A recent documentary by the Discovery Channel, titled Finding Amelia, highlights a significant expedition aimed at uncovering the fate of Amelia Earhart. The SPH Engineering team participated in this mission, bringing advanced drone-based technology to the dense jungles of Papua New Guinea in the ongoing quest to solve one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.
From an article in Drone Life by Miriam McNabb.
The Legacy of Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 while attempting to become the first woman to fly around the world. Despite numerous efforts, neither she nor her aircraft has ever been found. Over the decades, many theories and expeditions have sought to uncover the truth behind her disappearance. The recent Finding Amelia documentary marks the latest effort in this enduring search.
Nearly two years before the expedition, SPH Engineering was invited to join the mission, following their successful operations in Greenland. Their task was to assist in the search for Earhart’s aircraft using drone-mounted magnetometers in the challenging environment of Papua New Guinea’s New Britain island.
Preparing for the Mission
The planning phase for this mission began in February 2021. The team conducted experimental tests to detect aircraft engines using drone-mounted magnetometers. These tests laid the foundation for the technology later employed in the field. The team analyzed satellite imagery and elevation maps to study the terrain, crucial for mission preparation. Their analysis suggested that the average vegetation height would permit the detection of aircraft engines using the magnetometer.
Upon arrival in Papua New Guinea in 2021, the SPH Engineering team deployed a suite of drones equipped with magnetometers, LiDAR, and photogrammetry tools. The initial step involved using a small drone to create precise maps of the search area, essential for planning subsequent flights. These maps were followed by LiDAR scanning from a safe altitude, which was used to build Digital Surface Models (DSM) and Digital Terrain Models (DTM) for magnetic survey planning.
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