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.
 

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