Low-flying plane to scan Kerry countryside for geological survey
People in parts of Kerry are being notified of a survey in the coming months that will see an aircraft fly as low as 60 metres over rural areas and 240 metres above urban parts.
The Tellus Survey is a national programme that gathers geochemical and geophysical data to examine the chemical and physical properties of our soil, rocks and water.
The Government project will involve a white-coloured twin propeller plane with a red tail and black stripe that is labelled ‘SURVEY’ with the registration number C-GSGF.
The sound of the plane is similar to that of ‘a passing lorry’ which may startle livestock and horses due to its low trajectory. The survey areas include south, east, and west Kerry and excludes Tralee and the north of the county.
Sander Geophysics is carrying out the survey on behalf of Geological Survey Ireland – a division of the Department of the Environment.
The flyovers will be subject to weather and will commence from late spring until autumn. The information gathered will be used for new geological maps, and better management and use of environmental, agricultural and natural resources. The information gathered by the survey will be freely available to the public.
The Government is already delivering leaflets to homes. People operating drones, concerned over sensitive livestock, or wish to be kept informed of flight plans in their area, can call 1800 455565
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