Multicamera

Integrated
Digital
Acquisition
System

LEADAIR INC
113 S. Hoagland Boulevard
KISSIMMEE FLORIDA 34741
TrackAir.com +1 (407) 343-7571
support@trackair.com

A standard configuration, comprising one vertical view and four, 45

views, the Midas 5 is in use worldwide, with over 100 systems delivered to date, and millions of images professionally produced yearly.
The system is highly configurable, with lens configurations ranging
from very short, low-level 25/35mm pairs to the longest 300/400mm
objective assemblies requiring specialized, high-altitude platforms and
specially trained operators.

LENS COMBINATIONS
NADIR

OBLIQUE

(RATIO)

25mm
35mm

35mm
50mm

1:1.4
1:1.4

50mm

85mm

1:1.7

85mm

100mm

1:1.2

100mm

135mm

1:1.4

135mm

180mm

1:1.4

(SPECIAL SYSTEMS)
180mm

250mm

1:1.4

200mm

300mm

1:1.5

300mm

400mm

1:1.3

GSD TABLES for different lenses and altitudes demonstrate the flexibility of
the MIDAS systems. Using todays highest resolution sensors (up to 50MPx in
the full-frame, 24x36mm form factor) and the broad array of lenses available,
it is possible to achieve outstanding resolution and productivity for every job.

SINGLE CENTER BEARING PRINCIPLE

New in 2015, Midas multicamera arrays are delivered with a Single Center
Bearing suspension principle. Building on the unique PuppetAir principle,
with the entire camera array controlled by extension arms from above, the
Center Bearing principle affords the highest intrinsic precision in a multiplebar linkage system, through the precision of a single point,, while benefiting
from the unobstructed mechanical projection of a PuppetAir system. With
no control arms to get in the way or impede movement, the optical acquisition array may penetrate through the mounting hole in the most efficient
manner, allowing either smaller holes, or wider lenses than a mount with the
gimbal system coplanar with the optics.

MIDAS5
(Multi-camera Integrated Digital Acquisition System)
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS (GENERAL)
Power requirements ..................................................................... 24-28 Volts at 12-13 Amp
Size ............................................................................................... 19 x 13 x 15 inch (490 x 330 x 390
mm)
Navigation/camera control ............................................................ X-TRACK flight management system
GPS .............................................................................................. Integrated Garmin 18 or any external
receiver
FMS interface ............................................................................... Flat panel touch screen
Cameras ...............................................................................
tilted)

5 Nikon D-810 36 MP (1 vertical + 4

OR Canon 5DS 50 megapixel

Sensor .......................................................................................... 14 bits

Images .......................................................................................... 5 x 36 or 50 Mega pixel raw images
Image quality control .................................................................... Real time viewer with thumbnail display
Image storage ............................................................................... 6 x 250GB SATA SSD Drives
Performance ................................................................................. Better than 1 second interval with Nikon D810
Altitude .......................................................................................... Max 20,000 feet
Operation temperature ................................................................. 32-140 Fahrenheit (0-60 Celsius)
Shock/vibration ............................................................................. Pneumatic shock absorbers
IMU ............................................................................................... Integrated Applanix AP40 IMU
Technical specifications fully stabilized camera mount
Drift correction .............................................................................. Automatic ; Motorized +/- 30
Pitch/roll leveling ........................................................................... Automatic ; Motorized +/- 10
Camera angle ............................................................................... Fixed 45
Shock/vibration ............................................................................. Pneumatic shock absorbers
Aircraft Requirement
Any aircraft with a 19-Inch Camera Hole ...... Examples : Cessna 172/182/206 (other aircraft possible)
Weight and balance
Midas computer system w frame, POS, cables and disks ................

106 lbs 48 kg

Midas Mount and extension cylinder ...........................................................

75 lbs 34 kg

Midas array with cameras ...........................................................................

128 lbs 58 kg

Total .............................................................................................................

309 lbs 140 kg

MIDAS Hardware and Installation

THE MIDAS MULTICAMERA ARRAYSpace Age Engineering!

The MIDAS multi-camera array is a rigid construction, specifically engineered for precise
mounting of a single camera type. The cameras themselves are based on the highest resolution
image platforms available on the professional market - Nikon or Canon - these are then reengineered at LeadAir to form a rigid, mapping-grade imager assembly.
In order to achieve this scientific-grade optical performance from these systems, the lens mounts
must be replaced with a rigid assembly guaranteeing alignment and stability after final assembly.
This is the LeadAir CAM-LENS solution. The
CAM-LENS mounting hardware then allows each
imaging assembly to be precisely located in the
oblique mounting jig, to form an indissociable array unit.

The ruggedized optical mounts of each of the five

cameras are permanently mounted together in precise alignment in a geometrically orthogonal array,
machined to instrument standard precision in
LeadAirs manufacturing facilities. After alignment
and permanent assembly, the lenses are locked to
a precise, calibrated infinity focus, then encased in
rigid, metal sleeves so they cannot be jarred or inadvertently manipulated out of calibration.

