News & Information

ASOG 2022 Focus Area | Industry Support

Posted By |ASOG Desk Editor

We're ecstatic to announce that "AvPay – The Aviation Market Place & Directory" is now an ASOG corporate supporter. It's fantastic to see the aviation community reach out to our non-profit aircrew association and lend a hand to the shadow crewmembers of aviation. Besides AvPay becoming a supporter, they are adding us to their amazing webpage under "Aviation Charities Directory."

If you didn't know, AvPay is an Aviation Marketplace & Directory that lets companies present their brand, products & services in front of the market while empowering consumers by allowing them to search and find the company, product, or service they require.

To learn more about AvPay and its services, check them out on the ASOG Corporate Supporter page (click their Logo).

ASOG 2022 Focus Area | News & Information, Networking

Posted By | ASOG Desk Editor

Members in the Picture | Upper Left Image - Hector Estevez Pomar (CENTUM research & technology), Scott Hillman (IMSAR) . Upper Right Image - Michael Estigoy (SkyIMD), Patrick Ryan (ASOG President)

Another first for our growing ASOG association and our mission of providing the means to network around the globe, we conducted our first North American ASOG networking “Meet-Up” last week at this year’s Airborne Public Safety Association Conference (APSCON) held in Reno, Nevada.

It was a fantastic opportunity and venue for a good number of ASOG members to meet informally and connect in person, focusing on aircrew roles, sensor operations, and work-related opportunities.

If you’re interested in participating in an ASOG Meet-Up, keep an eye out for future announcements, or if you want to conduct your own ASOG Meet-Up, the ASOG staff will help you organize it and get the word out. Just PM us at info@aso-group.org.

Speaking of that, our next ASOG Meet-Up is planned for 8 November 2022 at the EUROPEAN ROTORS Conference & Trade Show in Cologne, Germany. It will be an excellent opportunity for ASOs and other aircrew members from across the spectrum of Aerial Work aviation sectors (commercial, public safety & defense) to meet, network, and learn something new.

Good day all out there and safe landing...

I am very curious, given the high cost of airborne sensors and the rapid and regular change in technological advancement of these sensors, how many sensors are out there and dormant? Many years ago when I joined the industry I learned operating from the film analogue cameras, to mentio a few, we had Wild Heerbrugg RC10's both 152 and wide angle 80mm Lenses. We also had the Zeiss RMK A. All these were soon replaced by the famous and more advanced RMK TOP 15 and within two or three years the Wild nad RMK A were gathering dust on the shelves, two years later they were donated to the South African Air Force Museum section of Aerial photography. 

It was not very long after before we were introduced to the new digital age of the ZI/Imaging's DMC family and the Vexcel Ultracam D and the glorious years of the RMK TOP 15 were over and it was forgotten. From there on, the Digital Aerial sensors has evolved with such speed that I sometimes sit and wonder what happened to all those pieces of historical artistic masterpieces which have paved the way to the current breed of highly technological automatic sensors. Like honestly, the tech advancement in the current breed of sensors have amost reduced us to system monitors than operators. Make no mistake, the amount of work and merticulousness it requires in current mission planning and preparation for a succesful mission gives the same satisfaction one would have from manually obtaining 60% forward overlap during uncostant aircraft ground speed and altitude with and analogue.

And I am grateful for the evolution and progress we have made but, i would like to know if there is still some analogues or the first eneration of digital cams gathering dust in some office out there in the world and what do you think its final ending will be. Do you think it could still take one more flight before it finaly rests? Similarly to Lidar systems. I remeber one year after the arrival of Riegl 480i we had almost forgotten of our once glorius Optech ALTM system and years after the 780i we almost forgot that the 680i ever existed, let alone the 480i

What systems do you have shelved? I would just love to know...

One of the biggest problems that search and rescue teams have is identifying a target in difficult terrain. Whether that's out in an open space or an urban situation, the longer it takes to locate a target, the lower the chances of survival.

This problem is compounded for aerial support teams when the distinction between an individual and their surrounding terrain can become almost non-existent. The human eye is exceptional at spotting detail, but to help SAR teams become more effective, technology has the edge, especially Automatic Target Detection systems.

