PARAMETRIC SENSITIVITY IN AERIAL APPLICATION

This article summarizes a sensitivity study of all input variables int o the FSCBG aerial application computer model, including the near-wake AGDISP representation, helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, and drop s ize distribution. A linear analysis is performed around a nominal, or base case, parameter set. Trends in the results may be explained, for the most part, on a physical basis; however, the value of the present analysis is its quantification of the relative sensitivity of the resu lts to known input variable changes. The importance of these variation s are catalogued relative to effectiveness of swath width deposition a nd level of off-target drift. These results quantify several critical variables regarding aerial application, specifically those variables t hat must be carefully controlled or monitored during spray operations. In order of importance they include: release height, spraying speed, wind direction, and wind speed.