ASOG 2022 Focus Area: News & Information

Shared By: George DeCock

Hey everyone, this might be of interest to some of you. Below is an article that compares the new 8K video format against the present 4K – and puts the 8K ‘advantages’ in perspective based on viewing the video on the ground.  For airborne operations these ground conditions don’t apply (very large screen size, operator-to-screen distance, etc),  except for the ability to have greater digital zoom.  But for post-mission analysis, via 8K recording or air-ground RF transmission, this may open up some more ‘visibility’ into target images. (GIZMODO, By Daniel Kolitz, 3 Jan 2022)

Can You Really Tell the Difference Between 4K and 8K?

ASOG Article of the Month: January 2022

ASOG Author: Patrick Ryan

More than a Pilot, you are the person expected (or should be expected) on a flight crew to know how the invisible and visible world of energy affects a wide range of things in a single flight or mission, i.e., sensor operations, data links, and even inflight smartphone usage. So, where are you on the map of understanding the basics of the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

Without saying, the word "Airborne Sensor Operator" projects you're the high-tech expert to others. But, especially when it comes to collection systems and aspects of what is going on in your particular Aerial Work flight operation. If you didn't perceive this sense, you need to "pickup your game" to help improve your working knowledge and aerial collection efforts.

So with that, what is the electromagnetic spectrum and its importance to you as an ASO?

ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM 101

At its core, The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the scale of all types of EM radiation. Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes – the visible light that comes from a lamp in your house and the radio waves that come from a radio station are two types of electromagnetic radiation. The other kinds of EM radiation that make up the electromagnetic spectrum are microwaves, infrared light, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma-rays. (NASA CILab, 2016)

Electromagnetic radiation can be described as a stream of mass-less particles, called photons, each traveling in a wave-like pattern at the speed of light. Each photon contains a certain amount of energy. The different types of radiation are defined by the amount of energy found in the photons. For example, radio waves have photons with low energies, and microwave photons have a little more energy than radio waves, infrared photons have still more, then visible, ultraviolet, X-rays, and, the most energetic of all, gamma-rays. (NASA GSFC, 2013)

WHY SHOULD YOU LEARN ABOUT THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM?

ASOs who choose to learn about the electromagnetic spectrum not only gain the skills needed to understand complex sensors and systems (e.g., EO/IR, LiDAR, SAR, etc.) but come away with strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, as well as technical understanding necessary to succeed in the ASO world. In fact, having a basic understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum can be helpful for professionals in all industries, not just in aviation and remote-sensing.

ADVANTAGES OF LEARNING ABOUT THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

Here's a look at several advantages of learning about the electromagnetic spectrum and how it can benefit your aerial remote sensing organization, flight crew, and career:

• You'll Expand Your Vocabulary - Whether it's wavelength, hertz, or reflection, learning about the electromagnetic spectrum will give you confidence in fundamental terms needed to understand how systems operate and their relationship to the environment. Even if you don't use these words often in your current role, learning about these spectrum terms and principles will give you a better understanding of operational dynamics as a whole and how they apply to your work. Plus, depending on where you work, it will help you better communicate with clients, supervisors, and other co-workers.
• You'll Put New Knowledge into Practice - Electromagnetic spectrum isn't just learning a fancy set of terms and numbers; it's actually using them to understand, explain or manage the electronic sensors and systems you operate. When you understand this science, you can use principles and frameworks to assess situations and make a variety of operational decisions, e.g., whether to operate a LiDAR system in high sun angles and reflection conditions or the best ways to maximize an EO/IR sensor during certain kinds of conditions and environments.
• You'll Improve Your Career Prospects – Learning about the electromagnetic spectrum can improve your employability in various aerial remote sensing industry sectors. For example, here are a few job requirements taken from several different job posting which requires a candidate to have a good or excellent understanding of the spectrum:
  • “Experience and understanding of Remote Sensing”
  • “In-aircraft equipment alignment, calibration, and testing”
  • “Operating airborne LiDAR, digital imaging systems, and GPS instruments”
  • “Monitor the quality of GPS, image data performance”
  • “Routine maintenance and troubleshooting of laser sensor, GPS equipment, and other in-flight equipment”

OPTIONS FOR STUDYING THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

There are many routes available for those looking to learn about the electromagnetic spectrum. Depending on your personal and professional goals, your current stage in life, and other important factors, you can learn about the spectrum from the comfort of your smartphone to taking a course at a local college.