Automatic Target Detection

Using Automatic Target Detection from an airborne platform has a host of advantages. Primarily, the information is uploaded to the video stream in real-time, allowing the ATD technology to identify a target and instantly relay the location to the operator.

Because ATD technology has been calibrated to identify specific objects (such as a vehicle or pedestrian), it also filters out any background ‘noise’ that may pollute the identification process far more effectively than a human can.

For example, if a victim is wearing light-coloured clothing in an environment with a lot of similarly coloured detritus, ATD technology will be able to extrapolate the individual from their surroundings far more quickly. While it may be difficult for a human operator to identify the individual amongst the background noise, ATD finds it easy to do so, minimising missed sightings even from the air.

Target georeferencing

One of the critical components of ATD is target georeferencing. Once the software identifies a target, it immediately allocates a georeferencing point, which can be transferred to SAR groups on the ground. Using this technology, the aerial team can coordinate the ground response units to zone in on the target more effectively. This reduces response time which, in a life-or-death situation, is vital.

User fatigue

Another aspect of SAR that automatic target recognition can assist with is user fatigue. During long-duration search and rescue operations, user fatigue can dramatically reduce the ability of a human operator to effectively scan search areas continuously. A study by Cornell University[1] found that the difference between the human eye detecting a target and an ATD system was a matter of a few seconds initially. But over a prolonged period, the accuracy of the human operator waivered, whereas the ATD system consistently identified and pinpointed targets in under 10 seconds.

The use of synthetic data generation and augmentation also renders the information not only more accessible but exceptionally accurate, regardless of the amount of time spent in the air. By transposing it onto streaming video, a real-time search map can be produced that has fewer instances of false-positive sightings, which can be an issue with human operators.

Urban SAR

With open spaces such as mountainsides, the issue facing SAR teams is the sheer expanse that needs to be covered. However, for search and rescue in an urban environment, the problems are more focused on the number of potential targets that could confuse any ATD system.

However, in recent years automatic target detection tools have become more refined and more capable of dealing with multiple small targets in close proximity to one another. Systems such as OpenSIGHT can identify a higher number of small targets and georeference each one instantly. This allows a trained operator to focus on targets of interest and eliminate background noise that has no relevance to the operation. In an urban SAR operation, this is particularly important. If the target is known, a set of parameters can be programmed into the system that 'fine-tunes' the target identification process even further.

A faster, better response

In Search and Rescue, time is of the essence. The longer it takes to find a target, the greater the chance of serious physical harm or even death. Automatic Target Detection enhances the capabilities of airborne SAR units and minimises the possibility of human error. It reduces search time by capturing single or even multiple targets in any terrain.

Even hard-to-spot targets can be more easily identified, and by the use of target georeferencing, their exact location can then be relayed to ground teams. The result is greater success in search and rescue operations, regardless of the terrain.

👉 DISCOVER OUT MORE #OPENSIGHT-atr

ASOG 2022 Focus Area | Industry Support

Posted By |ASOG Desk Editor

We're thrilled to announce that OFIL Systems is now an ASOG corporate supporter. It's fantastic to see special sensor OEMs like OFIL recognize the importance of the Airborne Sensor Operator profession and the mission of the ASOG association. 

If you didn't know, OFIL develops and  manufactures UV Bi-spectral optical and digital inspection systems with embedded proprietary patented Solar Blind technology. OFIL aims to provide precise solutions for science, industry, and environmental wellness. OFIL owns the brand name DayCor® which stands for Daytime Corona detection. 

To learn more about OFIL and its products, check them out on the ASOG Corporate Supporter page (click their Logo). – OR - You can PM Peter Schaffer (ASOG Member) and send him a message via the ASOG e-mail service.

ASOG 2022 Focus Area | News & Information

Posted By | ASOG Safety Center

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Benjamin Franklin

Hey, Airborne Sensor Operator, do you have the will to survive? As Airborne Sensors Operators (ASO), our work environment is often in remote areas, over every type of terrain, and during every season around the world. So if an aircrew makes a forced landing, or if an sUAS/RPA ground surveying crew has a vehicle problem in a harsh situation or gets lost on a job in a very remote location, they need to know the basic skills to stay alive and safe until rescue comes.

