It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a helicopter . . . with no pilot?

Rotor Technologies is making unmanned helicopters. Who needs these? Farmers! 

Small planes and drones spray crops with pesticide and fertilizer. But unmanned helicopters could be a better way to spray larger areas.

So far, Rotor has built two semi-autonomous helicopters. They are called Sprayhawks. Semi-autonomous means that the whirlybirds aren’t fully self-flying. For now, a remote pilot is in control.

Why do farmers want helicopters without pilots? Safety. Crop duster planes zoom at around 150 miles per hour. They fly only about 10 feet off the ground. So there are dozens of accidents every year. Planes hit trees, power lines, cell towers, or other planes. 

Drones are cheaper and safer. But they are smaller. Their battery power doesn’t last long. They can’t cover as much ground as planes and helicopters. 

Will these helicopters take jobs away from pilots? Maybe. For now, Rotor wants to remove pilots from the most dangerous jobs.

To make the Sprayhawk, Rotor took out the aircraft’s four seats. Workers added flight computers and communications systems. Those make it possible to operate the chopper remotely. It has five cameras and laser-sensing technology. Radar, GPS, and motion sensors help the ’copter track where the ground is.

Rotor also added safety features. If operators on the ground lose contact with the helicopter, they can shut off the engine. The helicopter will perform a controlled landing. 

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you. — Hosea 10:12