Frost Prevention

Sinomux T280 Twin-Rotor Drone: Safeguarding Laiyang Pear Orchards from Frost

In the early hours of April 15, 2025, at the Laiyang pear base in Anlezhuang Village, Muyudian Town, Laiyang City, a coordinated frost protection operation quietly unfolded. The Sinomux T280 twin-rotor fuel-powered drone from Shitian Aviation played the starring role, working in concert with surrounding bonfires to shield the orchards from dangerous low-temperature frost.

Emergency Deployment

At 1:00 a.m., temperatures dropped sharply to 1°C, posing a serious frost threat to Laiyang pears in their critical growth stage. The orchard’s emergency response plan was activated immediately, and the Sinomux T280 took to the skies. Developed by Qingdao Shitian Innovative Aviation Technology Co., Ltd., the T280 features a maximum payload of 120 kg and an endurance of 2–4 hours, making it ideal for extended, large-scale frost prevention missions.

Innovative Warm Airflow Technique

The T280 leveraged its fuel engine’s heat output and strong downwash to generate a blanket of warm airflow at low altitude. Simultaneously, multiple bonfires around the orchard released heat into the surrounding air. The drone’s airflow boosted this heat circulation, displacing cold air and replenishing the canopy with warmer air. This prevented frost from damaging the blossoms and young leaves, preserving the orchard’s yield potential.

• Warm Airflow Generation: Fuel engine heat + rotor downwash
• Synergistic Bonfire Support: Ground heat combined with aerial mixing for effective convection
• Targeted Coverage: Precisely planned flight paths for even temperature distribution

Efficient and Effective

From 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., the T280 continuously patrolled the orchard, evenly dispersing warm airflow across every section. Staff on-site noted that traditional methods such as smoke pots are less efficient, cover limited areas, and require heavy manpower. In contrast, the combination of drone and bonfires delivered broader coverage with reduced labor demand and significantly improved frost protection efficiency.

Protecting a Regional Treasure

Laiyang pears hold immense economic and cultural value as a signature agricultural product of the region. This successful frost prevention operation represents a technological breakthrough in safeguarding against climate threats. Moving forward, the Laiyang pear base plans to deepen cooperation with Shitian Aviation and other technology partners to further integrate advanced agricultural solutions, ensuring the industry’s sustainable and resilient growth.