Beech Model 350C Super King Air

The twin-engine Super King Air was formerly matriculated as HB-GII. This machine with an operational ceiling of 10,000 m, was taken into service by the Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo) on 30 November 1993 as replacement for the Rockwell Grand Commander 680FL which was only matriculated as civilian aircraft. It is equipped with two precision aerial photography cameras and a GPS navigation system. It flies at a constant altitude for surveying.

The machine is primarily flown for updating the Swiss national maps at 6-year intervals. Furthermore, flights are made to map forest damage, hydrology and glaciology or to record environmental incidents such as rock fall and floods. Depending on requirements, monochrome, colour/slide or pseudo colour / infrared equipment is used for these assignments. Due to its high cruising speed and range, the aircraft is also suitable for international projects. In 1997, parts of Kyrgyzstan (8,600 km²) were overflown for the DFA/SDA to make a land and estate register for GIS applications. In 2000 and 2001, the province of Kosovo was also fully (9,600 km²) surveyed for the UN mission in Kosovo to enable digital ortho photo applications. Operations are given by the Federal Office of Topography (DDPS) and carried out by members of the Professional Pilot Corps (BFK) of the Air Reconnaissance Service agency (FD LA) of the Air Force Operations staff.

Updating of national maps: Scale 1:30,000, approx. 15,000ft/GND

Special tasks: Scales from 1:1,500 to 1:72,000 can be flown, this results in flight altitudes of 1,500ft/GND - FL 350

Experience with the survey aircraft
This aircraft is extremely well suited for survey tasks within the scale window of 1:5,000 to 1:70,000 and can with limitations be used for a scale down to 1:1,500. The survey cameras whose movements are compensated (FMC) are equipped with high resolution lenses provide maximum quality pictures. The engine power and the pressurised cabin enable extensive operations at high altitudes. The combination of navigation systems / auto pilot and camera system considerably enhances productivity. Due to the high cruising speed, unproductive flight time to and from the areas of operation is minimised. Thanks to the modular construction of the system and the cargo door, the aircraft can be reconfigured in a short time and used for transports for example.