FLIR 
(forward-looking infrared)
 

Our long wave (8 – 12 microns) FLIR provides exceptional image clarity and superb solar immunity.  The gyrostabilized gimbal houses both an IR and a natural color camera.  Oblique and nadir (straight down) views are available. Both the IR and color camera provide geo-referenced video and still images.  Geo-referenced video and images can be import into a GIS through an ESRI shapefile.  Supporting images are permanently linked to the data collection point. 

Equipment

We used a PolyTech Kelvin 350 II (Sweden).  The gimbal allows 330 ^o of azimuth and 90 ^o of elevation allowing us to look in all directions except directly behind the airplane.  The infrared sensor installed in the gimbal is the high resolution Agema Thermovision 1000 which is a long wave system (8-12 micron).  It has 800 by 400 pixels providing superb resolution and the ability to determine animals by their morphology or body shape.  The minimum detectable thermal resolution is less than 1 ^o C which means it can detect objects that are only a degree Celsius different from the background.  It has a wide (20 ^o) and a narrow (5 ^o) field of view (FOV).  At 1,000 ft. above ground level looking straight down using the wide FOV the footprint or area covered by the sensor is 360 ft. x 234 ft. while the narrow FOV provides a footprint 90 ft. x 59 ft.  The look angle for this survey averaged 55 ^o providing a footprint width of 440 ft. in wide FOV and 110 ft. in narrow FOV.  It also has a SONY color video camera.

The sensor operator sits in the rear seat and watched a high resolution 9 in. monitor to aim and focus sensor.  We recorded the infrared on mini-digital videotape (Mini DV).

We collect quantitative data and qualitative data to facilitate analysis and education.  Images provide qualification.  A picture is worth a 1,000 words.
 

Some applications include: 

Fire mapping and hot spot detection – Using vertical data collection we can provide a map of the fire perimeter upon landing.  Hot spots can be interpreted with remote fire temperature analysis using our radiometric sensor.  Oblique images and video can provide visual reference to facilitate interpretation.

Rapid vegetation assessment – We can provide vegetation assessments for habitat analysis.  Geo-referenced images and video can be permanently archived.  Data is available immediately. 

Stream surface temperature assessments – We provide geo-referenced vertical images and color images for riparian and stream surface temperature analysis. 

Wildlife Surveys – Vision Air Research was founded to conduct wildlife surveys using FLIR.  We employ a Certified Wildlife Biologist with over 7 years of experience using FLIR for wildlife surveys.  An article on the use of FLIR for wildlife surveys will be published in the Wildlife Society’s Bulletin in the Fall 2004 issue.  A triad of skills is required to conduct high quality surveys using FLIR: wildlife survey sampling design, skills in thermography, and skilled aviation professional.  The Idaho Helicopters, Inc. and Vision Air Research team provides all of these skills to provide high quality economical surveys.  A major problem in studying animals is finding them.  Please see fall 2004 Wildlife Society Bulletin for a peer review article on the use of FLIR for a bighorn sheep survey.

Visibility is the most important factor in population estimates.  An increase in the thermal sensitivity and finer resolution through an increase in the number of pixels represents the most important advancement in thermal IR technology for wildlife survey applications.  This provides the ability to identify the animal by morphology.  Detection rates are high because infrared sensors used today can discern a thermal delta of less than 1 o C.  Infrared surveys can provide a wide range of operational use.  For example, airborne infrared can be used at day or night, does not require snow or cold temperatures.  These sensors have been used from the North Slope of Alaska in winter to survey polar bear maternal dens to Yuma, Arizona, to survey wild horses and burros.  In deciduous forests surveys are optimally conducted during the period when the leaves are off the trees.  Recording the flight on videotape allows for permanent record.  Vision Air Research staff have over seven years of experience conducting surveys using FLIR for wildlife surveys including extensive research on variables influencing detection rates.

The images taken across the US show the ability to detect and distinguish white-tailed deer in a range of habitats.  Our sensor allows us to differential between deer, elk, cows and other mammals.  There is no confusing deer and rocks.  All of these images were taken from 1,000 ft above ground level.

We can map groups 

or individual animals.

Cattle feedlot counts – We can differentiate individuals for a rapid accurate count. 

Wide field of view capturing the entire feed lot.

Close up of cow cluster in the corner of the feed lot.

Hay bale hot spot detection – Hay bales can develop heat within the hay bale stack. 

The red circle shows the location of the hot spot.

For more information on Vision Air Research
visit their website by clicking the banner below