Forestry
This section addresses forestry applications. Hybrid air vehicle could play a role in reducing the
environmental impact of harvesting techniques by providing a viable alternative to building
logging roads. Harvesting could be done using hybrids on a more selective basis in cut blocks
and the logs could be transported to marshalling areas for transport by trucks to the mills. This
would limit the need for roads form the harvesting sites to these marshalling yards. Roads have
significant negative environmental impacts because of their effects on streams and fisheries,
the erosion they cause and access they provide to recreation and hunters who disturb wildlife.
Harvesting Techniques
Sustainable forest environments and the construction of logging roads are mutually
incompatible. The evidence is incontestable that ground disturbance and access to species
invasion caused by roads have destroyed huge areas of the boreal forest. The dilemma is that
efficient transportation remains a necessity. At the same time that the forest eco-system needs
to be maintained, the human population has to be economically sustainable, too. A new
generation of cargo hybrid air vehicle presents an opportunity to obtain a low cost method of
aerial logging that can minimize ground disturbance.
Aerial logging is a more sustainable method of harvesting timber because the cutting
practices can emulate the natural forest fire and re-growth cycle. Mature trees can be harvested
and the forest returned to its natural condition through controlled burns. The problem has
always been cost. Helicopter logging is practiced for high value, standing stems in British
Columbia, but even there the range of operations from roads is limited to a few miles. The
requirement is for a vertical take-off and landing vehicle that can carry bundles of logs weighing
between 20 and 40 tons for a distance of 25 to 100 kilometers. This vehicle needs to operate
with costs that are competitive with the costs of building roads and operating tractor trailers.
The hybrid air vehicle has the potential to meet these requirements and revolutionize the
lumbering practices in the boreal forest.
Copyright © 2023
Millennium Airship Inc/SkyFreighter Canada Ltd
Forestry
This section addresses forestry applications. Hybrid air
vehicle could play a role in reducing the environmental impact
of harvesting techniques by providing a viable alternative to
building logging roads. Harvesting could be done using hybrids
on a more selective basis in cut blocks and the logs could be
transported to marshalling areas for transport by trucks to the
mills. This would limit the need for roads form the harvesting
sites to these marshalling yards. Roads have significant
negative environmental impacts because of their effects on
streams and fisheries, the erosion they cause and access they
provide to recreation and hunters who disturb wildlife.
Harvesting Techniques
Sustainable forest environments and the construction of
logging roads are mutually incompatible. The evidence is
incontestable that ground disturbance and access to species
invasion caused by roads have destroyed huge areas of the
boreal forest. The dilemma is that efficient transportation
remains a necessity. At the same time that the forest eco-
system needs to be maintained, the human population has to
be economically sustainable, too. A new generation of cargo
hybrid air vehicle presents an opportunity to obtain a low cost
method of aerial logging that can minimize ground
disturbance.
Aerial logging is a more sustainable method of harvesting
timber because the cutting practices can emulate the natural
forest fire and re-growth cycle. Mature trees can be harvested
and the forest returned to its natural condition through
controlled burns. The problem has always been cost.
Helicopter logging is practiced for high value, standing stems
in British Columbia, but even there the range of operations
from roads is limited to a few miles. The requirement is for a
vertical take-off and landing vehicle that can carry bundles of
logs weighing between 20 and 40 tons for a distance of 25 to
100 kilometers. This vehicle needs to operate with costs that
are competitive with the costs of building roads and operating
tractor trailers. The hybrid air vehicle has the potential to meet
these requirements and revolutionize the lumbering practices
in the boreal forest.
Copyright © 2023
Millennium Airship Inc/SkyFreighter Canada Ltd
