Bangladesh-made drone takes flight

The remote-controlled aircraft referred to as a drone, constructed by students of Shahjalal university using local equipment, took its inaugural flight on Wednesday.

The designers claim that the remotely operated device will be able to reach any place within a relatively short time and is quite noiseless in its operation.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology professor, prominent writer and columnist Zafar Iqbal inaugurated the flight at the university campus at 1:20pm.

The drone flew in the air for 50 seconds. During its test-flight on Tuesday, it flew for about 10 minutes.

Project Captain Syed Rezwanul Haque was present with two of his group members Rahat and Robi during the inaugural flight.

“They tried very hard,” Professor Zafar Iqbal said. “They failed several times – the drone even crashed – but finally they designed something that can fly.”

“There are many meritorious students in Bangladesh. If they can harness their potential complex technology such as this can be made with local equipment,” he said.

He also called upon the government to support and encourage students.

Rezwan had been dreaming of building such a device since his childhood. In April of last year, he introduced the idea to Zafar Iqbal and began working towards realising his dream.

The students were said to have designed the drone for the Bangladeshi Army. However, it can be used for other purposes.

“Our model does not require a runway for landing or lift-off,” Rezwan said. “You can make it fly just by throwing it in the air. The device can send information before the possibility of it being destroyed.”

– See more at: http://www.dhakatribune.com/education/2014/jan/29/bangladesh-made-drone-takes-flight#sthash.n3YrweBM.dpuf