The ASPires project was presented on the 39th meeting of the Forest Fire Panel (EGFF) Expert Group in Stresa, Italy on 21-22 May 2019.

The main objectives of the project and the results achieved were presented by Prof. Dr. Peter Peinl, representing the University of Applied Science, Fulda, Germany, coordinator of the project.

The presentation can be downloaded here.

On March 26, 2019 in the territory of the National Park of Mavrovo a training was organized for the employees of the park as part of the activities provided under the project "Advanced Systems for Prevention and Early Detection of Forest Fires".The training consisted of a theoretical and practical part. In the theoretical part lecturers presented the software solution of the system for early detection of fires, its operational functions and how the employees of the park have access to it and download the relevant information.
Employees were familiar with the types and characteristics of unmanned aircraft (unmanned aircraft) and their application in everyday life, as well as their application to work in the Mavrovo National Park.
In the practical part of the training was conducted pilot training for unmanned aircraft. The participants had the opportunity to manage them and gained considerable experience in the work, characteristics and great opportunities that can be applied in the day-to-day work of the Park, especially in early fire prevention.

Training for:
• Automatic take-off of Class 2 drones from a flat surface;
• Right take-off of Class 2 Dragon from a flat surface;
• Automatic take-off of Class 3 airplane from a flat surface;
• Right take-off of Class 3 airplane from a flat surface;
• Automatic landing of Class 2 airplane on a flat surface;
• Right landing of Class 2 carcass on a flat surface;
• Automatic landing of class 3 aircraft with ground level equipment;
• Right landing of class 3 airplane with landing gear on a flat surface.
The next few pictures show all phases of the training.

On the 28 March 2019 on the territory of Pelister National Park, training was carried out for the employees of the park as part of the activities provided in the project "Advanced Systems for Prevention and Early Detection of Forest Fires".

The training consisted of a theoretical and practical part. In the theoretical part, lecturers presented the software solution of the early detection system, its operational functions and how the park staff should access it and download the relevant information. Employees were familiar with the types and characteristics of unmanned aircraft (unmanned aircraft) and their use in the work of Pelister National Park.

In the practical part of the training was also provided the management of unmanned aircraft. The participants had the opportunity to manage them and gained considerable experience in the work, characteristics and great opportunities that can be put into practice in the day-to-day work of the park, especially in the early prevention of fires.

The training included:
• Automatic take-off of Class 2 drones from a flat surface;
• Right take-off of Class 2 Dragon from a flat surface;
• Automatic take-off of Class 3 airplane from a flat surface;
• Right take-off of Class 3 airplane from a flat surface;
• Automatic landing of Class 2 airplane on a flat surface;
• Right landing of Class 2 carcass on a flat surface;
• Automatic landing of class 3 aircraft with ground level equipment;
• Right landing of class 3 airplane with landing gear on a flat surface.

The ASPires seminar was held from the 20 to 22 March 2019 at Best Western Hotel in Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia.
Guests of the seminar from North Macedonia were Ministery of Defence, Military Academy, Army Forces, representatives from the national parks in North Macedonia, Mavrovo and Pelister, the Directorate for protection and rescue, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy,  the Crisis Management Center, Public Enterprise North Macedonian Forests, Ministy of Enviroment and Physical Planning. Guests from Kosovo were representatives from  Emergency Management Agency, Climate Change and Environment issues and Weather Forecaster in Hydrometeorological Institute of Kosovo. The delegation from Bulgaria is led by engineer Dimitar Klecherov, director of the fire department in Bansko, Bulgaria.

The seminar was attended by state television and local medias.

Training of End Users for Using the ASPires Project Equipment 

Drone Training Course
 

In the period from 14 November – 05 December, 2018, a training activity was conducted with the Еnd Users of the ASPires project for the use of drones, organized by the Military Academy ASPires team in cooperation with representatives from National Park Mavrovo. The training focused both on the theoretical and practical aspects necessary for enabling the national park’s selected employees to utilize the project’s equipment. 

The topics of the training included the following content: Introduction to Drones, Remote control, “Ready to Fly” System, Introduction to the DJI GO App and its basic interface, Managing Camera Settings, Detailed Overview of the RTH Option, Intelligent Flight Modes of DJI GO App, Advanced Training in DJI GO Settings, Interactive Simulator Training, Outdoor Flight of Class 3 Drone, as well as a series of practical training in drone take-off and landing.

A total number of five employees attended the training and a detailed assessment of each participant was made by the training instructor, indicating the skills and knowledge acquired during the activity.