Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/907666
December 2017 WINES&VINES 65 WINE EAST GRAPEGROWING multiple angles, which allows for a 3-D reconstruction. Anyone who has tried the View-Master stereo- scopic toy has experienced the sim- plest form of 3-D photography. Larger sets of multiple-per- spective images enable models like that shown on page 64. The main image in this photo shows the spatial extent of the model. The lower inset shows a different view of the block captured by ro- tating the model in multiple axes and zooming in for detail. The upper inset illustrates an elevation map of the model. To save flight time and process- ing time, this model was captured from an altitude of 350 feet with a minimal number of overlapping photos. That level of detail was high enough to interactively scout the block for the types of variables necessary for the inspection, but image and model detail can be substantially increased by flying at a lower altitude and increasing the image count. The photo at left demonstrates a higher level of de- tail provided by a model captured using the same drone and camera at an altitude of 75 feet over a block of Pinot Noir in California's Central Valley. Getting started Anyone considering the use of an agricultural aerial drone should be aware that the FAA recently de- clared strict rules governing their use in commerce. While children are still free to annoy their neigh- bors with very few restrictions, adults who want to use aerial drones for productive purposes are required to obtain an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) pilot cer- tificate from the FAA and adhere to strict airspace rules and restric- tions. Preparing for the exam re- quires a little determination, but there are some excellent study tools available that will ensure your readiness. A good place to start is the website faa.gov/uas/ getting_started/. Feel free to con- tact me if you are interested in obtaining a license and/or have questions about the process. Jim Meyers is based in Westport, N.Y., and serves as the viticulture and wine specialist for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in a 17-county region in east- ern New York. He received his Ph.D. in viticulture from Cornell University and earned a master's degree in computer science from Brown University. A low-altitude, three-dimensional image of canopy was created with overlap- ping drone images.