This end product was achieved through GAIA, Geo-processing of Aerial Image Acquisition. This software was written through Research System Incorporated (RSI), interfaced by Remote Measurement Services LLC (RMS) and developed by and for Helicopter Applicators Incorporated (HAI). GAIA allows quick and accurate results to be viewable in ArcView GIS for species to species comparisons and/or yearly comparisons.

GAIA is designed to be quicker and more accurate than other geo-processing software, and is a first through ENVI to be able to handle large data cubes (over 47,000 lines of data).  This was an RSI break through too. GAIA’s main goal is georeference and/or georectify large hyperspectral cubes and analyses and produces these straight into ArcView GIS.  Therefore eliminating many additional steps and files, saving time and storage space.

GAIA processes cubes through geo-rectification and/or geo-referencing. It takes into account DEM or WGS84 planar values, pitch, roll and yaw from the aircraft, has adjustable output projection to meet the specifications of clientele, and can output the imagery straight into an ENVI or Arcview GIS image file, as well as process regions of interest straight into GIS as shapefiles.

Each species, weather an invasive plant or a hemlock tree, are defined through proprietary software by RMS, reading spectral signatures. These species are delivered to HAI and are georeferenced. The georeferenced data is produced in seconds, as GIS ready shapefiles, and envi vectors.  Each species is its own shapefile. This allows easy viewing of species comparisons, which therefore allows for yearly comparisons.

Helicopter Applicators, Inc. 1670 York Rd  Gettysburg, PA 17325