Instruction manual

127
Basic steps:
a. Fly the “ID Pass” to verify the target and note its coordinates. Examine the
target and its surroundings, and decide how to frame your photos.
Use this opportunity to determine if your altitude will allow you to frame the
entire target area in one shot. Climb or descend as necessary to determine
the correct altitude.
Note: You may be tempted to turn the camera vertically in order to get the
target area in one photo – don’t. This type of shot often truncates the ‘far’
side of the photo (i.e., it looks as if it’s thinning or “falling away” in the finished
photo). Instead, climb higher so you can take the photo while holding the
camera normally (horizontally).
b. Note the direction that will result in the best shot. In this type of imaging sortie
you may only need a good shot from one direction (as opposed to taking
photos from at least four cardinal points in the circling or 4-square pattern).
c. Once you’ve established the correct altitude and direction of flight, the pilot
will maneuver onto the desired heading at least one mile away and stabilize
the aircraft at approximately 75 knots (never below the aircraft’s published
best angle of climb speed Vx) with 10° flaps.
Note: Slowing down and putting in 10° of flaps allows for better control of the
aircraft when the pilot begins banking for the photo run. This minimizes the
amount of bank necessary to give the AP an overhead view of the target, and
makes it easier to put in up to full opposite rudder in order to maintain heading
while banking. [If you are shooting out of the front right-side window and have
it open, this speed and flap setting may cause the window to partially close.
Have the back-seat crewmember hold the window open in this situation.]
d. As you approach the target, the AP will inform the pilot to get into position.
The pilot will then put in approximately 10° bank and hold opposite rudder to
maintain the heading. The AP will continuously communicate with the pilot to
ensure the desired heading and angle to the target.
Note: The pilot may notice that she is losing some altitude while banking for
the photo run. The altitude loss should be minimal for the time it takes to get
the shot, so no effort need be made to maintain altitude during this time.
e. Once the AP takes the shot, inform the pilot so that she can return to normal
flight attitude. The AP will then review the results to see if another run is
required.