Two down in the far north of South Australia

[43Inches]

Originally Posted by Cedrik

My 20 million reference was for an aircraft to do the same job as an 802, how many UAV's do you know have a 3+ tonne load plus carry another tonne of fuel for 10K? If you can muster with a 10K UAV then why do people pay to have fixed wing and choppers to do the job? Because it's unfeasible to use a UAV.

Drones are already doing stock jobs, and farming jobs, they don't have to have 3 ton payload or x ton fuel load, you can take them directly to site by car/truck and launch there. Yes there are still jobs for the manned aircraft, but that will change over the next decade or so as drone and battery tech goes ahead further. Drones just have far more utility, can pin point things rather than dump all over an area, are able to hover in situe with very little downwash, and carry a wide array of interchangeable equipment that can not only drive stock, but monitor it over time at very little cost. They will just like a tractor soon, you buy a number of platforms and attachments for what job you need that day.

Drones may be a lot more stock-friendly, but they are not wedgetail eagle-friendly! Try flying one in a wedgie's territory & see what happens to it!

Wedgies don't go near the drones in our area, but they are well fed on lambs that are not protected.

[Clare Prop]

Also with technology such as mOOvement you will know where the mobs are, no need for spotter aircraft or thermal cameras.
Aerial mustering is not compatible with the Animal Welfare Standards, which are not optional and covered under Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation. There are plenty of activists that would get on this band wagon and maybe this accident will get their attention. Next thing you know Albanese could be shutting down the whole industry.
A station can muster their stock with a fraction of the labour, equipment, cost and risk by using new technologies. You don't even have to be on site.
If you are a station owner who dismisses it as "not feasible", or someone who thinks a station is a "100 acre hobby farm" then you need to catch up.

[Cedrik]

How many million acre (or 100,000 acre horse paddocks for that matter) stations in the Kimberlys or NT use UAVs for mustering? Can you Clare quote an example of where UAVs are used for mustering commercially in the real world?

[megan]

Wedgies don't go near the drones in our area, but they are well fed on lambs that are not protected

You need to get in the plover breeding business 43, they keep wedgies away, had plovers living in the grass along the runway, any wedgie that came within sight was attacked immediately, and I mean attacked, they harried the life out of the poor sod.

[megle2]

Ok so 43 is suggesting a drone solution in a decade or so. That’s probably reasonably realistic. For the time being I guess we care stuck with the present dangers

[aroa]

The steep climbing turn to look back after spotting the stock has bought many undone. If that was the case.
RIP that lad.

[Clare Prop]

Originally Posted by Cedrik

How many million acre (or 100,000 acre horse paddocks for that matter) stations in the Kimberlys or NT use UAVs for mustering? Can you Clare quote an example of where UAVs are used for mustering commercially in the real world?

Here's a few to start off with, as well as guest lecturers at uni.
So it seems that CASA are causing obstacles, surprise surprise

Mustering by drone is cheap and safe but regulatory red tape stands in the way for many - ABC News

Drones for mustering improves safety and efficiency on rural properties - ABC News

P.PSH.1374 - Livestock Mustering with Drones and Pathways to Adoption | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

Goat producers trial drone mustering | Meat & Livestock Australia (mla.com.au)

Northern Territory cattle station adopts drone to muster cattle, check fires - ABC News

World-first live remote muster by drone at Beef Australia 2024 a sign of things to come for cattle industry - ABC News

JBR "Helicopter mustering is regarded as one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, with CASA describing the industry as "hazard rich" due to low-level flying and the risks of terrain, trees, and powerlines.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) reported 133 aerial mustering incidents since the beginning of 2010.

During that time, 21 people were killed and 22 were seriously injured."

[markzily]

This is concerning news. It's troubling to hear about two separate light plane crashes in such a short span of time and in remote areas of South Australia. I hope both pilots recover swiftly from their injuries, and my thoughts are with their families during this difficult time. It's a stark reminder of the challenges and risks involved in aviation, particularly in remote and rugged landscapes.

[Desert Flower]

Originally Posted by markzily

This is concerning news. It's troubling to hear about two separate light plane crashes in such a short span of time and in remote areas of South Australia. I hope both pilots recover swiftly from their injuries, and my thoughts are with their families during this difficult time. It's a stark reminder of the challenges and risks involved in aviation, particularly in remote and rugged landscapes.

Did you read my original post? The first pilot (a young lad of 22) was killed.

DF.