Russian Drone Maker and Avialesookhrana to Train Inspectors in Aerial Firefighting
New training program targets forestry specialists using drones to detect and fight wildfires
Forestry inspectors in Russia will be trained to detect and fight wildfires using drones, according to LPK Sibiri. The course is being launched jointly by drone manufacturer Geoskan and Avialesookhrana, the country’s aerial forest protection service.
Unmanned aerial vehicles are already widely used in forestry for monitoring. This year, regions are purchasing additional drones to expand forest surveillance. However, inspectors are typically trained only in basic drone operation.
Working With Equipment and Aerial Data
The new program, developed in line with the professional standard “Specialist in operating unmanned aerial systems with a maximum takeoff weight of 30 kg or less,” combines technical training with Avialesookhrana’s extensive field experience.
Inspectors will learn to operate Geoskan 801 and Geoskan 701 drones. The first is designed for rapid monitoring, while the second is used for long-duration aerial patrols. Participants will also learn to process aerial imagery using modern software. This approach helps determine the precise scale of fires and assess their impact. The data can then be used to alert firefighting services and enable a faster response.
