aerial imagery part i

AERIAL IMAGERYAERIAL IMAGERYPart IPart I

Lt Col James Babbitt, CAPLt Col James Babbitt, CAP

A5(XP)/Plans and ProgramsA5(XP)/Plans and Programs

Maryland WingMaryland Wing

With recognition and appreciation to With recognition and appreciation to Texas Wing from whose Mission Texas Wing from whose Mission Videographer Training Program this Videographer Training Program this presentation was derivedpresentation was derived

22

AGENDAAGENDA

What we will cover:What we will cover:

– Flight maneuversFlight maneuvers– Crew mechanicsCrew mechanics– Conducting an imagery missionConducting an imagery mission

33

AGENDAAGENDA

What we won’t cover:What we won’t cover:

– Camera operationCamera operation– Video imageryVideo imagery– Satellite Digital Imaging System (SDIS) transmissionSatellite Digital Imaging System (SDIS) transmission– ARCHER system -- Controlled by National HQsARCHER system -- Controlled by National HQs

The MechanicsThe Mechanicsof Aerial Imageryof Aerial Imagery

Flight ProfilesFlight Profiles

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FLIGHT PROFILESFLIGHT PROFILES

Point TargetsPoint Targets– 4-Square Pattern4-Square Pattern

The standard The standard EasiestEasiest Most stableMost stable

– Bird’s Eye PatternBird’s Eye Pattern Provides overview of a targetProvides overview of a target When detail and geographical referencing is requiredWhen detail and geographical referencing is required

– 45° Angle Pattern -- Employed upon customer request45° Angle Pattern -- Employed upon customer request Linear TargetsLinear Targets Area TargetsArea Targets

– Assessment surveyAssessment survey– Combination of multiple patternsCombination of multiple patterns

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FLIGHT PROFILESFLIGHT PROFILES

All crewmembers must be familiar with All crewmembers must be familiar with how any particular imaging pattern will how any particular imaging pattern will be approached and flownbe approached and flown

Planning is essential Planning is essential – Navigation data determined prior to pre-Navigation data determined prior to pre-

flight (e.g., lat/long of all entry and turning flight (e.g., lat/long of all entry and turning points) points)

– Employ the GPS and/or VORsEmploy the GPS and/or VORs

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FLIGHT PROFILESFLIGHT PROFILES

MP’s responsibility -- Maneuver the MP’s responsibility -- Maneuver the aircraft into the agreed upon profileaircraft into the agreed upon profile– Stable flightStable flight– Altitude -- 1000’ AGLAltitude -- 1000’ AGL– Provide the imager sufficient time to set up Provide the imager sufficient time to set up

the photo the photo Each pattern starts with an “ID Pass”Each pattern starts with an “ID Pass”

– Verifies the targetVerifies the target– Establishes its coordinates.Establishes its coordinates.– Permits the imager to examine the target Permits the imager to examine the target

and determine best framingand determine best framing

Point TargetsPoint Targets

1010

4 SQUARE PATTERN4 SQUARE PATTERN

.5 – 1.0 NM

1,000’ AGL

ID PASS

EXIT

1111

4 SQUARE PATTERN - NORTH4 SQUARE PATTERN - NORTH

1212

4 SQUARE PATTERN - EAST4 SQUARE PATTERN - EAST

1313

4 SQUARE PATTERN - SOUTH4 SQUARE PATTERN - SOUTH

1414

4 SQUARE PATTERN - WEST4 SQUARE PATTERN - WEST

1515

4 SQUARE PATTERN - NORTH4 SQUARE PATTERN - NORTH

1616

4 SQUARE PATTERN - EAST4 SQUARE PATTERN - EAST

1717

4 SQUARE PATTERN - SOUTH4 SQUARE PATTERN - SOUTH

1818

4 SQUARE PATTERN - WEST4 SQUARE PATTERN - WEST

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BIRD’S EYE VIEW PATTERNBIRD’S EYE VIEW PATTERN

.5 – 1.0 NM

> 1,000’ AGL

1

2

Circle target to determine best altitude for framing and direction from which to take

image

Approximately 75 knots (not < VX ) 10 degrees flaps,10 degrees bank and full opposite rudder