So, if you are itching to get started to learn or just want to refresh yourself on the basics of the electromagnetic spectrum, here are a few sources that I think are perfect for the job:

• Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum (NASA, Video)
• Tour of the Electromagnetic Spectrum (NASA, Booklet)
• Electromagnetic Spectrum (Wikipedia, Article)

Whether you're new to the Airborne Sensor Operator world or an experienced ASO, having a thorough understanding of how radiation energy affects your job is essential to success.

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: Industry Support

Posted By: ASOG Desk Editor

It’s an honor to have a new corporate supporter who’s goal is to improve the Aerial Fire Fighting sector and to ensure our communities are safe from the devastating effects of wildfires. We are beyond delighted to announce - FireFlight Technologies Pty. Ltd – is now a new ASOG Corporate Supporter.

If you didn’t know, FireFlight Technologies provides real time wildfire intelligence using thermal sensors mounted on manned aircraft and UAVs. The FireFlight system comprises thermal imaging sensors; high precision GPS; flight management software; real time image processing algorithms; and web-delivery technology. The system delivers geospatially accurate fire maps to users in real time.

If you want to learn more about FireFlight Technologies and their products, check them out on the ASOG Corporate Supporter page (clicking their Logo). – OR - You can "Friend" David Bradshaw (Operations Manager at FireFlight Technologies) and send him a message via the ASOG e-mail service.

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: News & Information

Shared By: AVBuyer, 23rd December 2021, Astrid Ayling

Have you ever thought you could have a large, hazardous pipeline underneath or near your neighbourhood? If so, you probably wondered “How is the pipeline industry keeping these pipes safe?” AVBuyer ‘unearths’ the truth of how one part of this industry, the Pipeline Patrol and ASOs of Aerial Work aviation, is part of that safety net, ensuring those critical lines are safe and effective.

Discover the Pipeline Monitors of Aerial Work Aviation

ASOG 2022 Focus Area: News & Information

Source: PictureCorrect, August 21st, 2017, Paul Schlismann

If you are interested in breaking into the ASO career field of Aerial Photography, here is a good article from a veteran professional Aerial Photographer. Paul provides many sensible tips and best practices when it comes to taking images from a moving aircraft.

BASICS OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY FROM AN AIRPLANE OR HELICOPTER

ASOG 2021 Focus Area: Industry Support

Posted By: ASOG Desk Editor

Once again, It's great to see industry recognize the ASO profession and our group's efforts. We are happy to announce another new ASOG Corporate Supporter this week and the start of the New Year – FLYSIGHT.

FlySight S.r.l., as a part of the Flyby Group, is the subsidiary company dedicated to the defence and security sector. This specific company was born exploiting the years of Flyby experience in satellite remote sensing and data analytics.

FlySight team is specialized in designing and developing cutting-edge software in the field of C4ISR systems (Command, Control, Computer, Communication for Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance).

If you want to learn more about FlySight and their products, check them out on the ASOG Corporate Supporter page (clicking their Logo). Also, you can "Friend" Andrea Masini (CTO at FlySight Srl & Board of Director at Flyby Srl at FlySight) and send him a message via the ASOG e-mail service.

ASOG Article of the Month: December 2021

ASOG Author: Patrick Ryan

How do professional Airborne Sensor Operators (ASO) keep from making errors regarding operating sensors and aircraft systems? Plus, how do they backup other crew members during flight operations? The answer is professional ASOs use the "Checklist."

