Thursday, February 10, 2011

Community Surveyors Experience Significance of GRAV-D Airborne Operation

On February 5, the National Geodetic Survey's (NGS) California State Geodetic Advisor gathered 22 surveyors from the local community to view NGS' Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) airborne operation working out of McClellan Field in Sacramento, CA. The guests were given an opportunity to observe how an airborne gravity survey is conducted by viewing the instrumentation on board the aircraft. The experience also led to a better understanding of how NGS operates GPS base stations. Airborne operators escorted the surveyors and answered their questions. Opportunities such as these allow local surveying professionals to observe GRAV-D operations, necessary to prepare the user community for transitioning to a new national vertical reference system. For more information, contact Vicki Childers.