As technology continues to play a bigger role in how municipalities manage and maintain parks and open spaces, drones have become an essential tool for efficient field monitoring. One such tool, the Phantom Multispectral drone, offers advanced imaging capabilities that help staff better understand turf and soil conditions across sports fields and green spaces.
Equipped with a multispectral camera, the Phantom detects subtle differences in vegetation health by analyzing reflected light wavelengths. This data can reveal key indicators such as moisture levels, plant vigor, and stress patterns, allowing maintenance teams to make informed decisions about irrigation, aeration, and other field care practices.
However, drone operations depend heavily on environmental conditions. For accurate imaging, the sun must be at least 30 degrees above the horizon, ensuring consistent light and reliable data. This means that winter operations are limited, as low sun angles reduce image quality. Typically, the drone season begins in late February or early March, once daylight conditions improve, and continues through late September or early October, covering the most active period for turf growth and sports field use.
The Phantom Multispectral is also built to perform within a specific temperature range. The camera operates best between 0°C and 40°C, while its intelligent flight batteries can function from -10°C to 40°C. Staying within these limits ensures both safety and optimal performance throughout the flying season.
By understanding and planning around these operational parameters, we can make the most of drone technology, capturing accurate, actionable data that supports healthier fields, smarter maintenance practices, and better experiences for community users.
