EAASI Company: AVT Airborne Sensing
Project Overview
Mountain glaciers are among the most visible indicators of climate change, with their rapid retreat posing significant environmental challenges. To improve glacier monitoring, AVT Airborne Sensing conducted a pioneering thermal and RGB imaging flight over the Pasterzenkees glacier at Großglockner. This project demonstrates how airborne thermography can complement satellite and UAV observations, bridging the gap between large-scale coverage and high-resolution detail.
Technical Approach
AVT Airborne’s cutting-edge system integrates three imaging sensors with a GNSS/INS navigation system, mounted on a gyro-stabilized Somag GSM 3000/4000 platform. Designed in collaboration with IGI GmbH, the setup includes two uncooled thermal cameras equipped with microbolometers, covering a spectral range that enables detailed temperature variation analysis. The third sensor, a Phase One iXM150 RS RGB camera, provides high-resolution optical imagery for enhanced surface classification.
The flight, conducted under clear conditions, achieved a ground resolution of 60 cm (thermal) and 10 cm (RGB), with 90% longitudinal and 60% transverse overlap, ensuring comprehensive stereoscopic coverage. Thermal data captured long-wave infrared radiation (LWIR/TIR), translating it into temperature values that provide insights into glacier surface conditions.
Results and Benefits
This study highlights airborne thermography’s potential in glaciology:
Debris Layer Thickness Estimation – Determining the insulating effect of debris on glacier melt rates.
Energy Balance Model Validation – Supporting climate and hydrological modeling with precise surface temperature data.
Surface Classification and Meltwater Runoff Analysis – Identifying active melt zones and improving hydrological forecasting.
By integrating thermal imaging with high-resolution RGB data, AVT Airborne’s project contributes to understanding cryosphere dynamics and the impacts of climate change on mountain glaciers. This innovative approach offers a scalable solution for future glacial monitoring efforts.
This case study appeared for the first time in the article How can aerial surveying help to monitor climate change? published by GIM International.
Learn more about how other EAASI members utilize crewed aerial technology to address global challenges in our Use Cases series, a dedicated section showcasing real-world applications, and achievements by EAASI’s diverse members.
This collection of use cases highlights the unique advantages and capabilities of crewed aerial surveying in various fields, from environmental monitoring to infrastructure planning.
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