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.
