Instruction manual

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11. Preparing for an Imaging
Sortie
The key to a successful imaging mission is preparation, planning, patience and
practice!
Airborne Photographers must know how to prepare for an imaging (photo or video)
sortie.
The great majority of our imaging missions are “fly back” missions, where we take
photos or video, return to base, and then transmit the photos/video to our customer.
Missions where we take photos and transmit them from the aircraft (the older Slow
Scan and the new Satellite Digital Imaging systems) require specialized equipment
and training. However, the way we plan and take the photos is the same whether it is
a fly back or SDIS mission.
Unique aspects of SDIS missions are discussed in a separate attachment.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Discuss the basic difference between a “fly back” and SDIS mission.
2. Discuss the importance of determining exactly what a customer expects
and needs from a particular imaging mission.
Using the Customer Imaging Request Checklist, discuss the importance
of determining exactly what a customer expects and needs from a
particular imaging mission. [AP-O-004]
3. Concerning an aircrew briefing for an imaging mission, discuss:
[AP-O-004]
a. Why it is important to be aware of the information necessary to
complete a successful mission, just as mission staff.
b. Crewmember responsibilities during each phase of the flight.
c. Factors to consider when determining sortie duration, including
rules of thumb for the time it takes to assess the target, fly
imaging patterns, review photos and re-shoot one photo.
Chapter
11