As I've said many times before, many actions, procedures, and responsibilities are not on the shoulders of one crew member, i.e., the pilot. Everyone on a flight crew, be it rated crewmembers to non-rated, should be applying the same practices, methods, and techniques. In this case, it's Checklist Discipline.

In aviation, a checklist is a list of tasks that aircrew should perform during all phases of flight. Specifically, aircrew use checklists for normal and non-normal operations, be it the aircraft or specialized systems (e.g., sensors, mission management systems, data links, etc.): for routine situations, landings, take-offs, collection operations, malfunctions, and emergencies.

There are many ways to ensure critical and non-critical tasks are accomplished regarding any flight operation. However, one method heavily used by many aircrews (manned and unmanned aircraft) in aviation is the "Flow-Check" method. This method is based on an aircrew member training and gaining experience with a particular aircraft or remote-sensor system to quickly and correctly accomplish all critical tasks required for flight and the mission.

The "Flow – Check" Method

First, a checklist means you use the list to check things. It's not meant to be a to-do-list. If you use a checklist as a to-do-list, you only have one opportunity to catch an error. If you have a preflight sensor flow followed by a checklist review, you have two chances to catch a mistake.

Flow

The flow part of this method consists of conducting actions from memory in a logical direction, say from left to right or up and down in the cockpit, crew compartment, or drone operation area. A preflight flow, for example, typically involves checking nearly every switch and system as well as circuit breakers and emergency equipment. Subsequent flows are typically shorter but nearly always follow a logical order.

One technique used to help with remembering what to check and in what order to flow is a mnemonic device. A mnemonic device is a simple acronym that breaks down a particular checklist into hunks and chunks. Here is an example of such an aviation mnemonic device:

Check

Regarding checking, there is also a discipline in using checklists. Checklists are usually printed on a card or kneeboard size page, sometimes laminated, and often folded vertically or lengthways. A single page is divided into many separate checklists. Additionally, checklists are presented electronically on a screen with newer aircraft, though a hard copy is always available.

Disruptions are the most common form of checklist mistakes. Some practices to apply to be sure the checklist gets continued to accomplishment is to recall your place or you can keep your finger on the point where you stopped. Can't remember where you left off? Just start over if you are not sure.

Professional aircrew members also use various techniques to ensure they don't forget to do a checklist. Usually, they leave the checklist in a prominent place (i.e., in front of a sensor operator workstation screen or on a kneeboard) to not be forgotten. There are numerous ways to cover your tail when using checklist, and different aircraft require different disciplines.

Improving Your Discipline

As a non-rated aircrew member, you don't need the same level of knowledge or experience as rated crewmembers when flying the aircraft. However, what makes a true professional non-rated aircrew member or Airborne Sensor Operator is having a baseline knowledge of the task for each phase of flight.

One technique is to learn aviation mnemonic devices for each phase of flight. With this general level of knowledge, one can back up the pilot(s) or assist in accomplishing these tasks. Additionally, running these acronyms in your head will improve your Situational Awareness (SA) and keep you "ahead-of-the-jet."

Another technique, and depending on the type of aircraft you fly and your crew position, you can support the pilot or UAS operator by reading aloud in a "challenge/response format" items on the checklist. Basically, you read the checklist task, and the pilot calls out the completion of the task. By doing this, you improve your knowledge while you ensure your flight runs safely and smoothly.

Checklist Complete

As you can tell, using a checklist is a critical practice to ensure that mistakes like damaging a million-dollar sensor or landing gear-up don't happen. However, checklist discipline doesn't have to be complicated or a nuisance. Instead, applying some basic methods, techniques, and practices can be a quick, correct, and reassuring process.

So, the next time you're scheduled to fly, take a few minutes, review your crew position checklist, and see if you can improve on them. Additionally, to grow as a professional non-rated aircrew member or ASO, stretch yourself and learn about other crew position checklist and task with an eye on safety, SA, and teamwork.

