AERIAL IMAGERY Part I Lt Col James Babbitt, CAP A5(XP)/Plans and Programs Maryland Wing With recognition and appreciation to Texas Wing from whose Mission Videographer Training Program this presentation was derived

2 AGENDA  What we will cover: –Flight maneuvers –Crew mechanics –Conducting an imagery mission

3 AGENDA  What we won’t cover: –Camera operation –Video imagery –Satellite Digital Imaging System (SDIS) transmission –ARCHER system -- Controlled by National HQs

The Mechanics of Aerial Imagery

Flight Profiles

6 FLIGHT PROFILES  Point Targets –4-Square Pattern  The standard  Easiest  Most stable –Bird’s Eye Pattern  Provides overview of a target  When detail and geographical referencing is required –45° Angle Pattern -- Employed upon customer request  Linear Targets  Area Targets –Assessment survey –Combination of multiple patterns

7 FLIGHT PROFILES  All crewmembers must be familiar with how any particular imaging pattern will be approached and flown  Planning is essential –Navigation data determined prior to pre- flight (e.g., lat/long of all entry and turning points) –Employ the GPS and/or VORs

8 FLIGHT PROFILES  MP’s responsibility -- Maneuver the aircraft into the agreed upon profile –Stable flight –Altitude ’ AGL –Provide the imager sufficient time to set up the photo  Each pattern starts with an “ID Pass” –Verifies the target –Establishes its coordinates. –Permits the imager to examine the target and determine best framing

Point Targets

10 4 SQUARE PATTERN.5 – 1.0 NM 1,000’ AGL ID PASS EXIT

11 4 SQUARE PATTERN - NORTH

12 4 SQUARE PATTERN - EAST

13 4 SQUARE PATTERN - SOUTH

14 4 SQUARE PATTERN - WEST

15 4 SQUARE PATTERN - NORTH

16 4 SQUARE PATTERN - EAST

17 4 SQUARE PATTERN - SOUTH

18 4 SQUARE PATTERN - WEST

19 BIRD’S EYE VIEW PATTERN.5 – 1.0 NM > 1,000’ AGL 12 Circle target to determine best altitude for framing and direction from which to take image Approximately 75 knots (not < V X ) 10 degrees flaps, 10 degrees bank and full opposite rudder ID PASS

20 BIRD’S EYE VIEW – LPG FACILITY

21 BIRD’S EYE VIEW – AIRFIELD

22 BIRD’S EYE VIEW – AIRFIELD

23 BIRD’S EYE VIEW – ROAD DAMAGE

24 45° TO TARGET PATTERN VARIBLE AGL 45 O ID PASS AGLNM 1,000’.233 1,500’.349 2,000’.465 2,500’.582 3,000’.698 3,500’.815 4,000’.931 AGL NM

25 45° - Damaged Refinery

26 45° - Water Treatment Plant

27 45° - Hospital

28 45° - Stadium

Linear Targets

30 Linear Target

Area Targets

32 AREA TARGETS  Commonly requires a combination of flight patterns and/or need to make several passes to capture all targets  Parallel line search permits the crew to conduct an assessment over a broad area – GPS coordinates captured for individual follow up

AERIAL IMAGERY Part II Lt Col James Babbitt, CAP A5(XP)/Plans and Programs Maryland Wing With recognition and appreciation to Texas Wing from whose Mission Videographer Training Program this presentation was derived

34 CONDUCTING A SORTIE  The key to a successful imaging mission is preparation, planning, patience and practice!  Majority of missions are “fly back” missions, where we take photos, return to base, and then transmit the images to our customer  Missions where we take photos and transmit them from the aircraft (Satellite Digital Imaging System) require specialized equipment and training  The way we plan and take photos is the same whether it is a fly back or SDIS mission

35 CREW COMPOSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES  The Photographer is normally the Mission Commander, while the MP retains responsibility for the safety of the flight as Aircraft Commander  Determine Photo Log requirements and brief the Log Keeper on data needed and how the MP and Photographer will communicate this information

Briefing and Pre- Flight Planning

37 BRIEFING  Ensure your understanding of the target(s) and the customer’s requirements  What and where is the target? –Name and description of the target –Define the target location by at least two forms of navigational information such as Lat/Long and VOR radial/DME

38 BRIEFING  What are the customer’s requirements? –Is the target a single feature or facility, such as a building? If so, do they want as close a picture as possible (e.g., completely filling the frame)? –Does the customer want to see the target and its environs to allow a larger perspective? –Does the customer want to see roads and/or power lines leading to or from the target? If so, how far out from the target?