ID PASS

2020

BIRD’S EYE VIEW – LPG FACILITYBIRD’S EYE VIEW – LPG FACILITY

2121

BIRD’S EYE VIEW – AIRFIELDBIRD’S EYE VIEW – AIRFIELD

2222

BIRD’S EYE VIEW – AIRFIELDBIRD’S EYE VIEW – AIRFIELD

2323

BIRD’S EYE VIEW – ROAD BIRD’S EYE VIEW – ROAD DAMAGEDAMAGE

2424

45° TO TARGET PATTERN45° TO TARGET PATTERN

VARIBLE AGL

45O

ID PASS

AGL NM

1,000’ .233

1,500’ .349

2,000’ .465

2,500’ .582

3,000’ .698

3,500’ .815

4,000’ .931AGL

AGL

NM

2525

45° - Damaged Refinery45° - Damaged Refinery

2626

45° - Water Treatment Plant45° - Water Treatment Plant

2727

45° - Hospital45° - Hospital

2828

45° - Stadium45° - Stadium

Linear TargetsLinear Targets

3030

Linear TargetLinear Target

Area TargetsArea Targets

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AREA TARGETSAREA TARGETS

Commonly requires a combination of Commonly requires a combination of flight patterns and/or need to make flight patterns and/or need to make several passes to capture all targetsseveral passes to capture all targets

Parallel line search permits the crew to Parallel line search permits the crew to conduct an assessment over a broad conduct an assessment over a broad area – GPS coordinates captured for area – GPS coordinates captured for individual follow upindividual follow up

AERIAL IMAGERYAERIAL IMAGERYPart IIPart II

Lt Col James Babbitt, CAPLt Col James Babbitt, CAP

A5(XP)/Plans and ProgramsA5(XP)/Plans and Programs

Maryland WingMaryland Wing

With recognition and appreciation to With recognition and appreciation to Texas Wing from whose Mission Texas Wing from whose Mission Videographer Training Program this Videographer Training Program this presentation was derivedpresentation was derived

3434

CONDUCTING A SORTIECONDUCTING A SORTIE

The key to a successful imaging mission is The key to a successful imaging mission is preparation, planning, patience and practice!preparation, planning, patience and practice!

Majority of missions are “fly back” missions, where Majority of missions are “fly back” missions, where we take photos, return to base, and then transmit we take photos, return to base, and then transmit the images to our customerthe images to our customer

Missions where we take photos and transmit them Missions where we take photos and transmit them from the aircraft (Satellite Digital Imaging System) from the aircraft (Satellite Digital Imaging System) require specialized equipment and trainingrequire specialized equipment and training

The The wayway we plan and take photos is the same we plan and take photos is the same whether it is a fly back or SDIS missionwhether it is a fly back or SDIS mission

3535

CREW COMPOSITION AND CREW COMPOSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIESRESPONSIBILITIES

The Photographer is normally the Mission The Photographer is normally the Mission Commander, while the MP retains Commander, while the MP retains responsibility for the safety of the flight as responsibility for the safety of the flight as Aircraft CommanderAircraft Commander

Determine Photo Log requirements and brief Determine Photo Log requirements and brief the Log Keeper on data needed and how the Log Keeper on data needed and how the MP and Photographer will communicate the MP and Photographer will communicate this informationthis information

Briefing and Pre-Briefing and Pre-Flight PlanningFlight Planning

3737

BRIEFINGBRIEFING

Ensure your understanding of the target(s) Ensure your understanding of the target(s) and the customer’s requirementsand the customer’s requirements

What and where is the target?What and where is the target?

– Name and description of the targetName and description of the target

– Define the target location by at least two Define the target location by at least two forms of navigational information such as forms of navigational information such as Lat/Long and VOR radial/DMELat/Long and VOR radial/DME

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BRIEFINGBRIEFING

What are the customer’s requirements?What are the customer’s requirements?– Is the target a single feature or facility, such as Is the target a single feature or facility, such as

a building? If so, do they want as close a a building? If so, do they want as close a picture as possible (e.g., completely filling the picture as possible (e.g., completely filling the frame)?frame)?

– Does the customer want to see the target and Does the customer want to see the target and its environs to allow a larger perspective?its environs to allow a larger perspective?

