Ministry launches first marine aerial monitoring tour using Autogyro aircraft

Marine protection inspectors praise the aircraft, say they can now save time, effort and expenses

NT Bureau
Doha

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change has launched the first marine aerial monitoring tour, using the Autogyro aircraft, from Umm Shakhout Airport, the Ministry said on social media.

The tour included a number of marine and coastal areas in the country, it said.

The marine protection inspectors praised the air traffic control for saving time, effort and expenses, and for covering large areas in a short time, pointing out that they were in direct contact with the plane during the flight, and they also obtained the films that were taken, which were of high quality and high resolution.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change had earlier announced the launch of Autogyro aircraft for the first time in Qatar to preserve the local environment and protect biodiversity.

Meanwhile, a number of environmental specialists praised the recent efforts of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change to protect wildlife in the country, by launching many positive environmental projects and initiatives to achieve environmental sustainability. They said the rehabilitation and fencing of the gardens is one of the creative projects that contribute to preserving green areas, due to its major role in preventing the entry of vehicles, thus reducing the occurrence of environmental violations and illegal encroachments into natural parks that citizens and residents are keen to visit.
They also welcomed the launch of autogiro for environmental monitoring.

An autogyro or gyroplane is a class of rotorcraft that uses an unpowered rotor in free autorotation to develop lift. While similar to a helicopter rotor in appearance, the autogyro’s unpowered rotor disc must have air flowing upward across it to make it rotate. Forward thrust is provided independently, by an engine-driven propeller.

The aircraft can take high quality pictures and videos from a long distance and also communicate with inspectors on the ground.

Meanwhile, the Wildlife Protection Department of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) said that it has recorded 999 environmental violations during first quarter of 2024.