News & Information

ASOG 2022 Focus Area | Training & Education (#asotraining)

Posted By | ASOG Desk Editor

The non-profit “Airborne Sensor Operators Group” association, in cooperation with “Airborne Technologies GmbH”, will conduct an EO/IR Flight Operations Course following the Police Aviation Conference (PAvCON).

The purpose of this course is to provide affordable training to average individual non-rated aircrew members who would otherwise would not be able to obtain such training through other education programs or avenues.

ATTENDEES

This course is designed for beginning and active non-rated aircrew members (Airborne Sensor Operators, TFOs, etc.), Specialist & Technicians, and Supervisors associated with Aerial Work aviation operations (Public Safety, Défense, Commercial)

The course focuses on individuals who have general experience with basic flight operations and sensors and want to learn more about aerial EO/IR sensor operations and non-rated aircrew airmanship principles.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The EO/IR Flight Operations Course is two days of intensive training designed to increase operator airmanship skills and allow attendees to operate an airborne electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor system. In addition, attendees will be exposed to the equipment, tools, and techniques necessary to expand their operator knowledge.

The course will consist of classroom instruction and practical training, applying EO/IR capabilities to real-world scenarios. Attendees will:  

• Be made aware of the functions and operations of an airborne EO/IR sensor system.
• Participate in simulated EO/IR exercises linked to the practical use and operation of an EO/IR sensor system.
• Be made aware of basic non-rated aircrew airmanship principles and practices.

DATES:

June 9 - 10, 2022 | 09:00 – 17:00 Daily

LOCATION:

Airborne Technologies GmbH | Viktor-Lang-Straße 8 | 2700 Wiener Neustadt | Austria

REGISTRATION:

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Course Cost: €239

Please call +43 650 8736873 if you need assistance with registering. All attendees must be registered to participate.

NEARBY LODGING:

• Hilton Garden Inn | +43 2622 29400 | info@hgi-wn.at | Promenade 6. | 2700 Wiener Neustadt | Austria
• Hotel Garni Steinfeld | +43 2622 26907 | hotel-steinfeld.at/en/ | Nikolaus-August-Otto Straße 4 | 2700 Wiener Neustadt | Austria

ABOUT THE ORGANIZER - AIRBORNE SENSOR OPERATORS GROUP (ASOG)

The Airborne Sensor Operators Group (ASOG) is a non-profit global professional aircrew association based in Vienna, Austria (Registration No. 1843575903).

ASOG allows members to network, collaborate, and share information to shape the Airborne Sensor Operator (ASO) profession, individual careers, and the industries associated with aerial remote-sensing operations. As such, ASOG's focus areas are:

• Aviation Safety
• Aerial Remote-Sensing Operations
• Non-rated Aircrew Career Management
• Industry Support

ABOUT THE SPONSOR - AIRBORNE TECHNOLOGIES GMBH

Airborne Technologies consists of a team of experts in aviation and system engineering. This unique combination of know-how provides innovative and flexible solutions customized for governments, police, military, and many industry sectors. The companies' scope of services includes integrating any Airborne Remote Sensor into the customers' platform and the development of customized ISR Turnkey Solutions. Airborne Technologies is manufacturer-independent but close-partnered with a range of established and reliable sensor and aircraft manufacturers to guarantee the best results for their customers.

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: Aviation Safety (#aviationsafety)

Posted By: ASOG Safety Center

I'm sure you've heard the phrase "Never Assume." Unfortunately, when it comes to your aircraft and mission systems, this old phrase is still alive and correct – Check your Aircraft Configuration & Systems Multiple Times!

They say that there are two types of aircrew. "Those that have had an accident and those that will." Maybe that is not entirely true, but it has its possibilities (who is "they," anyway?).

If you operate as an ASO or non-rated crewmember on manned aircraft or with unmanned aircraft, check your aircraft & sensor systems multiple times during all phases of flight. For example, did the pilot put the landing gear down before landing, or if you fly an unmanned aircraft, do you have a good data link. Just because you turned on a system and it was good-to-go 30 minutes ago doesn't mean it's working or configured correctly now.

Many accident reports highlight that a crewmember was not regularly checking their aircraft configuration and mission systems. Don't be a statistic. Check your systems regularly and consistently, "just to be safe!"

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: Industry Support

Posted By: ASOG Desk Editor 

We're delighted to announce that Euramec NV is now an ASOG corporate supporter. In addition, Euramec's merged with Aerosimulators Group (already an ASOG Corporate Supporter) to expand its capabilities.

