Applications of kite aerial photography: property survey.

Keywords: kite aerial photography, property survey, Lake Kahola, Kansas.

INTRODUCTION

The techniques of taking aerial photographs from kites were introduced by the authors in the Transactions (Aber, Sobieski et al. 1999; Aber, Aber and Leffler 2001) and in other journals during the past few years (Aber and Galazka 2000; Aber and Aber 2001; Aber, Aaviksoo et al. 2002). The basic method involves large kites for lifting camera rigs 50150 m above the surface. Various film and digital cameras may be utilized to capture images in visible and near-infrared portions of the spectrum. The camera rigs are controlled by radio transmitter from the ground, and pictures may be taken in any orientation relative to the ground and sun position. The resulting airphotos are large-scale, high-resolution images that depict ground features in surprising detail. Ground resolution of vertical kite aerial photography is typically in the range of 5-10 cm.

Kite aerial photography (KAP) is an example of small-format aerial photography, which has become increasingly popular during the past few decades (Warner, Graham and Read 1996; Bauer, Befort et …