Up to this period, military ASOs and a large percentage of the public Safety sector ASOs (Law Enforcement, SAR, First Responders, etc.) have received Aircrew Survival Training, be it ground (Summer/Winter) or water survival. However, many on the civilian or commercial side of the ASO community have not.

The point of this post is to provide “food for thought” for those civil or commercial Airborne Sensor Operators. They routinely are in a position to be in “harm’s way” when flying in an aircraft or traversing remote terrain with their sUAS/RPAs. Additionally, because many governments and companies don’t require ASOs to obtain Aircrew Survival Training, they run a very high risk of “not making it” if they have a “bad day at the office!”

For those commercial ASOs who had training when they were in the military or received private training many years ago, a refresher course or a personal “Safety Stand-down Day” to review the basics to knock the rust off would recalibrate your skills. Remember, ”if you don’t use it, you lose it!” 

For those commercial ASOs who have never thought of this area of their professional ASO development kit, the essential tracks one can take to prepare better for a “bad day at the office” are:

Track 1 (Self-Study):

A few of the larger civil aviation organizations worldwide and some nongovernment organizations provide free information, courses, or online programs regarding surviving after a forced landing or in a wilderness survival situation. Additionally, you can find open-source training products and videos on the internet. Overall, even though this information is worded to manned aircraft pilots, as you know, the same applies to unmanned aircrew members and all manned aircraft non-pilot crewmembers. Below is just a sample of sources available:

• AOPA Survival Safety
• FAA Basic Survival Training
• Aircrew Survival Course | HMRS (capranger.org)

Track 2 (Training Course):

The second track is taking a course for a fee, which should consist of classroom and field exercises. There are many companies around the world which provide such services and the type of training varies. In general, these programs typically provide participants with the skills and knowledge to:

• Prepare for an emergency (Gear/kits, Contingency Planning, etc.)
• React to a forced landing (land/water-based) or ground-event emergency
• Care for themselves in a survival situation
• Utilize available survival equipment
• Participate to the maximum extent in their rescue.

To sum it up, If you’re a professional ASO who works sensors onboard an aircraft or off-board a UAS/RPA in remote locations but have no training, are you prepared to handle or, better yet, have the “Will to Survive” a life-threatening event? Again, “Food for Thought”!

ASOG 2022 Focus Area | Industry Support

Posted By |ASOG Desk Editor

We're pleased to announce that QinetiQ Canada is now an ASOG corporate supporter. It's great to see large corporations like QinetiQ recognize the importance of the Airborne Sensor Operator profession and the mission of the ASOG association. 

If you didn't know, QinetiQ Canada delivers a growing range of mission-led solutions to Canadian Defence and Security organizations. Focusing on Target and Surveillance Systems, Tests, Evaluation, Training, and Mission Readiness, their highly engaged teams work with customers throughout the entire life cycle of a project to ensure they are capable and mission ready. From their primary locations in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and Ottawa, Ontario, they deploy across Canada to produce results leveraging the brightest minds, innovative technology, and decades of customer-centric service delivery.

To learn more about QinetiQ Canada and its services, check them out on the ASOG Corporate Supporter page ASOG Corporate Supporters (click their Logo). – OR - You can PM Gary Micklethwaite (ASOG Member) and send him a message via the ASOG e-mail service.

ASOG 2022 Focus Area | News & Information, Career Management

Shared By | ASOG Career Center

If you’re interested in serving your community and flying simultaneously, read this article. The article focuses on the Police Aviation Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) career field. It provides a good view of the roles & responsibilities of a TFO, plus what a typical day looks like for this officer and aviator.

If you’re an ASOG member and want to learn more about this career field, reach out to one of our ASOG TFO members.

A day in the life of a Tactical Flight Officer  

myPolice Queensland Police News | May 16, 2016 @ 9:35am

ASOG Article of the Month | June 2022

ASOG Author | Patrick Ryan

Many times, I get asked why I started the ASOG association. There are many reasons for people to do this type of innovative social effort to bring professional people & organizations together for a public reason. Making an opportunity to advance one’s professional career to put food on the table is one of them. Creating an environment to share the opportunity to make this occur is another. Having such a place like ASOG allows this to happen!