If you didn't know, Euramec delivers Flight Training Devices & Solutions across the spectrum of aviation – GA, Commercial, Defense, and Special Missions. Their goal is to be their customers' go-to designers and builders of world-class mission-focused flight training solutions.

If you want to learn more about Euramec NV and its products, check them out on the ASOG Corporate Supporter page (click their Logo). – OR - You can "Friend" Piet De Backer (ASOG Member) and send him a message via the ASOG e-mail service.

ASOG 2022 Focus Area - Career Management (#ASOjobopportunity)

Posted By - ASOG Career Center

ASOG Members,

We received this new ASO job from JP (ASOG Member). Specifically, the job relates to experienced Canadian Air Combat System Officer / Instructor. Specificily, the job consist of preparing and delivering training for Search and Rescue Operations using CC130H (Hercules) aircraft.  Services include on-site ground school instruction for CC130H-SAR aircrew as well as maintenance of all CC130H-SAR ground training material. Services shall take place at 426 (T) Squadron (Sqn), located in 8 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Ontario.

If you’re interested in the job, review the requirements on the job description ( ACSO Instructor | Career Opportunities | Calian ).

ASOG 2022 Focus Areas: Networking & Events

Posted By: Patrick Ryan

ASOG Members,

Without a doubt, the ASOG Meet-Up at the AERO Friedrichshafen 2022 Expo was a success. I’m sure the members that participated will say the same!

It was an excellent opportunity for current members to finally meet in person and talk about aviation, sensor operations, careers, and life in general, i.e., something never done before in so many ways! Additionally, the meet-up definitely put the ASO career field on the - so to speak - “Radar Scope” with many in the aviation community.

With that, as we grow as a professional non-rated global aircrew association, it’s important to remember the purpose of  ASOG. Aviation Safety (are you a professional aircrew member |ASO| or a passenger), fine-tuning your sensor operating skills and improving your career opportunities.

Before I end the “Post Flight Debrief,” I want to recognize several members, individuals, and ASOG Corporate Supporters that “Get” the importance of our career field and the purpose of ASOG and who made this ASOG Meet-Up possible!

First, I want to say Thank You to the following ASOG members who played a big part in making this event happen:

• Tanja Wimmer-Ryan
• Astrid Ayling
• Ian Sheppard
• Bettina Hainschink
• Frank Liemandt
• Roland Kreutzer

Additionally, I want to say Thank You to the following individuals who also played a big part in making our event mission ready:

• Gerhard Krill
• Frank & Thomas

Secondly, I want to give a big “Thank You” to our ASOG Corporate Support AV Buyer Europe Magazine (Buy & Sell Aircraft: Services & Intelligence | AvBuyer). Without their generous support in allowing us to share their booth and refreshments, our Meet-Up would not have been the same.

With that, I want to end the Post Flight Debrief with a reminder. ASOG is an international association. So if you want to organize an ASOG Meet-Up or social networking event in your corner of the world, let me know. We’ll work together and make it happen!

Until the next ASOG Meet-Up, stay safe and fly safe!

Best to All of You,

Patrick

Patrick Ryan | ASOG | President

ASOG 2022 Focus Areas: Network & Events

Posted By: ASOG Desk Editor

ASOG Members,

Day one and two of the ASOG Meet-Up at AERO Friedrichshafen Expo was outstanding. However, Day 2 is still not over. Happy Hour is about to start in one Hour. We’re definitely meeting the group’s goal of bringing professional ASOs (A2A) and Industry & ASOs together (B2A)….and gaining more members and corporate supporters. On top of that, we presented at the Expo regarding the ASO profession and the ASOG association.

If Day 3 is anything like Day 1 and 2, we’ve exceeded our ASOG goals and objectives for this ASO Meet Up event.

More to follow tomorrow!

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: Career Management ( #ASOjobopportunity)

Posted By: ASOG Career Center

ASOG Members,

We received this new ASO job from Will Taylor (ASOG Member & Sensor Operator Supervisor, PAL Aerospace). Specifically, the job relates to experienced Canadian Sensor Operators/TACCOs. In addition, the job is associated with PAL Aerospace Force Multiplier, a special-mission ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) platform that conducts on-demand patrol and surveillance duties.

If you’re interested in the job, review the requirements on the job description ( Sensor Operator – Force Multiplier ) (type in “Sensor Operator”

Also, if you want to network and know more about the job and PAL, reach out to your fellow ASOG member Will Taylor via the ASOG messaging service.

