FLIR Flashcards
FLIR
Forward Looking Infrared - Uses thermal (IR) detectors to detect Radio Frequency (RF) heat energy, measuring the temperature differences between objects and their environment to display a black and white heat signature.
3 atmospheric molecules that most affect FLIR performance
- Water2. Carbon Dioxide3. Ozone
Conditions that hinder FLIR’s operational capabilities
High humidity, clouds, dust, and smoke
Most important environmental factor affecting FLIR’s performance
The atmosphere, because it can reduce thermal energy, thereby weakening the level of energy that reaches the FLIR
Anti-Icing for the FLIR
IR window has anti-icing controlled automatically by the MC
SEU (System Electronics Unit)
Converts electrical signals from the Turreted FLIR Unit into television video and routes it to the MFDs
Function of the Display Electronics Units (DEU) in the FLIR System
Receive FLIR video signals from the SEU and condition them for the MFD display
What happens when a DEU fails
The MFDs on the failed side mirror the MFDs on the good side
Normal cool down period of the FLIR, and what advisory is associated
7-10 minutes, will receive a FLIR VIDEO READY alert once this has occurred
GAIN Key on the FLIR CDU Entry Control Layer
Controls the contrast of detected thermal signals displayed on the MFD. A high level increases the ability to detect small differences in temperature in high temperature environments, and increases the intensity of bright objects relative to dark objects
FF ELEV Key on the FLIR CDU Entry Control Layer
Edits/displays the FLIR Fixed Forward Elevation angle preset from +5 to -90 degrees, the default is -5 degrees.
FOV Switch on the Track Handle
Field of View - Toggles through 3 FOVs: Narrow, Medium, and Wide
Field of Regard
Turret’s rotational limits
Field of Regard Ranges
+/-210 degrees for azimuth+40 degrees and -140 degrees for elevation (wide and medium FOV)+15 degrees and -140 degrees for elevation (narrow FOV)
Field of View
Instantaneous angular size of the total display scene
Narrow FOV
5 degrees horizontal and vertical rangesslow turret slew rate
Medium FOV
30 degrees horizontal and vertical rangesfast turret slew rate
Wide FOV
40 degrees horizontal and 30 degrees vertical ranges fast turret slew rate
POL button on the track handle
Polarity - Allow toggling between white hot and black hot
MAN Button on the track handle
Manual - Allows toggling between the selected mode and Manual mode, allowing the use of the SLEW switch
LACE Switch on the Track Handle
Local Area Contrast Enhancement - Increases contrast within the selected area when the switch is ON. Pushing the switch forward toggles between ON and OFF, and pushing it backward adjusts viewing sizes between Small, Medium and Large
FPV Mode of FLIR
Flight Path Vector - Automatically slews FLIR pointing angle to the flight path direction , providing a visual indication of impact.
How can FPV mode be used during landing
Used to set a glideslope to the intended point of landing by placing the FPV on the intended point of landing
How can the FPV mode be useful during forward flight
In mountainous areas, by placing the FPV above the terrain normally assures ground clearance
Fixed Forward (FWD) mode of FLIR
Automatically points the FLIR turret forward along the aircraft centerline
Manual (MAN) FLIR Mode
Allows the pilot to manually position the FLIR LOS using the track handle
Scan (SCAN) FLIR Mode
Defines an area for FLIR LOS to scan within a selected azimuth range
What does pressing the Slew/Capture switch on the Track Handle do when in the SCAN mode
Re-centers the scan about a new center point
Point (PT) Mode of FLIR
Uses sub modes which combine the capabilities of Mission Management, INS, Digital Map, and FLIR and direct FLIR LOS for specific pointing functions
Waypoint (WPT) Submode of FLIR Point Mode
Allows selecting of a waypoint on the CDU to direct the FLIR LOS. If a Flight Plan is active it will default to the next waypoint in the flight plan
PT FLIR Submode of FLIR Point Mode
Use the Track Handle or TCL to point the FLIR LOS to any location on the MFD
PT HOOK Submode of FLIR Point Mode
Use the track handle to hook a waypoint or threat on the digital map in order to direct the FLIR LOS. This requires 2 MFDs on the same side one for the FLIR display and one for the Map display
PT CORD Submode of the FLIR Point Mode
Allows entering Latitude and Longitude coordinates or Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) position on the CDU to direct FLIR LOS.
Point Track Map (PT MAP) Submode of the FLIR Point Mode
Allows the use of the Track Handle to select any position on the Digital Map to direct FLIR LOS. It is a variant of the PT HOOK submode and also requires 2 MFDs
Difference between PT HOOK and PT MAP submodes of the FLIR Point Mode
With PT MAP, instead of hooking a waypoint, any map position may be designated for FLIR viewing