ASOG 2021 Focus Area: News & Information

Posted By: ASOG Desk Editor

If we had an ASOG video of the month showing what our members do and what our profession is about, this would definitely be the winner for this month. One of our core ASOG members (Ax Verhij) is the clip's star. According to Ax remarks on LinkedIn:

"A short promotional video originally intended for the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard website, explaining what a Sensor Operator does and what the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard Dash 8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is capable of in terms of SAR and Counter Drug Operations in the Caribbean.

This video is in Dutch since it's mainly focused on the local Dutch viewers but still contains interesting footage that's probably recognizable to most of my fellow followers/colleagues in the ISR Aviation industry."

If you want to know more, you can "Friend" Ax here on the ASOG homepage and PM him on the ASOG e-mail service.

"Great job Ax! Keep up the Great Work!"

ASOG 2021 Focus Area: News & Information

Posted By: ASOG Desk Editor | Mark Pomerleau, C4ISRNET, Dec 16, 2021

I thought this was an interesting article to share with the group. I came across this article published by C4ISRNET – "US Air Force cyber team demonstrates first-ever in-flight mission." It highlights the demonstration of cyber warfare teams conducting in-flight operations. That's a first for me. It's great to see the Airborne Sensor Operator profession and EW world innovating and expanding, i.e., the Airborne Sensor Operator career field continues to thrive and grow.

US Air Force cyber team demonstrates first-ever in-flight mission

ASOG Focus Area 2021: News & Information

Shared By: Astrid Ayling

This article came in from one of our members (Astrid Ayling). Astrid thought it would be informative and educational for the community.

What does a rescue helicopter sound like to a victim when approaching? “Joy, Reassurance, Hope?” Suppose you want to know how Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters bring relief to victims and their families. In that case, one of ASOGs Corporate Supports highlights the unique elements of this critical lifesaving operation and how the helicopter gets the job done.

The Leading Edge of Search & Rescue Operations: Aerial Work Helicopters

ASOG Article of the Month: November 2021

ASOG Author: Patrick Ryan

As of today, the ASO profession, in general, is not recognized or formalized by many civil aviation authorities around the world. Why is this, and what can be done to professionalize this aircrew position and improve Aviation Safety?

Aviation Safety concerns are the most relevant in all aviation sectors, be it GA, Airlines, and Aerial Work aviation. This is because so many human lives are always at stake, making it worth all the right reasons to improve on it. Additionally, in the civil aviation sector (especially in the Aerial Work aviation community), the economic effect of an accident or regulatory violation can be a disaster regarding staying in business for many medium and small companies.

One of the primary reasons accidents & violations happen is due to human error in the cockpit and between the various crew members. The fuel that usually feeds human error is a lack of professionalism, skills, and a poor safety mindset at different levels within the various career fields that make up the aviation community.

So, What do I Mean by "Missing Link."

The "Link "that I'm talking about is the civil non-rated Airborne Sensor Operator (ASO) career field. This profession is a global group of highly skilled technical individuals focused, along with rated pilots, on collecting information or data from an aircraft for critical governments and commercial-type applications. For instance:

• Aerial Surveying & Mapping
• Aerial Photography
• Aerial Cinematography
• Aerial Videography
• Flight Inspection
• Aerial Agriculture
• Aerial Firefighting
• Aerial Maritime Patrol
• Aerial Search & Rescue
• Airborne Law Enforcement
• Airborne Command & Control
• Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
• Airborne Electronic Warfare
• And more….

Since the beginning of man flight, ASOs have directly participated as crew members in civil and military aerial remote sensing operations. Today, hundreds and even thousands of individuals operate as ASOs on and off-board a manned or unmanned aircraft worldwide and across the spectrum of Aerial Work aviation. To highlight this point, search the internet and what you'll find are many job postings for:

• Airborne Sensor Operator
• Payload Operator
• Aerial Survey Operator
• Aerial Photographer
• Tactical Flight Officer
• Aerial cinematographer
• And many more…

However, ASO's have been overlooked or ignored by the global aviation community regarding standards, training, and developing a safety mindset equal to rated Pilots, Flight Dispatchers, and Flight Engineers. Again, search the internet, and you'll find very little regarding specific civil aviation regulations or non-government organizations producing or promoting standards for this profession, i.e., the Civil Aviation Authorities, industry, and the aviation world, in general, are not "closing the link."  