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: Career Management

Posted By: ASOG Career Center

ASOG Members,

We just received this new interesting job opportunity from Mike Hamilton (ASOG Member). Specifically, the job relates to Aerial Firefighting in California.

Coulson Aviation is looking for an enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and self-motivated Aerial Sensor Operator (ASO) to support CAUSA helicopter firefighting operations. To learn more, see the job description here, i.e., work schedule, pay scale, how to apply, etc.:

Remote Sensing Specialist 1 - Airborne Sensor Operator

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: News & Information (#airnavigation, #latlong)

Shared By: ASOG Desk Editor

Source: Bret Koebbe, Sporty's iPad Pilot News, 24 August 2016

As many of you know, a major part of our trade is using latitude and longitude as aviators and sensor operators in our everyday work. If you didn't know, there are several ways of noting or inputting Lat/Longs. Not knowing could be hazardous to your health.

This article from Sporty's iPad Pilot News provides an excellent and quick explanation of the basics of Lat/Longs and things to think about when it comes to coordinates and the systems (avionics, sensors, software, etc.) you work with.

 Understanding Latitude and Longitude in Aviation Apps

ASOG Article of the Month: April 2022

ASOG Author: Patrick Ryan

I had a chance this month to interview one of our long-running ASOG members – Charlie Locke. When I heard that Charlie, after 40 years, was parking his ASO job into the hanger, I thought it would be good to reach out to Charlie to do a quick “Post-Flight Debrief” of his ASO career. So with that, I connected with Charlie to learn more about his career, thoughts about the ASO profession, and the future.

Charlie, you said you’re retiring after 40 years of working. Could you give us a rundown of what kind of jobs and aircraft you flew over those years?

USAF – Sensor Operator AC-130 A & H model Gunships - Operation Just Cause and Operation Desert Storm & Shield. Those Gunships had the AAD-7 IR and required hooking up a LOX Cart to the aircraft to cool it down - which took 20 minutes to achieve. Also, there was no GPS, no moving maps, no nice floating north arrows, no grids on the screen, just a reticle. Instead, we used a whiskey compass and 1 to 50 charts, navigation by INS and Loran when available.

Airscan, Inc - Cessna 337, Tigershark UAV, and Hunter UAV – Kosovo, Bosnia, Africa, Iraq, and Afghanistan – Used ISS v-14, MX-15, SAR Radar.

What were some of the “Positives” and “Negatives” of being an ASO?

Positives – good pay, made some great friends.

Negatives - Away from home a lot, sometimes months at a time.

What was the most challenging or dangerous flight or flights you ever experienced, and what did you learn?

1991 Battle of Al Khafji – being shot at by 57mm, 85mm, dodging AAA, not fun - I was on Spectre 02 that night when Spectre 03 was shot down, and 14 of my friends died.

As a civilian contractor in Iraq, we were flying along the Syrian and Iraqi border looking for smugglers when we were shot at by Quad 23mm ZSU-23x4s  from the Syrians. Plus, an SA-7 from the Iraqi side.

In Afghanistan, while at FOB Ghazni in 2013 as a SAR Operator on UAVs doing counter IED missions, we were attacked by the Taliban. A VBIED blew out 75 FT of Hesco Barriers, followed by Taliban suicide fighters storming in.

What would you recommend to future ASOs and non-rated aircrew members regarding the type of training and education they should pursue?

Survival Training, practicing counter AAA and SAM evasion techniques, learning how to find targets with a compass and a map, and not relying on GPS or moving maps. Unfortunately, I have seen a lot of sensor operators who don’t know how to do that!

O.K. Charlie, before “Shutting Down the Engines,” will you miss flying?

I do miss it sometimes!

On behalf of the ASOG community, Charlie, I want to say super Congratulations on your retirement and wish you all the best with your future! You and I know many of the same people in our profession, and the word is that you were always the mainstay as an ASO! With that – don’t “punch out” of ASOG yet. We still need your experience & wisdom!

ASOG 2022 Focus Area | Networking

Posted By | ASOG Desk Editor

As many of you know, one of ASOG’s Focus Areas is supporting in-person professional networking opportunities. We have an excellent opportunity to do this at this year’s AERO Friedrichshafen Expo (Friedrichshafen, Germany: 27 - 30 April 2022).

One of our ASOG Corporate Supporters – GA Buyer Europe Magazine - is making space in their booth for ASOG members to gather and network. You can find the booth in Hall A4 at Stand 321.

