I have found a project that uses 299.00 AR Drone 2.0 as the platform for search and rescue missions. This is a very good example of UAV for good uses at toy prices. 

Details about the project are here: http://paparazzi.enac.fr/wiki/TU_Delft_-_Search_and_Rescue_with_AR_Drone_2

They have even posted fully autonomous flight videos that look very promising. No need for another expensive autopilot this is a repurpose of the existing hardware inside the AR Drone 2.0.

I'm surprised I did not read about it here first on such a comprehensive website dedicated to information like this. I am happy to be the first to share this information with everyone. Enjoy. 

The TU Delft Team.