second for super 8. For video work, the shutter speed should be set to 1/500 second or higher. When shooting, you must keep the camera steady, keep your upper body and the camera from making contact with the aircraft, and make any necessary pans slowly and smoothly. Fixed-wing aircraft should make a gentle arc around the subject (into the wind) at moderate speed and with a few degrees of flap. On occasion,  you  may  be  filming  a  fast-moving  activity  on the ground. Again, the technique of flying an arc around the subject is often best because you are moving faster than the action below. You need a zoom lens or a camera with a turret and different focal-length lenses to change your view of the subject. However, avoid the temptation  to  overuse  the  zooming  technique  while shooting. Instead, change the focal length between scenes to obtain variety and interest in your images. The problem of maintaining a steady image is greatly magnified when you must shoot with a long focal-length  lens.  In  these  circumstances,  you  should use a gyrostabilizer, if it is available. A gyrostabilizer is an aerial camera mount that uses a gyroscope to maintain  camera  stability. PROCESSING AERIAL FILM Because of the cost involved, the importance or urgency of the images, and the situations involved in obtaining aerial images, it is extremely important to process images under optimum conditions and the images be free of physical or chemical defects. Film processors must be checked and verified according   to   the   quality-assurance   procedures established  by  your  imaging  facility.  Processing solutions,  machine  speeds,  and  temperatures  must  be checked with sensitometric tests and verifed to comply with  the  processing  instructions  indicated  on  the mission  planning  form.  Each  aerial  film-processing work center should have an established family of curves for each type of film used. Camera exposure settings are  based  on  the  expected  response  (speed)  of  a particular emulsion developed to a specified gamma in a particular type of chemistry at a specified temperature. If you deviate from the planned processing parameters, it  affects  the  degree  of  development  of  the  imagery  and may   render   the   imagery   unusable.   The   photo processing crew is the key to success or failure of the entire reconnaissance mission. MISSION PLANNING FORM The mission planning form (fig. 4-29) is used with TARPS. It is a tool of communication between the reconnaissance   coordinator,   squadron   maintenance personnel, and imaging facility personnel. The form is divided  into  three  basic  areas  of  responsibility:  mission data, maintenance, and processing data. The section of primary  interest  to  you  is  the  mission  data  and processing  data. Mission Data Section After reconnaissance mission requirements are established, the sensor or group of sensors best suited to fulfill the requirements are selected. The mission planner  should  enter  the  sensors,  the  appropriate  sensor IDS, the types of film, and the processing gamma of the types of film. The mission planning form should then be forwarded to the aircraft maintenance personnel and to the photo personnel. This data may then be used to equip the aircraft for the mission. The data also allows the imaging facility to make preparations for processing the  film. Maintenance   Section After receiving the mission planning form, the line maintenance  personnel  begin  preparing  the  sensors, associated equipment, and aircraft for the mission. As various  tasks  are  completed,  the  Maintenance  section  of the form is completed by maintenance personnel. When the aircraft returns from the mission, the film is removed,  and  the  appropriate  postflight  counter  settings are entered in the Maintenance section of the form by maintenance  personnel.  The  film,  along  with  the mission planning form, is then delivered to the imaging facility for processing. Processing  Data  Section The film is processed according to the information entered in the Mission Data section of the form. The film processing results are entered in the Processing Data section of the form. The film is then evaluated for image quality and appropriate entries are also made in the Processing Data section of the form. Finally, the completed  mission  planning  form  is  returned  to  the reconnaissance coordinator for purposes of debriefing and  filing. 4-35