There will be plenty of refreshments in their hospitality area, i.e., coffee & snacks available throughout the day and beer & wine later in the afternoon. So, if you need a break from walking or working at the show, remember to head over to Stand 321 and chill out with your fellow ASOGers!

Therefore, if you’re attending this year’s AERO Friedrichshafen trade show and want to connect with other members or learn more about ASOG, please let me know. We want to make sure we don’t miss you. You can do this by:

RSVP – pryan@aso-group.org  - or - go to the “ASOG Event Calendar" and click the “Going” button for AERO Friedrichshafen.

Again, this is an excellent opportunity for our community to rendezvous and network. I’m looking forward to meeting every member and the future member who can make it to the show. If you have any questions regarding this event or other ASOG topics, please let me know.

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: ASOG Article of the Month – March 2022

ASOG Author: Patrick Ryan

Pilots are not the only living organism on the flight deck affected by human frailties. “Task Fixation”—the cousin of “Task saturation”—is another common psychological concept that at best causes financial ruin and, at worst, takes many lives in aviation.

Fixation causes all cognitive capacity to focus on one task. If this task is something other than flying the aircraft or managing the big picture of the mission, then the potential for an accident or mission failure rises exponentially. Furthermore, fixation is not just a single pilot issue, but everyone on a flight crew (e.g., ASOs), as highlighted in many accident reports worldwide.

Based on many studies in the aviation safety community, the top-level fixation causes are equipment problems, abnormal situations, and task fixation.

Equipment Problems – Equipment problems range from malfunctioning gear indicator lights, mission sensors, or erroneous systems (e.g., the piss tube is frozen) as some of the things that cause crews to fixate.

Abnormal Situation – Abnormal situation is an out-of-the-ordinary event that disrupts the orderly sequence of expected events or focus. The crew often tends to focus all cognitive capacity on resolving the abnormality or non-routine event, even when there is “no” emergency, such as dealing with a non-critical piece of equipment, e.g., a personal smartphone not behaving correctly.

Task Fixation - The final primary cause of fixation is task fixation. In this case, the crew concentrates exclusively on a task that is secondary to basic aircraft control, such as navigating around terrain, resulting in the aircraft being flown into the ground, or keeping one eye out of the aircraft from multiple crew positions to avoid a mid-air collision.

To mitigate this human frailty, learn to recognize when you and your crew are getting too deep into something and not keeping up with your routine Aviate, Navigate & Communicate duties. For example, is the aircraft still flying the way it should be, are you keeping an eye on traffic, are you heading in the right direction, and are you maintaining routine communication discipline internally & externally of the aircraft.

So, if you don’t want to return home to your family or dispense with your savings, get “fixated” on “not getting fixated!”

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: News & Information

 Shared By: ASOG Desk Editor | Written By: Mike Chase, AvBuyer Magazine

If you’ve been in the manned aerial remote-sensing aircraft business (e.g., Aerial Surveying, C4ISR, Airborne Law Enforcement, Aerial Firefighting, etc.) for some time, you’ve probably been involved with selecting a new aircraft for your mission. Or, if you’re new to the ASO career field, you'll probably be asked at some point what fits best for your job and type of mission.

To help you provide a smart and serious answer here’s a good starting point to help you organize your professional thoughts and provide an intelligent recommendation. Mike Chase, a writer for AvBuyer magazine, runs a series of articles on comparing aircraft, i.e., turboprops, helicopters to jets.

Specifically, Mike highlights the pro & cons, prices, and values of the world’s top aircraft models, including aircraft manufactured by Beechcraft, Cessna, Airbus, Daher, Bell, Pilatus, and Piper.

So, after reviewing Mike’s articles, what is the best aircraft for your aerial remote-sensing mission and why?

Aircraft Comparisons

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: Career Management

Shared By: ASOG Career Center

We just got this job announcement from SpecTIR (Aaron Cumashot). Their Remote Sensing Division (SRS) is conducting a search for Airborne Hyperspectral Remote Sensing System Operator for a position starting 29 April 2022. Job location and pay scale is provided on the job description.

If you’re interested in the job, review the job announcement below and respond to SpecTIR. 

