Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is an rapid terrain visualization (RTV) flight management and planning system intended to assist operators of a LIDAR mapping system in planning and conducting aerial surveys. Its primary functions include flight management, survey planning, system control, coverage evaluation, and training. Flight planning capabilities are provided through a survey planner that allows a user to define mission parameters and automatically calculates LIDAR parameters and flight lines. A course deviation indicator (CDI) is provided to the pilot(s) to show both graphically and numerically their perpendicular distance from the current desired flight line. Real-time coverage tracking is provided through a plan progress window that provides a map of the survey area including flight lines. When the aircraft passes through a survey area while the LIDAR is activated, the resulting laser swath traced on the ground is drawn on a plan progress display.

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First Claim