Bottomline - The aviation sector is failing not to recognize and take action to mitigate a source of risk.

Passenger vs. Aircrew Member

When it comes to the question of what is an ASO, one would argue that there is no safety "Missing Link" because the Airborne Sensor Operator is just a:

• "Passenger"
• The "Guy in Back" (GIB)
• "Self-Loading Luggage"
• Some person who babysits a sensor on a tethered Aerostat
• "The Dude standing next to me operating the camera on my drone"

Additionally, others would argue that individual civil ASO's are not in direct control of the aircraft like a Pilot or Flight Engineer, which mitigates them as a link in the risk management process. Therefore, no need to establish and enforce standards for this aircrew profession.

Plus, others would say civil ASO's should informally mirror pilot & remote pilot standards and best practices to meet the job's critical safety & task expectations. But, in general, it should not bother the established civil aviation community with another area of improvement. Or industry should hire from the various militaries worldwide for well-trained ASO's.

The counter-argument to this is the true intent of Civil Aviation Safety – "Mitigate Risk." The means of mitigating this risk is to identify areas of improvement and apply the appropriate actions or efforts in a rigorous & standardized manner. 

In this case – Airborne Sensor Operators. Allowing a group of professionals to participate in flight activities without universal guidance and oversight is a formula for trouble. Developing and implementing mechanisms to professionalize the ASO aircrew position, the civil aviation community will shave off accident percentages, ASOs will improve their skills, and commercial firms will protect their bottom-line.

Closing the Missing Link

Like with any problem, there is a solution. In this case, the solution is no different than the qualification process used for rated crewmembers, i.e., standards, training, and certification.

Standards

The first step is to establish and publish standards. This action consists of civil aviation authorities (ICAO, CAA, FAA, EASA, etc.) to recognize this aircrew position and establish basic operating standards. Doing so will provide an authoritative framework for non-government organizations (Associations, Aviation Societies, Industry, etc.) to refine & improve specific non-rated ASO/flight crew safety and qualification programs, i.e., Professionalize with safety and improvement mindset.

Training

The second step is to establish ASO training programs focused on airmanship and remote-sensing knowledge linked to the above civil aviation and industry standards. To achieve this training, non-governmental organizations (Flight Schools, etc.) would develop and offer dedicated training courses for ASO crewmembers beyond what is offered today.

Formal ASO training for ASO's will educate a group of active flying participants who lacked access to such training in the past. Without a doubt, this approach will help expand the expertise within manned and unmanned flight operations and diminish some of the risks associated with flying.

Certification

The third and final step is to establish professional Certifications to formally validate an individual ASO's level of knowledge and experience. Like with other aviation professions establishing a global certification system will enhance the professionalism of the ASO/Aircrew member career field while providing commercial & non-commercial entities the means to mitigate risk by hiring quickly & correctly with a standard qualification criterion.

Bottomline

Again, It appears the aviation community has a "Missing Link" in its safety perspective. The link is related to a particular highly skilled aviation group, in this case, the Airborne Sensor Operator.

As of today, the ASO profession, in general, is not recognized or formalized by many civil aviation authorities around the world. Because of this, the ASO profession lacks the formalization to guide participants to the next level of professionalism & a safety mindset equal to other critical aviation careers fields. By incrementally formalizing this profession through standards, training, and certification programs, the aviation community as a whole, as it should, can improve its safety margins!

However, today, the aviation industry sector is failing not to recognize and take action to mitigate a source of risk. It doesn't make sense. Why the non-action?

ASOG 2021 Focus Area: News & Information

Shared By: Astrid Ayling

Are you keeping up with technology and how it plays in your aircrew life? Articles and white papers from companies are one of the best sources of information regarding new technology or the application of technology in the ASO world.

