1. Garmin VIRB Elite Camera
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron
28 Mar 2016, V4
DRAFT
This presentation provides an overview of the Garmin VIRB Elite Camera and how PPSS will use it.

2. Agenda Project Definition Garmin VIRB Elite Case Contents
Mission Preparation & Planning
Using the Garmin VIRB
Uploading Images & Maintenance
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

3. Project Definition Using the Garmin VIRB Elite Camera provides:
Fast delivery of imagery
Sufficient detail for initial damage assessment
Simple to use system of cameras and mounts
Ability for use with all disaster types
Reference: “Garmin VIRB Camera Kit & FEMA Uploader Training”, Templeton & Desmarais, 1-Mar-16
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

4. Garmin VIRB Elite Case Contents
The Pelican case contains:
Garmin VIRB Elite Camera
microSD Memory Card, 64GB (1)
USB / mini-USB Cable
Four-port USB Hub and Cable
Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 & USB / Power Cable
Camera Batteries (3)
Camera Battery Charger
Camera Dive Case
Camera Mounting Pads & Accessories
Manuals
Cleaning Supplies
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

5. Mission Preparation & Planning
Mission Preparation Overview
Turn on tablet
Check battery level
Start VIRB application
Turn on camera
Pair the tablet and camera
Using the tablet, check camera settings
Internal antenna is located along the top back of the device. Do not block the antenna, doing so may affect signal quality and may cause the device to operate at a higher power level than is necessary.
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

6. Mission Preparation & Planning
Tablet
Turn on tablet (side of unit)
Check battery level (upper right)
Battery, Wi-Fi &
GPS icons, Time
Battery Icons
Tablet User ID/Password
User ID: CAP (on back of tablet)
Password: camera
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

7. Mission Preparation & Planning
Garmin VIRB Elite Camera
Video
Record
Button
Inspect camera for dirt / damage
Turn on camera
Erase microSD card
Check battery level (top right)
Power Light
Charging = Orange
Charged = Green
Recording = Red
Battery
Status
Display
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

8. Mission Preparation & Planning
Pairing the Tablet and the Camera
Turn on VIRB camera. Keep camera near tablet, within range.
Turn on tablet. Sign in with User ID/Password, if needed.
From home page, swipe screen to unlock.
Start the VIRB application.
“Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your VIRB” by tapping on “Connect”. The network name will be: VIRB-8876.
If prompted for a Wi-Fi password: garminvirb (lowercase).
A connected message will display.
Press the return icon.
The camera image should now appear on the tablet’s screen.
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

9. Mission Preparation & Planning
Review camera configuration settings on tablet:
Select the wrench icon at the bottom of the tablet screen.
Camera
Locate camera: Ignore
Video
Mode: 1080p
Interval: 10 Seconds
Field of View: Ultra-Zoom
Loop: Off
Auto Record: Off
Stills (Images)
Resolution: 16 MP
Burse Mode: Not Selected
Self Timer: 10 Seconds
Repeat: Selected
Date Stamp: Not Selected
Advanced
Lens Correction: Selected*
Digital Stabilizer: Selected
Flip Camera: Not Selected
GPS: On
Recording Light: Not Selected
Tones: Not Selected
Power Save: Not Selected
Microphone: Not Selected
After settings are verified on the tablet, press the return icon.
*Lens correction will reduce edge distortion (less fish eye).
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

10. Mission Preparation & Planning
Flight planning:
Boundaries of the area must be defined.
Routes will vary based upon the area covered.
Fly in the afternoon when the sun is high in the sky. Not within 3 hours of sunrise or sunset.
Plan to fly up or downwind, avoid crosswinds.
CAP grids probably will not work as they will not conform to the mission needs.
Reference: “Garmin VIRB Elite Camera” April 2015, CAWG
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

11. Mission Preparation & Planning
Flight planning:
Create your own parallel tracks when doing a large area.
Consider elevation changes, direction of travel, no change is better.
If route is a river or a curvy highway consider flying one side then the other to get wider coverage.
G1000 autopilot aircraft strongly recommended.
Nadir is the point vertically beneath the camera center at the time of exposure, or the point directly below the observer. Aerial Nadir: Taken from straight above.
Reference: “Garmin VIRB Elite Camera” April 2015, CAWG
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

12. Mission Preparation & Planning
Flight profile #1:
2500 AGL, 100 KTS GS, ½ mile grid
Camera at 10 second intervals
Flight profile yields:
2500 AGL, 100 KTS GS => ~57% Endlap
Endlap is overlap along the flight path.
½ mile grid (line to line) => ~100% Sidelap
Sidelap is overlap flight path to flight path.
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

13. Mission Preparation & Planning
Flight profile #2:
1500 AGL, 100 KTS GS, ½ mile grid
Camera at 10 second intervals
Flight profile yields:
1500 AGL, 100 KTS GS => ~24% Endlap
Endlap is overlap along the flight path.
½ mile grid (line to line) => ~61% Sidelap
Sidelap is overlap flight path to flight path.
Path 1
Path 2
Path 3
½ mile
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

14. Mission Preparation & Planning
Flight profile #3: PPSS is experimenting with additional approaches.
1000 – 1200 AGL, 100 KTS GS, ½ mile grid
Camera at 10 second intervals
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

