Droplet deposition and spatial drift distribution characteristics of aerial spraying based on the determination of effective swath

In order to accurately explore the droplets distribution characteristics on the ground and space during the aerial spray process, a single-pass application test based on the determination of effective swath by a Bell206L4 helicopter was carried out. The accurate effective swath width of the helicopter spray operation was obtained, and the cumulative and spatial drift characteristics of droplet deposition when the helicopter used different aerial nozzles under natural environment were systematically analyzed. The results showed that the average effective swath width of three different types of nozzle were 25.3 m (CP02), 29.7 m (CP03) and 29.3 m (CP04) with an average flight altitude of 11 m and velocity of 17 m/s. The average deposition volume in the effective swath area of each sampling line was in the range of 1.208-2.735 ?L/cm 2 . Most of the droplets in each application were concentrated near the route and the adjacent locations of the effective swath area. In addition, the droplets with small size were trend to drift, and the increased nozzle orifice size was beneficial to reduce drift. In terms of spatial drift distribution, small-sized droplets usually gathered in the upper space, larger-sized droplets were easy to gather in the middle space, and the medium-sized droplets were trend to gather in the lower space. The research results were helpful to optimize the spray plan and provide reference for precision aerial application. Keywords: aerial spray, droplet deposition, spatial drift, effective swath, helicopter, precision agricultural DOI: 10.33440/j.ijpaa.20210401.145 Citation: Yao W X, Guo S, Yu F H, Du W, Meng Y H, Wang J, Chen P C, et al. Droplet deposition and spatial drift distribution characteristics of aerial spraying based on the determination of effective swath. Int J Precis Agric Aviat, 2021; 4(1): 36–43.