Description
Pilot and navigate fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters to conduct aerial mapping, photogrammetry, and remote sensing missions on nonscheduled routes. Requires a Commercial Pilot certificate. Plan and fly precise survey lines to collect geospatial data while coordinating with sensor operators and maintaining regulatory compliance and flight safety.
- • Conduct thorough preflight inspections of aircraft, avionics, and mapping sensors for airworthiness and readiness.
- • Review NOTAMs, TFRs, weather, sun angle, cloud cover, turbulence, terrain, and airspace to plan sorties.
- • Calculate weight and balance with sensor payloads and fuel; verify performance and takeoff/landing distances.
- • File and fly IFR or VFR as appropriate; obtain ATC clearances, advisories, and altitude blocks.
- • Start engines, taxi, and depart per SOPs and flight plans to and from survey areas.
- • Fly stabilized, precise headings, altitudes, airspeeds, and track spacing to achieve required coverage and overlap.
- • Use FMS/GPS, moving maps, and autopilot to maintain line accuracy and timing for sensor triggering.
- • Coordinate with sensor operators on line starts/ends, QA/QC, and reruns to close data gaps.
- • Monitor engine parameters, fuel state, and aircraft systems; manage power for vibration and stability control.
- • Request altitude or route changes to avoid clouds, sun glare, or turbulence that degrade data quality.
- • Maintain terrain and obstacle clearance; use radar altimeter or TAWS to hold consistent AGL when required.
- • Adhere to daylight, sun elevation, and seasonal constraints for imagery quality.
- • Manage fuel, alternates, and contingencies to meet reserves while maximizing mission efficiency.
- • Verify camera/LiDAR calibration, time sync, storage media capacity, and GPS/IMU quality before and during flight.
- • Ensure sensor payloads, mounts, and cabling are secure; confirm proper aircraft loading.
- • Coordinate with ground crews for mission planning, equipment readiness, and fast turnarounds.
- • Record flight and mission details: lines flown, times, altitudes, overlaps, GPS quality, and anomalies.
- • Perform minor aircraft and sensor troubleshooting; arrange maintenance for discrepancies.
- • Comply with FAA regulations, airspace procedures, and company SOPs and safety policies.
- • Train or mentor other pilots in mapping procedures, navigation techniques, and company standards.
- • Lead crew briefings and CRM; assign duties during multi-crew operations.
- • Serve as PIC or co-pilot as required by mission and aircraft.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