15. Mission Preparation & Planning
Things to remember:
All PPSS planes are equipped with camera mounts (right wing).
Erase the microSD card before / after each mission, as needed.
Ensure the tablet and camera batteries (3) are charged prior to a mission.
Battery life is about 3 hours, plan no more than 2.5 hours (include time to mission target).
During a mission
VIRB Camera: Pack an extra charged battery.
Tablet: 12V adapter and tablet USB cable can be used in CAP planes.
Do not have more than one VIRB application (tablet / smartphone) running at a time.
Temperature limitations: Do not use the camera below 5°F (-15°C).
Do not press the red button for images, only used for recording video.
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

16. Using the Garmin VIRB
Slide camera into the dive case and secure the cover.
The side recording button should be on the same side as the black slider on the dive case.
The side recording button should be in the back position (as shown).
Before mounting the camera, check wing mounting screw to ensure it is clean and secure to the wing.
Attach the camera to the right wing:
Thread the camera base adapter to the external wing mount and tighten.
Double-check camera screen:
“Press any key to continue” message should not be on the screen.
The power light should be solid green
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

17. Using the Garmin VIRB
Before starting to the runway, turn the camera on using the camera icon to confirm the tablet and camera are still connected. Do not begin taxiing until this has been completed.
Once the camera has been started, a count down from 10 will be displayed. Then, a green bar will appear at the bottom of the tablet’s screen, along with the message “Live preview is not available while VIRB Elite is recording”.
Turn the camera off using the camera icon.
As you approach the target area, activate the camera. Using the tablet, select the camera icon. Do not select the red button!
To stop the camera, press the camera icon again.
After landing, remove camera/dive case. Inspect the external wing mount for debris or damage.
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

18. Using the Garmin VIRB Crew Resource Management: It is a team effort.
Pilot to fly plane. Talk to Air Traffic Control.
Observer to help navigate, operate radio to base (be the safety pilot, too).
AP/Scanner must record times, monitor routes, maps and position, and take notes.
Reference: “Garmin VIRB Elite Camera” April 2015, CAWG
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

19. Uploading Images To upload images from the Garmin VIRB camera:
Connect the camera to the laptop using the USB data cable (try to avoid removing microSD card as the mounting device is fragile).
The camera will turn on. The battery will begin charging [If PC is plugged in?]
If camera folder does not open, use Windows Explorer and navigate to the DCIM folder, then open the 8876_VIRB folder for the images.
Upload the images from the camera to a local folder on the laptop.
Once the images are confirmed to be on the computer, delete the images from the camera.
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

20. Uploading Images Using the FEMA ImageUploader application:
Mission Details:
Event: CAP TRAINING (actual mission: Supplied by NOC)
Team: MISSION NUMBER
Mission: SORTIE NUMBER
Optional:
Only used if pictures do not have GPS already imbedded in the metadata. Only needed if NMEA GPS* files are used.
Locate Images to be uploaded:
Browse to folder containing images
Select and upload. Upload time will depend on number of photos (JPEG Fine) and Internet connection speed.
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

21. Uploading Images Required Software Viewing Images Online
Use the FEMA ImageUploader Application (current version 0.82) to upload FEMA missions images.
Application and key are located on PPSS Web site (members only area), Repository / Documents / Emergency Services / Airborne Photography
Adobe AIR to run (Mac and PC):
Viewing Images Online
View photos (public site):
View photos (FEMA GeoPlatform – view map and control layers): a48bf2aaf
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

22. Uploading Images For non-FEMA missions Follow current AP procedures.
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

23. Other Content / Software
Best Practices
Garmin VIRB Best Practices and FAQs to be posted on the NESA Web site:
Geometry of Aerial Photography
Article link: html
Garmin VIRB Camera Manuals: PPSS Web Site
Owner’s Manual
Quick Reference Guide
Garmin VIRB Application for Apple and Android devices
Apple: iTunes
Android: Google Play
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

24. Maintenance Camera and Tablet Wipe down camera and tablet
Wipe camera with a soft, non-scratch cloth dampened with water or alcohol.
Wipe tablet with a soft, non-scratch cloth.
Do not use dry cloth to clean camera lens to avoid damaging the fog- resistant coating on lens.
Clean dive case
Wash with mild cleaner to remove bugs and other debris.
Charge batteries
Tablet
Camera: Use cable or battery charger
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

25. Maintenance Accessing the microSD Memory Card
Use the USB data cable to access the microSD card to:
Upload images
Delete images
Second Method: Deleting images on the microSD card
Turn on VIRB camera
Select MODE > SETUP > CARD > ERASE > OK
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

26. Maintenance Lithium-ion Battery Installing the battery pack
Turn D-ring counter-clockwise, lift up and remove cover.
Insert battery, align contacts.
Replace battery cover, turn D-ring clockwise.
Charging the battery pack
In camera charging:
Lift weather cap (1)
Plug the small end of the USB cable into mini-USB port (2)
Plug the USB end of the cable into the AC adapter or computer USB port.
LED: Orange while charging. Green when fully charged.
Using battery charger:
Place battery in charger, plug in [charger lights?].
Battery life: Up to 3 hours, plan for 2.5 hours (approx photos at 10 seconds)
Warning: To avoid data loss, always turn off device before removing battery.
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016

27. Closing
Pikes Peak Senior Squadron, v4
28 Mar 2016