Here’s an article posted in AVBuyer magazine Multi-Mission / Aerial Work aviation section, i.e., how mobile phones are used as emergency beacons in Search & Rescue operations. It provides a simple overview of how the technology works and one type system on the market today.

If you want to learn more about this technology, one of our ASOG members (Peter Myers) is a Subject Matter Expert (SME), i.e., just reach out to him via the ASOG web mail service with your questions.

Mobile Phone as an Emergency Beacon

ASOG 2021 Focus Area: Networking

Shared By: George DeCock

ASOG members Konstantin Krivovs and roving Ambassador George meet at MiliPol 2021 in Paris with the newest Penguin C VTOL UAV. The nose section turns 180 degrees upward for safe landing.

ASOG 2021 Focus Area: Industry Support

Posted By: ASOG Desk Editor

Excellent news! We are proud to announce DEA Aviation Ltd is now an ASOG Corporate Supporter. Again, It's great to see the industry recognize the ASO profession and our group's efforts.

DEA Aviation is a UK-headquartered aircraft operations, management and maintenance service provider. They meet their customers’ specific and diverse requirements by creating custom solutions using their specialized hardware, equipment and personnel. Their services include:

• Airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)
• Land and environmental survey and analysis
• Specialized commercial air transport
• EASA Part M and Part 145 and other regulatory bodies aircraft management and maintenance.

If you want to learn more about DEA, check them out on the ASOG Corporate Supporter page (click their Logo). Also, you can "Friend" Emma Taylor and send her a message via the ASOG e-mail service.

ASOG Article of the Month: October 2021

ASOG Author: Mark Smits (Originally published 4 April 2019, ASOG)

Every profession has its own unique aspects. If you want to know the unique aspects of the Airborne Sensor Operator profession, Mark Smits gives a great breakdown of our career's characteristics and what it’s like to be an ASO.

Here are some great reasons to pursue an Airborne Sensor Operations job and career:

The Pay – If you’re looking for a great opportunity for fresh out of high school, technical or trade school, an undergraduate or graduate program, second career, and military transition, there is very likely a flavor of Airborne Sensor Operations that is right for you! The field, and therefor pay and benefits is greatly varied, however, you can anywhere from a livable wage (at a minimum) to 6 figures depending on what you bring to the table, and what your risk tolerance is. I will say, if you’re in it mostly for the cash, then you will likely be disappointed. This mentality and others will show through eventually in the profession that is both demanding and team driven, and you’ll likely not hit this success criteria if it is your primary motivator.

The Intrigue – Most people, at the minimum understand that you can put a camera on an aircraft, or in space, or on a boat, and these days a drone, to collect information, or at least a picture. You will be on the forefront of data collection, and the genius of hopefully important and valuable information. It may be something that most people are not familiar with these days you can point to Google Earth, and say you do something similar, or talk about the aircraft that spot hotspots for fire fighting efforts. Unless your acquaintances have lived under a rock for the last 20 years, you can relate your work to them. Also, many of us, cannot talk about work, so if you like to keep things short and mysterious, there’s a ASO job for that!

For the Pride – Airborne Sensor Operations are nearly never an end-in-themselves, there is a reason, and usually a pertinent, timely, and valuable demand is driving the requirement to get information. Rarely mindless, always relevant; there is a true satisfaction to understand the work would you do have value, sometimes economic, sometimes tactical, sometimes strategic, but again always valuable.

For the Schedule – The bane and beauty of most ASO work is the time on/time off schedule. The job is typically demanding, and employers are often balancing either have too many staff with the risk of having some sit out unpaid or having to little and countering attrition. Lots of firms will schedule week on/week off, or when OCONUS, 6 months onsite, then name your time to return. For those looking for high investment in you, a year in, year out schedule may look like one month on, one week off. The firms that will work with you on an individual level or have so strict of policies that both mutually benefit (cost) and lose (opportunity) in step with one another, can be the easiest to work scheduling with. Look for a firm that values resources, your time, and their own time, and you will be set up for a winning opportunity. Think travel, fishing, hiking, exploring, additional training and education, and side hustles, ASO schedules can enable these schedules.

