The Reims Aviation F406, a twin-turboprop aircraft, is particularly well-suited to light airborne surveillance missions, with integration of the latest generation systems: cartography, the fight against pollution, surveillance of fishing grounds, borders, passenger and freight transport, etc. The F406 can handle many types of missions and is appreciated by operators and pilots for its robustness, ease of operation and its very competitive operating costs.
It is equipped with a Hexagone brand large format DMC® digital camera, a console dedicated to the handling of the camera and a screen to allow the pilot to line up with the axes of the flight plan defined in advance. The DMC digital system will replace the film-based photography equipment that has been used until now. Substantial technical support for the aerial photography is provided. It is based on test flights, image processing, and aerial triangulation. It is important to point out that there is also a very substantial training program that accompanies this technical support. Ten or so people from the Office de Topographie et de Cartographie of Tunisia (OTC) will receive 3 weeks of initial training at the El-Aouina air base in Tunis. The cycle will be supplemented by advanced training in France, and then again in Tunisia. IGN France International will be in charge of it.
