Airport Survey, Electronic Terrain and Obstacle Data Collection

Abstract

The development of the aviation sector is continuous. One of the pillars of aviation safety is the database containing obstacle data, which, in accordance with international guidelines, is not only to be maintained, but also its reliability is to be improved. State-of-the-art technologies contribute greatly to this, for example electronic Terrain and Obstacle Data Collection (eTOD). The process is based on remote sensing of a fixed wing aircraft. The point cloud generated from aircraft and GIS information can be organised into strictly defined terrain- and obstacle databases, governed by international standards and documents, that will make the obstacle database applicable internationally. These data sets are needed not only because regulations require their existence, but also because they form the basis for the design of various flight procedures and make amajor contribution to aviation safety.