SEA GRASS BED MAPPING
DRONE FLIES OVER CEDAR KEYS An energetic, driven group of experts launched and operated an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at Cedar Keys` George T. Lewis Airport this past week. The UAV`s twenty-pound payload capacity held cameras specifically designed to map sea grass beds north of Seahorse Key for the purpose of determining their health, condition, and productivity. This week was particularly opportune because the extremely low tides made camera work easier; however, the overcast skies limited the drone`s flight time. No mapping of Cedar Keys` grass beds has been done since 2001. 
BAT4 pre-flight: NASA’s Richard Kolyer and MLB’s Steven Morris ready the BAT-4 for take off.
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Sea grass health and productivity are critical to coastal areas such as the Cedar Keys as the beds function as fish nurseries, provide key ecological services, cycle nutrients, stabilize sediment, and enhance biodiversity. The number of sea grass beds is diminishing globally for a host of reasons, among them nutrient runoff, physical disturbance, and algal blooms. This sea grass monitoring project is a joint effort between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The venture was approved by the Cedar Key City Commission at its October 18, 2011, meeting when FWC research scientist and sea grass expert Dr. Paul Carlson from St. Petersburg addressed the issue. Dr. Carlson and NASA Engineer Richard Kolyer were among the able crew at the airport. Kolyer`s role as range safety officer ensured that the drone flights comply with all the all federal regulations. Among others, these regulations require that the UAV always be visible to ground crew. Resultantly, two manned observer boats had the drone in site at all times during the mapping and were in constant radio contact with the Kolyer and the airport crew. Kolyer also maintained a safe area around the flight control team and the local observers who were present. The University of South Florida`s David English imaged the water optical properties for the team. 
BAT4 touchdown: The BAT-4 resting and ready for take off at Cedar Keys Lewis Airport.
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The particular UAV used at Cedar Key, the BAT-4, contained approximately 20 pounds of camera equipment especially designed to map the sea grass beds. The gasoline-powered, two-stroke engine is located in the rear to facilitate an unobstructed view for the camera. The drone is three-feet high and eight feet long, with a wingspan of thirteen feet. This "robust and reliable" vehicle can fly uninterruptedly from eight to twelve hours and is capable of landing itself. Team member Stephen Morris, Ph. D., president of the MLB Company (not Major League Baseball, as he pointed out but the name of his unmanned aircraft systems manufacturing, design, and services company) was with the airport crew. Dr. Morris`s California-based company owns this particular UAV and hosts an impressive website at www.mlbuav.com. Morris was assisted by colleague Austin Howard. 
BAT4 landing: BAT-4 lands after mapping sea grass beds north of Seahorse Key.
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Morris and his partners created MLB in 1998 with the vision of providing "airborne access to information." Commercial uses for its drones include imaging crops and forests to monitor their health and productivity. Post 911 uses for the UAVs have focused upon scientific, rather than commercial, research.
The crew members were most open, helpful, and gracious with information, photographs, and their time when approached by the Cedar Key News reporter and the local observers who were fortunate enough to view the happenings. | 
