CHAPTER 3 PLANNING AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY 3.1 Introduction Successful execution of any serial photogrammetric project depends upon good- quality photography. A flight plan generally consists of two items: (@) a flight map which shows where the photos ure to be taken and (ii) specifications which outline how to take them, including specific requirements such as camera and film requirements, scale, flying height, end lap, side lap, tilt and crab tolerances, etc. In addition, in many areas periods of time that are acceptable for serial photography are quite limited by weather and ground cover conditions which are related to season of the year Failure to obtain sctisfactory photography on a flight mission not only necessitates costly reflights but in all probobility it will also cause long and expensive delays on the project for which the photos were ordered. Flight planning is one of the most important operations in the overall photegrammetrie project. 3.2. End lap and side lap ‘As illustrated in Fig(3.1), end lap is the overlapping of successive photos along a flight strip. Fig (3.2), illustrates side lap, the overlap of adjacent flight strips. Figure (3.1) End lap, the overlapping of successive photos along a flight strip. % of end lap (PE) = cae x 100 GB.) Where , G = dimension of the square of ground covered by single photograph. B = air base or distance between exposure stations of a stereopair. PE = percent end lap27 If stereoscopic coverage of an area is required, the absolute minimum end lap is 50%. However, in order to prevent gaps from occurring in the stereoscopic coverage due to crab, tilt, flying height variations, and temain variations, end laps greater than 50% are used. The amount of end lap is normally between 55% and 65%. Crab exists when the edges of the photos in the x direction are not parallel with the direction of flight. Fig.G.3) through Fig.(3.5) illustrate reductions in end lap causing loss of stereoscopic coverage due to tilt, flying height variations, and relief variations respectively. Side lap is required in aerial photography to prevent gaps from occurring between. flight strips as a result of deaft, crab, tilt, flying height variations, and terrain variations. Draft . is the term applied to a failure of the pilot to fly along planned flight lines. It is often caused by strong winds. Excessive drifts are the most common cause for gaps in photo coverage; when this occurs, reflights are necessary. Figure (3.2) Side lap, the overlapping of adjacent flight strips. G-W % of side lap (PS) = x 100 G2) Where, G= dimension of the square of ground coverage of a single photograph. W = spacing between adjacent flight lines. PS = percent side lap Mapping photography is normally taken with a side lap of about 30%. Photography for mosaic work is sometimes taken with greater than 30% side lap as this reduces the size of the central portion of the photograph that must be used, thereby lessening distortions of images due to tilt and relief. In some cases where aerial photography is to be used for very precise photogrammetric cor:trol extension, it may be taken with 60% side lap as well as 60% end lap,ae ature to schleve stereoscopic’ sumerage due to tit Figure G.3) Failure to achieve stereoscopic coverage due to tilt, Figure (3.4) Failure to achieve stereoscopic coverage due to flying height variations, SS ature to acheve stereoscopic ‘overge due to terrain aration Figure (3.5) Failure to achieve stereoscopic coverage due to terrain variations. Example 3.1 The air base of a stereopair of vertical photos is 4600 fi and flying height above average ground is 8000 fi. The camera has 6 in (152.4 mm) focal length and a 9 in (23 cm) format. What is the percent end lap? Solution B = 4600 ft, H’ ce = 8000 ft, £6 in, 9 in format, %cnd lap =?