– Does the customer want to see roads and/or Does the customer want to see roads and/or power lines leading to or from the target? If so, power lines leading to or from the target? If so, how far out from the target? how far out from the target?

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BRIEFINGBRIEFING

How should the target and surrounding features How should the target and surrounding features be imaged?be imaged?– Does the customer want to see the extent of flooding Does the customer want to see the extent of flooding

below a dam or levee, or the entire trail of debris from a below a dam or levee, or the entire trail of debris from a tornado?tornado?

– Does the customer want wide shots followed by close-Does the customer want wide shots followed by close-ups?ups?

– Does the customer want the shots taken from a certain Does the customer want the shots taken from a certain altitude (AGL) or from a specific angle to the target? Or altitude (AGL) or from a specific angle to the target? Or is it OK to change altitudes and/or zoom as necessary is it OK to change altitudes and/or zoom as necessary to get the best shot? to get the best shot?

4040

BRIEFINGBRIEFING

What information do they want to What information do they want to accompany the images? Accompanying accompany the images? Accompanying information may include:information may include:– Altitude (MSL or AGL, or both)Altitude (MSL or AGL, or both)– Latitude and LongitudeLatitude and Longitude– Time (local or Zulu)Time (local or Zulu)– Distance from target (nautical or statue miles)Distance from target (nautical or statue miles)– Direction to target (e.g., looking South)Direction to target (e.g., looking South)– Angle to target (e.g., 45°) Angle to target (e.g., 45°)

4141

BRIEFINGBRIEFING

What quality do they want (e.g., highest, What quality do they want (e.g., highest, medium or low)?medium or low)?

– This also helps you determine how large This also helps you determine how large (or how many) media cards you will need (or how many) media cards you will need for the sortiefor the sortie

Prior to TakeoffPrior to Takeoff

4343

INVENTORY EQUIPMENTINVENTORY EQUIPMENT

Camera batteries charged (including Camera batteries charged (including spares)spares)

Memory cards with sufficient capacitMemory cards with sufficient capacit Photo Log, Recon Sketch Sheet, and Photo Log, Recon Sketch Sheet, and

Image Pattern Planning sheets (along Image Pattern Planning sheets (along with a good clipboard)with a good clipboard)

Seat cushion Seat cushion

4444

PREPARE EQUIPMENTPREPARE EQUIPMENT

Turn on the camera and check statusTurn on the camera and check status– Full battery chargeFull battery charge– Sufficient space on the media cardSufficient space on the media card

Set camera time to your time hackSet camera time to your time hack Set the exposure modeSet the exposure mode Check or set image type, resolution and Check or set image type, resolution and

quality -- quality -- The best choice for the majority of The best choice for the majority of CAP imaging missions is JPG with the highest CAP imaging missions is JPG with the highest resolution with the best qualityresolution with the best quality..

Turn on the laptop and check for full battery Turn on the laptop and check for full battery charge and proper settingscharge and proper settings

4545

PREPARE the AIRCRAFTPREPARE the AIRCRAFT

Clean the aircraft windows Clean the aircraft windows Enter waypoints into the GPS before takeoffEnter waypoints into the GPS before takeoff Set up and test the audio Panel and IntercomSet up and test the audio Panel and Intercom Check the imaging equipment -- Note: A shot of the Check the imaging equipment -- Note: A shot of the

aircraft ‘N’ number provides a good “starting image” aircraft ‘N’ number provides a good “starting image” for the sortie, particularly if there are images on your for the sortie, particularly if there are images on your media card or tape from a previous sortie media card or tape from a previous sortie

Arrange equipment for easy access, ensure Arrange equipment for easy access, ensure lightweight objects are not lying loose where they can lightweight objects are not lying loose where they can be blown about the cabin when you open a windowbe blown about the cabin when you open a window

Transiting to the Transiting to the Target AreaTarget Area

4747

TRANSITING TO THE TARGET TRANSITING TO THE TARGET AREAAREA

Once you’re out of congested airspace, relax Once you’re out of congested airspace, relax the sterile cockpit rules while maintaining the sterile cockpit rules while maintaining situational awarenesssituational awareness

Double-check navigational settings to be used Double-check navigational settings to be used in the search areain the search area