The Travel – There are a few services related, and business-related fields that can support regular, regional, national, and global travel. Almost no other profession will couple travel with time on/time off scheduling for you to take advantage of where you are. Company paid travel can be one of the great beauties to ASO employment. Most firms will allow you to save yourself money by piggy-backing on your work travels and using that as a launching point for your own personal exploration and travel. You’ll typically be paid to go to the work, to the bird, that’s waiting for you.

The Complexity and Challenge – Airborne Sensor Operations are always evolving and are notoriously challenging for a variety of reasons. Let it be said, if you are looking for simple work, someone is looking to automate that work and your place in it. Airborne Sensor Operations both embraces the complexity involved with a variety of situations, with an aircraft or platform that has its own eccentricities, with a demand that must be met, typically for stakeholders that need it NOW! Dealing with these challenges, doing this job, will make you a better resource and person for it.

The Enabling Perspective – There are few professions that touch on so many others and have a state of excellence within them. As an ASO, you can develop skills in operations, negotiations, project management, aviation, and a variety of engineering disciplines. Are you an engineering student that does not know which way to jump into a tighter discipline, come into the field with sensors and instrumentation that leverage mechanical, electrical, optical, electro-optical, aeronautical, thermodynamic, damage tolerance, human-machine interfacing, software and control engineering, and many more disciplines. Are you an intel professional that wants to understand source data? A GIS grad that wants some adventure before you take the desk job? How about international affairs that what’s to travel? How about a veteran looking for great work and previous experience, at lower risk? The beauty of ASO as a career choice is that there are many points of entry, many flavors of employment, and usually something for everyone.

ASOG 2021 Focus Area: News & Information

Shared By: ASOG Desk Editor, Article from ASOG Corporate Supporter – AvBuyer Magazine

Great article to read if you're interested in helicopters or the discipline of professional aircrew members.

AvBuyer-GABuyer Europe Magazine - The Highest Ever Flight in a Helicopter - 42,500FT

ASOG 2021 Focus Area: Industry Support

Posted By: ASOG Desk Editor

It's great to see the industry recognize again the ASO profession and our group's efforts. We are delighted to announce another new ASOG Corporate Supporter this week – Hansa Luftbild.

The Hansa Luftbild AG, Muenster, Germany is in the geoinformation sector. They have been in successful operation, at an international level, since 1923. For clients in the public and private service sectors, they offer comprehensive solutions for geospatial problems and undertakings. They support clients with the optimal management of large sets of dynamic geospatial data and assist with effective planning, operating and decision making processes.

If you want to learn more about Hansa Luftbild, check them out on the ASOG Corporate Supporter page (clicking their Logo). Also, you can "Friend" Michal Sanocki (Business Line Manager/Flight Operations at Hansa Luftbild) and send him a message via the ASOG e-mail service.

ASOG 2021 Focus Area: News & Information

Shared By: Georg DeCock, (Article from Defence Web, 14 Oct 2021)

FYI - Possible jobs for some of you in the group. 

MAG Aerospace awarded UN contract for ISR aircraft in Mali

ASOG 2021 Focus Area: News & Information

Shared By: ASOG Desk Editor – Alex Pollit, AirMed&Rescue Magazine, 13 January 2020

Even though this article focuses on CRM, it highlights something critical to all ASOs and non-rated Aircrew personnel. That is a lack of definition and standards by civil aviation authorities around the world regarding such Aircrew members, i.e., People who fly for a living and contribute to every flight's safety.

If you didn't know, one of ASOG's focus areas is advocating for better clarification in government publications and actions regarding ASOs and non-rated Aircrew Members worldwide. The rationale is that better definitions and guidance will lead to safer operations and better outputs by both employers and employees.

