Latitude is developing a utility for Aerial Firefighters to transfer small files (fire perimeter polygons) to the ground over the AFF Satellite link (Iridium).

Bob Roth is arranging for a NIFC-FTP folder to receive these aerial polygon files, and then auto convert -> upload to Google Earth. Initial testing has worked very well. The ultimate goal is to have fire perimeters appear within 10 minutes on ground bound iPhones-Google Earth for fire fighters at the scene.

DeLorme has created some sample fire symbols. I’m waiting for XMap to test ESRI import. The hope is that SHP file will import directly, and GPX files won’t be needed. XMap is already less than 1/10 the price of Matech for the western states, and DeLorme is talking about giving firefighters special pricing.

Special firmware is being written for the Canon SD 990IS camera to make it run continuously as an intervalometer for 5 hours. 15 MegaPixel photos will record every ~8 seconds for the entire flight. For $310 this could be your next personal pocket camera, and then bring it along flying. Set in the windshield (on a cloth for dampening) or strap to the back seat, and let it run through the whole flight. Use the photos for post flight debriefing, for Incident Command, dispatchers, GIS teams or upload the best ones to Google Earth. DeLorme will Geo-map the photo according to the GPS log file. Throw them away if uninteresting or archive photos by just retaining the SD chip (put a fresh one in the camera for $17) or copy them to a PC. Initial tests show great resolution (vertical lines can be one pixel thick), and shooting through plexi-windows only reduces contrast, not resolution. You should dampen the plane’s vibration, so set it on something soft.

Cockpit Training: Moving-map topos with GIS overlays
I’m scheduled to present "Inexpensive technology for immediate use: Why & How-to" at two ATGS refreshers classes:
- March 31-April 2 in Sacramento, California
- April 28-30 in Twin Falls, Idaho Agenda Outline:

1) Moving-map topos for ground names and situational awareness
2) GIS overlay of last night’s fire info transferred by GPX (or ESRI if XMap will allow)
3) Transmitting .txt fire perimeter polygons to earth over satellite AFF boxes
4) Camcorders continuously recording radio-intercom-audio+through-the-window-HDvideo to SD cards
5) People who want this should watch the blog/newsgroup for details and updates

I'm planning to demo as much of this as possible.