Around 2013, I was the Program Manager of an Aerial Remote-Sensing project in Africa. This project was rapidly expanding, i.e., we quickly needed another aircraft and crew to support it. While going through the recruitment process, I had difficulty finding qualified Airborne Sensor Operators. At the time, I thought I would have a better chance of finding suitable operators if I contacted an Airborne Sensor Operator association. However, as I was searching, both over the internet and through my own professional ASO network, it hit me that no association focused on the non-rated sensor operators existed, i.e., a place to network, learn, or find the next job!

So why do I do this? I do it for myself and the others in and around the ASO profession. I do it for these reasons:

• Continuing my education & learning
• Searching for Job or business prospects
• Mentoring and instructing others
• Expanding my Network
• Access to professional resources
• Obtaining new perspectives & professional Viewpoints
• Certification assistance
• Connecting with like-minded professionals

Since developing the ASOG association, I can genuinely say the above reasons or benefits have happened to me. My learning curve regarding learning something new has taken off. Plus, my professional network has expanded tenfold. I’ve also been offered several jobs because of my activity with ASOG.

So, that is why I started ASOG. I started for myself and others, i.e., providing a professional place for new or active aircrew members to develop professionally. Plus, it’s a place for those interested or part of the ASO professional eco-system, e.g., educators, engineers, managers, pilots, supervisors, manufacturers, integrators, etc. The bottom line is that the more robust ASOG becomes, the benefits and rewards intensify for everyone.

With that, if you want to belong with like-minded professionals and professionally develop, you are welcome to join us!

ASOG 2022 Focus Area | News & Information

Shared By | GA Buyer Europe, 10th June 2022

Summarized Through the Life Story of this Veteran Aerial Survey Navigator & Sensor Operator. Lyndon York Has "Been There, Seen It, Done It!"

It's always great to share information about an ASOG member and fellow aircrew member. In this case, it's Lyndon York. GA Buyer Europe just published an article about Lyndon's long career as an aerial surveying navigator & sensor operator. Because Lyndon has "been there, seen it, done that" for many years, the article also highlights the history of the late 20th century Aerial Surveying & Mapping sector and the unique aircraft that made it happen.

---Break, Break---

Lyndon, mark your calendar when we have an ASOG Meet-Up in the London area! I'm sure you have more to share with the group!

The History of Aerial Surveying

ASOG 2022 Focus Area | Education & Training

Posted By | ASOG Desk Editor

We’re proud to announce the Airborne Sensor Operators Group aircrew association completed its first-ever training event. Participants worldwide came together to learn something new and network with fellow aircrew members from across the spectrum of the commercial, public safety, and defense flying sectors. In this case, it was at the ASOG EO/IR Flight Operations course. In a series of presentations, simulator exercises, and roundtable discussions, attendees learned about operating an aerial Electro-Optical/InfraRed (EO/IR) sensor system and non-rated aircrew best practices. The ASOG EO/IR Flight Operation course took place at the Airborne Technologies facility in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, 9-10 June 2022.

The ASOG EO/IR Flight Operations course was sponsored by Airborne Technologies GmbH, who contributed their staff, simulator, and facilities to ensure the course was a success. Senior Airborne Technologies Instructor David Clarke spent the first training day concentrated on the basic operating principles of an EO/IR system and how to apply them to real-world situations using recorded videos, followed by hands-on simulator exercises on day two. 

Other highlights of the 2-day course included a live demonstration of a simulated search & rescue operation using the ARTEMIS mobile phone locator system and SHOT OVER imagery unit. Plus, a tour of Airborne Technologies facilities with an educational emphasis on how to turn a general aviation airplane into a certified special mission aircraft.

In his introduction, Patrick Ryan, ASOG President, opened the course and highlighted the importance of the ASOG Association and the need for training & education in the continuous evolution of the ASO profession. He also emphasized the Association’s focus on aviation safety, improving aerial sensing operations, and supporting non-rated aircrew career opportunities. Additionally, Patrick stressed the need for the Association to work closely with industry, which is part of the ASO eco-system, that provides the platforms & systems ASOs work with or utilize Airborne Sensor Operators in their everyday operations. 

