Abstract: A system for generating an image of a region of interest (ROI) from a flying aircraft using a light detection and ranging (lidar) system that includes a transmitter, a receiver, an inertial navigation system, a scanning system, and a system control and a data processing computer. The transmitter includes a pulsed laser. The receiver includes a sensor to detect light scattered and reflected from the ROI. The scanning system uses a field-of-view (FOV) of the transmitter and receiver to interrogate a field-of-regard (FOR) during a flight over the ROI, and the FOV angle is narrower than the FOR angle. The system also includes a software application that divides the ROI into collection unit (CU) areas, and for each CU determines area characteristics, estimates one or more flight paths required to collect CU area data, and determines settings of the sensor for collecting the CU area data.

Abstract: A reverse switch activation mechanism includes forward and reverse pedals connected to a control arm for pivoting the control arm in first and second directions. A cam surface extends from the control arm and activates a reverse switch if the reverse pedal is partially depressed. A transmission control rod is connected to the control arm through a lost motion slot and moves rearwardly if the reverse pedal is depressed further after activating the reverse switch. A control rod keeper on the control arm biases the control rod pin to a first side of the lost motion slot.