39 BRIEFING  How should the target and surrounding features be imaged? –Does the customer want to see the extent of flooding below a dam or levee, or the entire trail of debris from a tornado? –Does the customer want wide shots followed by close- ups? –Does the customer want the shots taken from a certain altitude (AGL) or from a specific angle to the target? Or is it OK to change altitudes and/or zoom as necessary to get the best shot?

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

41 BRIEFING  What quality do they want (e.g., highest, medium or low)? –This also helps you determine how large (or how many) media cards you will need for the sortie

Prior to Takeoff

43 INVENTORY EQUIPMENT  Camera batteries charged (including spares)  Memory cards with sufficient capacit  Photo Log, Recon Sketch Sheet, and Image Pattern Planning sheets (along with a good clipboard)  Seat cushion

44 PREPARE EQUIPMENT  Turn on the camera and check status –Full battery charge –Sufficient space on the media card  Set camera time to your time hack  Set the exposure mode  Check or set image type, resolution and quality -- The best choice for the majority of CAP imaging missions is JPG with the highest resolution with the best quality.  Turn on the laptop and check for full battery charge and proper settings

45 PREPARE the AIRCRAFT  Clean the aircraft windows  Enter waypoints into the GPS before takeoff  Set up and test the audio Panel and Intercom  Check the imaging equipment -- Note: A shot of the aircraft ‘N’ number provides a good “starting image” for the sortie, particularly if there are images on your media card or tape from a previous sortie  Arrange equipment for easy access, ensure lightweight objects are not lying loose where they can be blown about the cabin when you open a window

Transiting to the Target Area

47 TRANSITING TO THE TARGET AREA  Once you’re out of congested airspace, relax the sterile cockpit rules while maintaining situational awareness  Double-check navigational settings to be used in the search area  Review search area terrain and obstacles  Update in-flight weather  Execute methods to reduce fatigue or combat high altitude effects during the sortie

Approach and Identification Pass

49 APPROACH  Turn on exterior lights to maximize visibility to others can -- Note: You may need to turn off the strobe lights so they will not affect the photos, particularly in low-overcast conditions  Review sortie objectives and crew communications, and set the audio panel and intercom for imaging pattern communications.  Double-check radio and navigational settings and check navigational equipment against each other (detect abnormalities or failures).

50 APPROACH  Stabilize at ‘Target ID Pass’ heading, altitude and airspeed (not < V x ) at least two miles out. –This allows time for everyone to get set for the photo or video run, and gives everyone the opportunity to see what visibility and turbulence conditions will be encountered over the target area

51 IDENTIFICATION PASS  When you pass over the target, log the latitude and longitude and verify you have the right target  The MP/MO enters the coordinates into the GPS as a ‘User Waypoint’, and displays this waypoint in the navigation mode –This will give the Mission Pilot an additional means to ensure accurate distance from the target during passes

52 IDENTIFICATION PASS  Determine if lighting conditions are acceptable; if not, determine whether or not to proceed with the sortie.  Verify that what you see is what you planned for and that you can properly frame the target; if not, have the MP pick a safe location to loiter and re- plan how to perform the imaging run (e.g., determine the altitude, angle and directions you need to get the best photos) and how you wish to frame your photos

53 COMMIN MISTAKES Window sill included in photo

54 COMMON MISTAKES Strut included in photo

55 COMMON MISTAKES Photo out of focus

56 COMMON MISTAKES Too distant Too much sky

Completing the Mission

58 RETURN TO BASE  Ensure you have all your equipment, sketches, and logs before leaving the aircraft  Report to AOBD and turnover aircraft keys  Report to Planning Section Debriefing Officer

59 DEBRIEFING  Check in with Debriefing Officer  Tell how you did your job and what you saw  Transfer photos to the Planning Section computer –Verify that the pictures were successfully and completely transferred by viewing each image on a monitor before erasing the media card –Review the photos (and Photo Logs) or video, comparing them against mission objectives and requirements  Complete the back side of the CAPF 104