With that, read the article, and let's hear your thoughts?

Crew Resource Management in SAR and HEMS Operations

ASOG Article of the Month: September 2021

ASOG Author: Gary Micklethwaite (Originally published 1 February 2017, ASOG)

It is a debate as ancient as higher education itself - What matters most when it comes to getting a job? Does that college degree get your foot in the door, or does your past work experience count for more? Gary gives his perspective on this question from a 30+ years as an ASO.

OK, I'm about to open a can of worms. Education or Experience? Perhaps a bit of background on why this has percolated to the top of my things to complain about. While continuing on my ever widening job search for something Sensor Op related, I have perused many a job posting where there is a requirement for a post-secondary education along with experience, and this has led me to ask why.

Let’s look at my own example. I have no post-secondary education. There are no letters after my name, yet I have 30 years’ experience in Sensor Operation, mission planning, mission management, instruction, standards and aviation in general. When does one outstrip the other? When can one say that education is worth more than experience OR vice versa? Don't get me wrong there’s lots of other things going against me getting suitable employment in a field that I have loved for the past three decades, most notably of which is that I have three extra decades worth of life under my belt, which in a lot of situations would enable me hors de combat in the job competitiveness department. I understand that most employers want someone who can work for them quite possibly for an entire career and I don’t qualify on that count, so the needs of a company who wants someone for the long haul means that their experience levels are much lower than "us of a certain age", therefore the shortfall has to be made up with education, right? Or does it?

While I begrudge no one a career as an ASO, as I loved it for every one of those 30 years, we have to look at the way a lot of businesses run these days. A lot of companies are looking to change the demographic of their workforce in the future. The emphasis has begun to move away from "career" workers and start shifting towards contract or term workers. What employers are looking for then is someone who can parachute in, grab a desk (or hammer, wrench, torch or workstation) and do the job with a minimum of fuss or training. As the labor market constricts, as I see it, older workers will have more say in choosing the kind of  jobs they do, when, and how they work.

This blog doesn't even cover that argument that us old guys are taking jobs away from the youngsters while we should be off enjoying our retirement. There's a whole 'other discussion to be had  about that which I won't cover here. Suffice to say that people want to stay in the workforce for two major reasons. The mental engagement and the income. People are living longer, healthier lives, still want to contribute to society and don't want to outlive their money. Sixty is the new fifty and all that.......

So the kids have longevity on their side and us seasoned guys don't, which brings me back to my initial point of Education vs. Experience. What do we bring to the fight then? There's a lot to be said for age. While the young guy has the benefit of post-secondary education which may or may not be in a related field, I have the added perk of being out there in the work force and have lived life. Sort of a "been there, done that" perk that the kids don’t have in their pocket. Most of us also have the ability to use critical thinking, have strong decision making skills, a good work ethic and outside the box thinking skills. We also tend to be highly trained, self-managed, short on ego and willing to put in a full day’s work. Most of us are also ready and willing to work part time instead of full time.  Throw in efficient, organized, honest, punctual and dedicated and you give employers a lot of options. Put all this into a box and label it "life experience".

Now I'm not saying that younger and more educated people than I aren’t all of what I described in the previous paragraph, in fact a lot of them have all of the attributed I described, which then brings me back to does the employer want education or does he want experience in a worker?

It would seem from looking at job posts that companies are looking for education, and that something I like to call "education creep" is rearing its head. Much like mission creep that all of us who have a military background lived and loathed, education creep is moving the goalposts ever farther to the side of requiring higher and higher education. I have noticed job posts that have a requirement of a baccalaureate degree and an "it would be nice" listing of a post graduate level degree like a masters.  It seems we are over-qualifying the needs that an ASO required to do their job.  Like I said I lived this in the military. When I was a youngster most day to day decisions could be made by a corporal or a lieutenant. those very same decisions now require a Sgt-Major or a full Colonel.

In other words, decisions made today take someone with more experience than education. Kinda seems like a circular argument doesn't it?