The camera and lens assemblies are flight tested

individually, focused and locked, then assembled
into the rigid mount. The entire assembly is supplied in a 3-axis, servo-compensated mount, ready
for installation in the aircraft. The assembly is
mounted on the final mounting plate for your aircraft type, then flown one last time for a bore-sight
calibration, and delivered with the boresight data,
ready for immediate installation and production
runs with no further testing or alignment.

CONTROL RACK ASSEMBLIES

The MIDAS control racks are preassembled, integrated units containing all of the circuitry and
connectivity required to operate your MIDAS multicamera system. The control rack will usually
be placed in the rearmost seating area (seats removed) of a single-engine aircraft (e.g. C-206)
and in larger aircraft is compact enough to place in multiple positions, ahead of, alongside or behind the camera array. The tubular frame mount is extremely robust, and allows the unit to be
picked up and carried to and from the aircraft, as well as allowing multiple attach points to strap
the unit in place for flight. The control unit, like the camera array itself is not permanently mounted in the aircraft, and will not be included in the basic empty weight of the airplane, but must be
solidly attached before every flight, and its mass and station calculated into the weight and balance computation for that flight.

The MIDAS control unit contains several Single-Board-Computers, running an industrial version
of the Windows operating system to control all components of the MIDAS system. Only a
single, 24-28V connection at 20A is required from the aircraft. All displays, cameras, IMU, stabilized mount and external recording drives are controlled by the unit. There are no active controls
on the unit, and it is not necessary to have an operator able to reach the unit in flight, however
the solid-state hard drives which record the acquired images are contained behind the panel on
the front of the unit, and must be accessed before and after each flight.

THERES A PERFECT SPOT FOR A MIDAS SYSTEM

IN YOUR AIRCRAFT!
Because well make it for you! LeadAir is a world leader in customization to make systems that fit your needs and your capabilities!
Give us a callyou may find these systems are custom made to fit your BUDGET as well!

LEADAIR can provide assistance in locating service providers to adapt an existing

aircraft, but we do not provide any airframe
modification services. Aircraft holes may
be in different positions within an existing
airframe, due to the structural layout of the
aircraft and its systems, and not every position will be suitable for the MIDAS array.
Clients are urged to contact LEADAIR prior
to an anticipated installation to find out
whether the aircraft in question will be suitable. Drawings may be submitted, along
with engineering work concerning structure,
STC limitations and dimensions for consultation by LEADAIR engineers.
Clients are also urged to submit weight and
balance data for the intended aircraft, for
an estimation of the loading characteristics.
LEADAIR may also be able to assist with the actual installation of the equipment package in the
aircraft, whether in our facility in Kissimmee, or by dispatching an engineer to your site. Please be
aware however that LEADAIR cannot take responsibility for the modifications to your aircraft, installation of photography ports, or modifications to your electrical system. We will provide specifications, but we will not perform aircraft modifications, and we are not certified to approve them.
The MIDAS system is not a permanent installation in any aircraft. Both the camera array and the
control unit are placed in the aircraft and secured through temporary fasteners. The weight and
balance calculations may be performed in the same manner they would be for passengers or baggage, and no airframe weight modification is required.

Pilot and Operator Displays

The MIDAS system is designed for fully automated operation. With a flight plan loaded, the system
assures leveling, drift compensation and automatic firing throughout the mission, so long as the
aircraft is flown within acceptable tolerances of the predetermined flight lines. To accomplish this, a
track-up pilot display is indispensable for the pilot to guide the aircraft to the flight lines. No manipulation of the camera array or the mount is required during the flight mission, however an on-board
operator is required to monitor the system and to ensure all photography is being acceptably acquired. The operator will generally have two screens; A main system screen, showing thumbnail
images of all acquired photography, and an operator screen displaying the flight plan, so he/she
may work with the pilot and air traffic control in flying the mission.

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INSTALLING THE MIDAS PACKAGE.Pilot and Operator Displays

MOBILE OPTIONS : Aside the pilot and operator displays mentioned in the preceding section, the
Midas system may be operated with mobile tablet or phone devices, operating through the WiFi
interface, standard in the MIDAS control unit.
SNAP-SHOT MOBILE is an application running on Windows Tablet devices, capable of replacing
the wired display, in some cases offering greater mobility, flexibility and compactness. Yoke
mounts are commonly available for such devices, adaptable to the aircraft model(s) you will be flying.
While the MAIN (thumbnail) screen remains connected by cable to the MIDAS control unit, the Operator screen, also running SnapSHOT, may be loaded with the mobile app, and run on a tablet,
iPad, or Windows tablet.

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GPS/IMU SOLUTIONS
The MIDAS system has been supplied historically with many different IMU packages, and support may exist for your current IMU. Moreover, IMU technology is an ever-progressing technology, with new and better products available continuously. For this reason, the IMU section of this
manual must remain generic, as the IMUs are not manufactured by LeadAir, however any unit
purchased with an IMU will include a supplement on the IMU, its characteristics and its operation .

Your MIDAS5 system mat be delivered with an LN-200-type IMU, mounted to the assembly. This high-accuracy IMU is ready to go, and connects directly via two separate
cables to the control unit .

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