Remote Sensing Specialist 1 - Airborne Sensor Operator

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: News & Information (#Aerialmapping&surveying, #UAS, #LiDAR)

Shared By| Source: ASOG Desk Editor | Podtail – 8 Jul 2020, Harnessing Aerial – Drone Podcast (00:28:19)

Podcast - Aerial Mapping, Creating Surveying Partnerships, Drone LiDAR & More With Ryan McCutchen of Drone View Photography

What You Will Learn:

• (5:15) How Drone View Photography partners with civil engineering and smaller surveying firms to offer drone based LiDAR imaging services
• (5:30) What is LiDAR and how it works from an aerial perspective when compared to land surveying
• (7:10) Use cases for aerial LiDAR imaging
• (7:50-9:30) Strategy for overcoming the cost barrier to get into drone-based LiDAR
• (8:33) Typical costs of a LiDAR scanner
• (10:00) How you can effectively partner with other drone companies to acquire a shared LiDAR sensor and how to manage logistics to create a mutually beneficial relationship
• (11:15) Why renting a LiDAR scanner can be an effective strategy for getting into aerial LiDAR to start with
• (13:45) How to find & begin partnerships with surveying firms as a drone service provider and how to structure them to create a win win relationship for both sides
• (16:40) How you can overcome client objections related to cost of using LiDAR and demonstrating the ROI clients will receive if they invest
• (17:00) How a subcontractor model can be an effective way to support land surveyors with your aerial LiDAR services so you become a partner not a competitor
• (18:30) Typical turnaround times for LiDAR processing vs traditional timelines for land-based surveying
• (20:40) Tips for drone pilots and service providers that have multiple businesses and commitments to juggle their workload effectively
• (23:55) Why outsourcing aspects of your workflow and creating great partnerships can free up your bandwidth and open more doors for your drone service business.

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: Education (#Airborne Public Safety, #UAS, #Bestpractices)

Shared By| Source: ASOG Education Center | Youtube-DJI Enterprise, Sept 13, 2021

As part of ASOG’s mission to promote standards and best practices for all non-rated/ASO crewmembers in the commercial, public safety and defense sectors, here’s a great airborne law enforcement video highlighting best practices regarding drone (UAS) law enforcement operations.

If you didn’t know, The Law Enforcement Drone Association (LEDA) is an organization formed by law enforcement officers with a passion for bringing drones into the public safety sector for good. They are focused on training with regional law enforcement UAS Teams, and agencies with a desire to start UAS programs.

In this webinar, attendees will have the chance to learn from specific real scenarios experienced by the panellists, how drones were deployed, and the lessons learned. Additionally, the panellists will guide the attendees on best practices and frameworks for setting UAS Programs for law enforcement agencies.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Intro to LEDA and Speakers
• 08:00 Hit & Run Drone Deployment Success Case
• 15:30 Incident Debrief
• 23:00 Why was LEDA created?
• 27:30 UAS Program Goals
• 32:10 Hurdles & Challenges to Overcome
• 42:50 Logs & Documentation
• 47:40 Training
• 50:50 Justify your UAS Program
• 55:30 How to join LEDA?
• 1:00:00 Q&A

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: News & Information

Shared By: Chris Pocock

One of the most famous airborne sensing platform is the U-2 Dragon Lady. Outside the mainstream news, the U-2 is still very active and unique in its operation. Chris Pocock thought it would be a great idea to share current news about the U-2 program with the ASOG community. If you didn’t know, Chris is probably the number one expert on the U-2. Chris has written several books and published “The Dragon Lady Today.”

Suppose you’re like me regarding staying up-to-speed to all things Aerial Remote Sensing, i.e., commercial, public safety & defense; receiving Chris’s newsletter is a great source of professional information. So with that, enjoy Chris’s latest post.

Patrick Ryan | Acting ASOG Desk Editor

“INVISIBLE” U-2 PLAYS ITS PART IN UKRAINE SURVEILLANCE

ASOG Article of the Month: February 2022

ASOG Author: Patrick Ryan

As the acting ASOG Desk Editor, I routinely scan the internet for news & information that benefits you, the Airborne Sensor Operator professional members. The other day as I was jumping around to different sites, I came across a Q & A discussion on Reddit that I thought was very relevant to many members and future operators, i.e., what are the in's & out's of ditching your desk job for the cockpit?

With that, below is the discussion. Garret_TheFerret posted the question (a future ASO looking for information), and TheAbdBoy (an ASO manager at an Aerial Surveying company in Canada) providing very good career management information.

So, enjoy the discussion and if you're like TheFerret, I hope it helps you with your career choice. Also, for the veteran civil ASOs in the group, if you have something to add, please call it out. Remember, like with so many other professional career fields - networking, mentoring & cross-talking makes our profession stronger + safe and sound.  

