D
The project will provide a HQP at an early stage of his/her career hands-on training on UAS survey planningx000D
and quantitative data analysis. These skills are much in demand due to the high level of interest about UASs inx000D
the airborne surveying community.