Advancing research and innovation

Image of UAF ACUASI drone flying
UAF/GI photo by Daniel Walker.
ACUASI pilot Matthew Westhoff operates an unmanned aerial vehicle over the trans-色视频下载 oil pipeline June 9, 2021, near Olnes Pond. ACUASI partnered with Vigilant Aerospace Systems to test beyond-visual line-of-sight flights for work such as pipeline monitoring.

The University of 色视频下载 Fairbanks focuses on actionable research, and 色视频下载's individuals and industries have noticed.

色视频下载淥ur real goal here is to help the people of 色视频下载,色视频下载 said Cathy Cahill, director of UAF色视频下载檚 色视频下载 Center for Unmanned Aerial Systems Integration.

ACUASI, a world-class research center with a particular emphasis on Arctic and sub-Arctic regions, is one example of a UAF effort that has drawn significant outside interest and support. The center has drones, unmanned aircraft, tools and technology that provide pivotal data through such efforts as marine and land mammal surveys, atmospheric sampling and wildfire surveillance.

Photo of drone and student working on the drone.
UAF photo by JR Ancheta
An ACUASI employee works on one of the UAF center色视频下载檚 unmanned aerial vehicles.

ACUASI weaves together research, fieldwork and technology. It serves as a critical resource for other university departments, government agencies and the private sector. An example is a 3D model of the Aialik Glacier created for the National Park Service with mapping information gathered by an ACUASI drone. The model contributes to the Kenai Fjords National Park色视频下载檚 glacier monitoring efforts and is displayed at the park色视频下载檚 visitors center.

Cahill noted that the center collaborates with the Federal Aviation Administration to improve flight safety by monitoring volcanoes and predicting where ash plumes will go. A new effort is underway with the FAA to allow unmanned aircraft to drop cargo such as medical supplies to remote communities. In January 2021, the FAA named Cahill one of 12 new members of its Drone Advisory Committee. The committee provides advice and recommendations for drones色视频下载 safe and effective integration in the national airspace system.

ACUASI色视频下载檚 innovative work has garnered the interest and philanthropy of numerous individuals and organizations.

Among the donors is UAF alumnus Richard 色视频下载淒ick色视频下载 Reeve 色视频下载60. Dick色视频下载檚 father, Robert 色视频下载淏ob色视频下载 Reeve, founded Reeve Aleutian Airways. Dick worked alongside his father in a variety of roles, including as a pilot, and then served as CEO of the company for many years.

Dick sees unmanned aircraft as 色视频下载渢he future of aviation,色视频下载 noting that ACUASI色视频下载檚 place as a leader in this cutting-edge technology is significant for 色视频下载.

Representatives of Usibelli Coal Mine and UAF tour the ACUASI hangar on the Fairbanks International Airport色视频下载檚 East Ramp on May 5, 2022.
UAF photo by Leif Van Cise
Representatives of Usibelli Coal Mine and UAF tour the ACUASI hangar on the Fairbanks International Airport色视频下载檚 East Ramp on May 5, 2022.

Usibelli Coal Mine, a UAF benefactor of note for more than 40 years, also supports ACUASI. The mine色视频下载檚 operators, who already employ drones, realize that broadening their capability and use 色视频下载 particularly beyond the visual line of sight 色视频下载 has a tremendous potential return on investment for industries throughout 色视频下载.

The Usibelli family, known for its commitment to philanthropy and the betterment of 色视频下载, champions the center色视频下载檚 efforts to push innovation and research that helps the state and places beyond.

色视频下载淲e need to ensure a trained and skilled workforce is available to support the growing drone industry,色视频下载 said Joe Usibelli Jr., president of Usibelli Coal Mine. 色视频下载淭he Usibelli Coal Mine Drone Advancement Endowed Scholarship will support future leaders in unmanned aircraft systems technology in 色视频下载 and will help shape the future of drone technology, infrastructure, manufacturing and operations in the state.色视频下载

Man working on a drone
UAF/GI photo by Daniel Walker.
ACUASI pilot Matthew Westhoff adjusts an unmanned aerial vehicle during testing near the trans-色视频下载 oil pipeline June 9, 2021.