Post: Garrett_TheFerret, 8 years ago

Hey guys, I came across a local job posting for an aerial survey observer/navigator, and I'm really interested in taking it. I'm one of those guys who spent most of his teen years playing Flight Sim and I've taken a handful of lessons, but I haven't been able to make the financial leap into getting my license yet. I think this may be a great opportunity to get my foot in the door, but I just have a few questions for guys who are familiar with the business.

What's the typical pay?

Do most guys stick around for awhile? I understand pilots tend to use this as an hour building gig before moving on, but what about operators? Why/why not?

The description says I would be operating LIDAR and photogrammetry equipment; what should I learn about this tech before I interview? I obviously have no experience with it but I do want to know what I'm getting into before I speak with these guys.

What else should I know before I ditch my desk job to try this? I want to know what the day to day life is like and whether it would be a wise career choice for someone like me, who aspires to fly professionally someday but currently has zero experience.

Thanks in advance for your guys' input!

Post: TheAbdBoy, 8 yr. Ago

I'm breaking my comment-ginity for you, because I'm currently in the process of hiring and training Sensor Operators at the aerial surveying company I work for in Alberta. I also occasionally jump in the plane and operate the equipment every once in a while.

Starting pay is between $18.30CAD/hour - $21.60CAD/hour

Pilots do not really stick around, they build their hours and then move onto bigger planes. We also don't fly in the winter because snow tends to ruin photos and LIDAR data, so the pilots who want to continue to fly in the winter usually end up working somewhere else. The sensor operators we hire are Geomatics Engineering Technologist (Geospatial Technologists in the US) and they like to stick around because we offer both field and office work related to their schooling. During our flying season they'll be operating the equipment, and in the winter, they'll be working on the data they collected. The sensor operators that leave are typically the people we hired that were overqualified for the job and they moved onto things that were better for them.

For our company, we hire Geomatics Engineering Technologists or people with a similar background. These people will have gone through a two-year diploma program, and some even have gone through a four-year engineering program. Depending on the company, you will probably need a diploma or experience in a geospatial related field to be considered. The equipment can require a bit of extensive knowledge on how they work. I personally think understanding the theory behind aerial survey flight plans is critical, because it will help you make some decisions in the air when ATC does not let you fly what you originally planned. It will also help you make decisions about navigation tolerances when the pilot is flying lines in turbulence. You can find the basics on aerial survey flight planning through Google.

The weather determines when you fly and how long you are working for. Sometimes you'll be away from home for a long time and feel overworked. Expect to be working on weekends and holidays. The sun determines how long your days are and in the summer, and the days can be long (at least when you do photo surveying, you can't take photos or fly around mountains in the dark). The good news is that you typically fly when it's SKC. The best part about it is being able to explore your country. I got to travel all over Canada, and on some bad photo weather days I got to do some fun things, such as kayaking in the mountains. If you want to do sensor operating as a career, I recommend getting a Geomatics Technology diploma first. If you want to fly for a career, you should finish your flight training. I've done over 500 hours of sensor operation and none of that counts towards my PPL!

Just to add a few things, having a interest in aviation for this job is a great asset! Most sensor operators do not understand the aviation side of aerial surveying, which can be quite frustrating at times because they don't understand the things pilots can't do (e.g. fly in icing conditions, fly into CYR airspace without permission, etc.). Working as a sensor operator in the plane also helps a lot as a student pilot. I'm currently working on my PPL, and I noticed I had slight advantages over other students. Working as a sensor operator in the plane allowed me to listen to the radio, become familiar with my home airspace, and become familiar with procedures with different airports and airspaces.

If you have any more questions about aerial surveying, feel free to ask me. I'm also an absolute nerd when it comes to the geomatics industry, so feel free to ask me about that too.

Posted: Garrett_TheFerret, 8 yr. Ago

Thank you very much for your reply. My google searches on the subject have turned up a ton of input from pilots, so it's great to hear your perspective on the industry. I want to ask you more questions so I'll be PMing you soon.

Original Link: Aerial Survey Operators/Observers

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: News & Information

Shared By: Astrid Ayling

Astrid shared this article from the Feb 2022 GA Buyer Magazine “Aerial Work” section, i.e., the magazine she edits. She thought her fellow ASOG members and others would find it informative since it’s one of the “focus points” of the ASO profession.

Discover the Image Makers of Aerial Work Aviation

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: Career Management

Shared By: ASOG Career Center

We just got this job announcement from GeoDigital (Mary Sternot). They’re looking for 3 x ASOs to support their Data Acquisition projects.

If you’re interested in the job, review the job announcement below and respond to GeoDigital.

3 x Airborne Sensor Operator Positions