Review search area terrain and obstaclesReview search area terrain and obstacles Update in-flight weatherUpdate in-flight weather Execute methods to reduce fatigue or combat Execute methods to reduce fatigue or combat

high altitude effects during the sortiehigh altitude effects during the sortie

Approach and Approach and Identification PassIdentification Pass

4949

APPROACHAPPROACH

Turn on exterior lights to maximize visibility to Turn on exterior lights to maximize visibility to others can -- Note: You may need to turn off the others can -- Note: You may need to turn off the strobe lights so they will not affect the photos, strobe lights so they will not affect the photos, particularly in low-overcast conditionsparticularly in low-overcast conditions

Review sortie objectives and crew Review sortie objectives and crew communications, and set the audio panel and communications, and set the audio panel and intercom for imaging pattern communications.intercom for imaging pattern communications.

Double-check radio and navigational settings and Double-check radio and navigational settings and check navigational equipment against each other check navigational equipment against each other (detect abnormalities or failures).(detect abnormalities or failures).

5050

APPROACHAPPROACH

Stabilize at ‘Target ID Pass’ heading, Stabilize at ‘Target ID Pass’ heading, altitude and airspeed (not < Valtitude and airspeed (not < Vxx) at least two ) at least two

miles out.miles out.– This allows time for everyone to get set for the This allows time for everyone to get set for the

photo or video run, and gives everyone the photo or video run, and gives everyone the opportunity to see what visibility and turbulence opportunity to see what visibility and turbulence conditions will be encountered over the target conditions will be encountered over the target areaarea

5151

IDENTIFICATION PASSIDENTIFICATION PASS

When you pass over the target, log the When you pass over the target, log the latitude and longitude and verify you have latitude and longitude and verify you have the right targetthe right target

The MP/MO enters the coordinates into the The MP/MO enters the coordinates into the GPS as a ‘User Waypoint’, and displays this GPS as a ‘User Waypoint’, and displays this waypoint in the navigation modewaypoint in the navigation mode– This will give the Mission Pilot an additional This will give the Mission Pilot an additional

means to ensure accurate distance from the means to ensure accurate distance from the target during passestarget during passes

5252

IDENTIFICATION PASSIDENTIFICATION PASS

Determine if lighting conditions are acceptable; if Determine if lighting conditions are acceptable; if not, determine whether or not to proceed with the not, determine whether or not to proceed with the sortie.sortie.

Verify that what you see is what you planned for Verify that what you see is what you planned for and that you can properly frame the target; if not, and that you can properly frame the target; if not, have the MP pick a safe location to loiter and re-have the MP pick a safe location to loiter and re-plan how to perform the imaging run (e.g., plan how to perform the imaging run (e.g., determine the altitude, angle and directions you determine the altitude, angle and directions you need to get the best photos) and how you wish to need to get the best photos) and how you wish to frame your photosframe your photos

5353

COMMIN MISTAKESCOMMIN MISTAKES

• Window sill included in photo

5454

COMMON MISTAKESCOMMON MISTAKES

• Strut included in photo

5555

COMMON MISTAKESCOMMON MISTAKES

• Photo out of focus

5656

COMMON MISTAKESCOMMON MISTAKES

• Too distant• Too much sky

Completing the Completing the MissionMission

5858

RETURN TO BASERETURN TO BASE

Ensure you have all your equipment, Ensure you have all your equipment, sketches, and logs before leaving the sketches, and logs before leaving the aircraftaircraft

Report to AOBD and turnover aircraft keysReport to AOBD and turnover aircraft keys Report to Planning Section Debriefing Report to Planning Section Debriefing

OfficerOfficer

5959

DEBRIEFINGDEBRIEFING

Check in with Debriefing Officer Check in with Debriefing Officer Tell how you did your job and what you saw Tell how you did your job and what you saw Transfer photos to the Planning Section computerTransfer photos to the Planning Section computer

– Verify that the pictures were successfully and Verify that the pictures were successfully and completely transferred by viewing each image on a completely transferred by viewing each image on a monitor before erasing the media cardmonitor before erasing the media card

– Review the photos (and Photo Logs) or video, Review the photos (and Photo Logs) or video, comparing them against mission objectives and comparing them against mission objectives and requirementsrequirements

Complete the back side of the CAPF 104Complete the back side of the CAPF 104