Zhang Aiguo, 62, a farmer from central China’s Hunan province, has made 5 farming drones with his partners since 2013, which cost just less than 20,000 dollars for each one. The aircraft enthusiast made his specifically designed drones by inviting professionals to do the designs, buying imported engines online and ordering body frames from aircraft factories.
Moreover, Zhang used lighter materials to save weight and improved the ignition mode for safe and convenience. Zhang is planning to produce 10 drones by this year, and to expand the output to 30 in 3 years, which could cover the demand of crops dust in the whole county.
Zhang Aiguo (R) and his partner Wang Guochu pose with their self-made drones in his yard in Xiangtan County, central China’s Hunan province, March 18, 2014