An aerial photographic mission involves careful planning, preparation, pilot and photographer coordination, and photographing. Planning starts with a request for photographs and includes determining the type and number of photographs, type of camera, type of film, camera accessories, sequence of exposures, flight time, and flight path. To be successful, both pilot and photographer must know and understand the objective(s) of the mission. Questions to be answered during mission planning are as follows:

What are the pictures to be used for? What should be shown in the pictures? What types of pictures are required (slides, prints, video, verticals, obliques, air-to-air, or others)?

When are the pictures required? Where is the target located?

What size is the target (subject)?

At what time of day is the lighting best? From what direction should the pictures be taken?

From approximately what altitude should the pictures be taken?

What hazards to safe flight are present in the target area?

When the photographer and the pilot have the answers to these questions and understand the objectives of the mission, both are in a position to produce quality photographs that meet the needs of the requester.

To enable the photographer to take pictures, the pilot must know specific details about the mission. When taking photographs on the ground, you can choose to move either the object or yourself to get proper composition for your pictures. However, in the air, you must rely on the pilot for the desired camera angle and the correct camera-to-subject distance. The pilot cannot read your mind, so it is important to discuss your plans in detail before the flight. Remember, there is not time to accomplish this while you are both in flight.

Other reasons for discussing plans before the flight are as follows: the mission may require maneuvers the aircraft is incapable of performing or the pilot may perform a different maneuver to get the same results. On the ground, the photographer has sole control over the camera. In the air, the camera is, so to speak, in the hands of both the photographer and the pilot. Both must coordinate their efforts and work together as a team.

MAPS AND CHARTS

For some aerial assignments, a map or chart is important for the successful accomplishment of an aerial photographic mission. You should become familiar with the different types of maps and charts available. A map is used primarily for land navigation, while a chart is used primarily for water navigation. Represented on a map or chart are the essential topographic features, such as water depths, roads, railroads, rivers, lakes, towns, cities, airfields, and other man-made objects.

The scale of a map or chart depends upon personal choice and availability. A large-scale map provides greater detail, while a small-scale map covers a larger area. The scale of the map you use should be large enough to define the target clearly yet small enough to include a large area surrounding the target.

Reading a map is easier when the top of the map is forward, so the map lies in front of you, just as the ground does. You may find the map easier to use during the flight when you write on it, so the top is in the main direction of flight. Once you have located the target on the map, you should mark it. Indicate the type of photograph and any other information that may be of assistance in your photographic mission, such as altitude, scale, and angle. Geometric North should also be marked on the map.