Riegl USA Announces New Airborne Laser Scanner LMS-Q680i - Class 1 for FAA Rotorcraft. Policy Concerning the Installation of Laser Systems on Rotorcraft
In 2006 a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin was distributed regarding the potential hazards of mounting FLIR systems on Rotorcraft (SW-06-68). FAA concerns and subsequent policy changes have been implemented regarding the safety of Airborne Laser Scanners on Rotorcrafts because of this potential hazard. The policy identifies concerns with Class 3A, 3B and 4 lasers. The proposed policy directs that these lasers not be approved in an operational configuration; the laser function must be electrically disabled and a Class 1 rating mandatory.
Riegl Laser Measurement Systems GmbH has released its latest state-of-the-art Airborne Laser Scanner the LMS-Q680i - Class 1 for FAA Rotocraft. The scanner will use reduced laser power to achieve the important Class 1 rating the FAA policy dictates. The risk to a person in the area around the LMS-Q680i - Class 1 scanner is zero.
"Under foreseeable typical operational modes for actual airborne surveying with the LMS-Q680i aboard a rotorcraft, there is no hazard from the laser emission for observers on the ground and for the crew," said Dr. Andreas Ullrich, CTO, Riegl Laser Measurement Systems GmbH .
This system will have the same 266,000 measurements at the ground performance. This "Innovation in 3D" provides unrivaled point density performance and an unmatched laser pulse repetition rate of 400KHz.
The new LMS-Q680i-Class 1 for FAA Rotorcraft offers the established industry-leading echo digitization for in-depth full waveform analysis, now smoothly combined with multiple-time-around signal processing. "The combination allows the user to benefit from the high pulse rate also from high flight altitudes and thus to achieve high measurement densities on the ground," said Dr. Andreas Ullrich, CTO, Riegl Laser Measurement Systems GmbH.
A scan rate of up to 200 lines per second at a constant 60 degree field-of-view makes this product ideal for city modeling, power line monitoring and coastal mapping. The scanner is also ideal for forestry and DEM model generation applications.
"We are excited to be able to quickly respond to the Geospatial communities need to be in accordance with these FAA regulations," said Riegl USA President, James Van Rens.
