Regarding SAR, I'm not sure if isn't a pipe dream.  My goal was to build a quad reliable enough to do spotting. Fly well in wind, night or day.   Not thinking thermal imaging, just low light cameras.  Mainly used to get an above the trees view of the search area, and possible spotting on well cleared trails from above.  We've done searches with Air SAR. Guys flying their expensive, gas-guzzling Cessna, with two spotters and a navigator. They fly VFR good weather only.  They could be replaced with a pretty simple winged drone.   Often your looking for a place to start a ground search. Could be a car or articles of clothing.  We do have a  Cormorant heli available if the search qualifies for military SAR help.      

Hello There, and thanks for you kind words regarding our Drone work here in Namibia. I hope I am responding correctly on DiyDrones - I am not sure how it all works, cant seem to find a way to directly respond to someones comment on our blog - If I get this wrong , I apologize, and please tell me how!

Anyway, all that you see , except for Kiwit, was done by 2 people, my Wife and I, over 2 years. Kiwit , the airframe, was developed while I was still employed in South Africa, 5 years ago.

It has been fun..

Joe