CAP Mission Aircrew: Airborne Photographer

1. CAP Mission Aircrew:Airborne Photographer

2. CAP Standards, Safety & Mission Readiness

3. The CAP Aircraft as a Camera Platform • During a mission, your airplane becomes the camera platform; you (the photographer) should be working with the crew to help position the camera platform. • The Airborne Photographer is typically the Mission Commander • The Mission Pilot retains responsibility for the safety of the flight as Aircraft Commander

4. Target Details • Not just a name or location (such as “Smith Lake Dam”) • Try to define the target location by at least two forms of navigational information such as Lat/Long (or VOR radial/DME). • Ensure that you get a good verbal description of the target, and what they want to see. • Unsure? Ask questions!

5. Expectations • Does the customer want to see the extent of flooding below a dam or levee? The entire trail of debris from a tornado? • Does the customer want wide shots followed by close-ups? • Does the customer want the shots taken from a certain altitude (AGL) or from a specific angle to the target?

6. Aircrew Planning • How experienced is your Mission Pilot & Mission Observer with this new AP standard? • Plan the type of pattern (s) to be flown and communications between the pilot and Airborne Photographer (left, right, etc) • A Mission Observer can keep the photo log, monitor the scene during shooting and/or communicate with ground assets

7. Prepare the Aircraft • If shooting out the left rear window, check the photo port or clean the window • If you will be shooting out the right front window of the aircraft, remove the window holding screw (if OK’d by superiors) • Enter waypoints into the GPS before takeoff • Arrange your equipment for easy access • Ensure papers and charts are not loose, where they can be blown about the cabin when you open a window to take pictures

8. Weather • This is a safety issue and a visibility issue • If a front is passing through, WAIT • Your safety is PARAMOUNT • Collect information about the target area • Morning fog? • Afternoon haze? • High winds? (Turbulence issue)

9. Camera Bag • Each camera, zoom lens, GPS and accessories is kept MISSION READY in it’s camera bag • At a minimum, your camera bag should contain: • Nikon camera & two lenses • Solmeta GPS & cable • Garmin GPS & accessories • Spare batteries & chargers • Spare media cards • Media card reader

10. Camera & GPS Batteries • “Top off” batteries after missions flown • Keep two spares– just in case • Your camera has a battery meter- ensure your battery is full or close to full at the beginning of each sortie

11. Cleaning • Ensure lens caps are kept in place anytime the camera isn’t being used, and that the cap is secured to the camera with a strap • The best way to ensure a clean lens is not to let it get dirty in the first place! • A damaged or scratched filter is much cheaper to replace than a lens; keep a UV filter on the lens • DO NOT WIPE YOUR CAMERA LENS. You will scratch it. Routine fingerprints can be gently wiped off with a special lens cloth, but smears and other damaging contaminants will scratch

12. Condensation • When a camera is taken from a cool area into warm air, the lens surface can fog up • This can be a real problem when camera is brought inside after being outside in the cold; this also includes air conditioning in the Summer • Be VERY cognizant of this potential problem and take steps to avoid, or rectify; it will usually clear up on it’s own, and you can use a lens cloth to gently wipe it away

13. Media Cards • Keep your camera media cards (the one in the camera and the spares) empty whenever possible • Avoid leaving media cards in direct sunlight, and don’t put them in your pocket or other places where they can get bent or crushed

14. Periodic Inspection • Inspect the camera/camcorder periodically and inventory the camera bag contents, and replenish as necessary • Remember, you don’t know when the next mission will come

15. Questions?