Patrick says, “Because of the separation from COVID in the last few years, it was great to realize once again how much personal contact boosts the positive effect of networking and learning something new as a group.” Moreover, “I want to thank everyone involved in this event. By coming together as a professional association and community, we took a big step in moving forward as a non-profit aircrew association with a defined set of objectives and the activities required to achieve them.”

Scheduled Future ASOG Events

• ASOG Conference & Networking Event: EUROPEAN ROTOR 2022 - VTOL show and Safety Conference, Sponsored by EUROPEAN ROTOR (More information to follow)

Tentative Future ASOG Events

• ASOG Training Event: Paris, France, Sponsored by Lumensea
• ASOG Training Event: Kranj, Slovenia, Sponsored by Flycom Technologies d.o.o.

With just over one week to go until the ASOG EO/IR Flight Operation Course, i.e., on Final Approach. We want to remind you that there is still time to join us.

We currently have a great mix of attendees (members and non-members) registered from North America, Europe, and Africa who want to expand their sensor and flight operations knowledge. Plus, networking with fellow professionals for further career advancement.

Also, If you didn't know, the Police Aviation Conference (PAvCON) is taking place the same week and hanger as the ASOG course, i.e., back-to-back one another :

• PAvCON (6-8 Jun)
• ASOG EO/IR Flight Operations Course (9-10 Jun)

Having two events in the same place and the same week is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional development. Plus, it streamlines your travel efforts.

We don’t want you to miss out - Register now to secure your place!

With that, if you have any questions or need more information regarding the course, please e-mail info@aso-group.org.

We're looking forward to having you join us!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

ASOG Article of the Month | May 2022

ASOG Author | Patrick Ryan

Last week (20 June 2022), the following poll question was posted in the ASOG LinkedIn group:

"Do you favor an internationally recognized standardized basic civil certification for Airborne Sensor Operators (ASO)?"

The result was:

• 67% "Yes"
• 28% "No"
• 6% "Other" (sadly to say with no comments)

Just to let you know, I was one of the folks who voted "Yes." Here's my reasoning for clicking the "Yes" button.

Obtaining a professional internationally recognized civil ASO certification (which does not exist today…only in individual uniform services or one-off countries like Australia) would have numerous pros and almost no cons. The top two pros on my list are improving the aviation safety awareness of non-rated aircrew members and improving aerial remote-sensing operations.  

Acquiring an ASO certification would be a designation voluntarily earned by ASOs that identify they have demonstrated a standard level of experience, skills, and expertise. This certification would be issued to individuals by a professional society or association (hint, hint…ASOG) that has a certifying body. In the long run, investing time, money, and energy to obtain this certification would only help and not hurt an individual ASO or the organizations they work for.

In addition, I think the following are additional benefits of having an ASO certification program and why ASOs should obtain one: 

• Competitive Advantage - When you have a certification, you'll be one step ahead of many others in your career field. You become more preferred than other candidates for a job because it shows that you are committed to improving yourself and excelling in your profession.
• Improving Productivity - Gaining a certification requires taking professional courses, i.e., learning something new or what is trending. With this, the knowledge you get will transfer to your coworkers and, in turn, affect your organization's productivity.
• Pay Increase - Employers are willing and ready to pay their employees better salaries, i.e., if they have the required skills and knowledge and are professionally certified.
• Mitigates Lagging Behind - Instead of complaining about how things are changing so fast and how much you are lagging regarding trends in your ASO sector, getting professional certifications and keeping it current will help you update your skills

Finally, I believe it improves your professional network. Without a doubt, networking is a critical instrument in your career management "flight bag." Going through a certification program allows you to expand your network by engaging both fellow participants and the certifying body itself.

Additionally, when it comes to the workplace, it also increases the brand of a company or organization when they can reference their crews are certified, i.e., especially in the eyes of competitors and clients alike.

To sum it all up and the reason I clicked "Yes," you would agree with me that the benefits of getting an internationally recognized civil ASO Certification would be invaluable and cannot be overemphasized. Or, do you disagree, kind of disagree, somewhat agree? …O.K., enough, Patrick, they get the point.

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!