What might be the reason that a PLS license from the state is required in some states to do aerial mapping? Why wouldn't a license from any state, or a Certified Photogrammetrist (which is not state specific) be acceptable? I don't think the knowledge required to produce a map from aerial imagery varies by location.
I have seen that some states grandfather in a CP. Of course they are not supposed to do surveying, but why make a CP a PLS without taking a state LS test?
I can only speak on what is required in California which has 'photogrammetry', 'topographic surveying', and use of California Coordinates written into the Professional Land Surveyors' Act as requiring a licensed land surveyor to perform the work or oversee the work in responsible charge.
I used to do a lot of photo-control, but only worked where I or someone in the company was licensed
John, now you have stepped in it!
SHG
John Hamilton, post: 413878, member: 640 wrote: What might be the reason that a PLS license from the state is required in some states to do aerial mapping?
In some states a PLS licence is required to do topographic mapping for hire.
In Oregon Engineers can do topographic mapping, but local agencies require that "existing conditions mapping" that goes along with land use applications be done by a PLS.
John Hamilton, post: 413878, member: 640 wrote: What might be the reason that a PLS license from the state is required in some states to do aerial mapping? Why wouldn't a license from any state, or a Certified Photogrammetrist (which is not state specific) be acceptable? I don't think the knowledge required to produce a map from aerial imagery varies by location.
I have seen that some states grandfather in a CP. Of course they are not supposed to do surveying, but why make a CP a PLS without taking a state LS test?
The knowledge doesn't vary any more than boundary law. Site specific stuff still applies though. But yeah, some of it's just economic turf warfare. The answer is some states have a strong surveying lobby in the political system of the state. But don't get mad at surveyors; heck, engineers have captured damn near anything you can think of.
All I know is that I had to spend a lot of time studying for photogrammetry when taking the California LS test when my time would have been much better used learning case law or how to brief a legal case. 1 call to the photogramertrist and all the information I needed as the ground surveyor was provided. Such as target size, general placement, accuracy. How to check the photogramertrist final mapping was useful, but I still have never used the 20 hours of class time I took on how to calibrate a the fidutial marks on a 9" camera :). Jp
P.s. spelling nazis, Please forgive any spelling or punctuation errors :). Thank you, Jp
John Hamilton, post: 413878, member: 640 wrote: What might be the reason that a PLS license from the state is required in some states to do aerial mapping? Why wouldn't a license from any state, or a Certified Photogrammetrist (which is not state specific) be acceptable? I don't think the knowledge required to produce a map from aerial imagery varies by location.
I have seen that some states grandfather in a CP. Of course they are not supposed to do surveying, but why make a CP a PLS without taking a state LS test?
In Virginia, when the board added regulations for topographic surveys, the photogrammetrist license was created and some were grandfathered to licensed as a Land Surveyor Photogrammetrist.
Jp7191, post: 413921, member: 1617 wrote: All I know is that I had to spend a lot of time studying for photogrammetry when taking the California LS test when my time would have been much better used learning case law or how to brief a legal case. 1 call to the photogramertrist and all the information I needed as the ground surveyor was provided. Such as target size, general placement, accuracy. How to check the photogramertrist final mapping was useful, but I still have never used the 20 hours of class time I took on how to calibrate a the fidutial marks on a 9" camera :). Jp
P.s. spelling nazis, Please forgive any spelling or punctuation errors :). Thank you, Jp
I get it JP, but you as the land surveyor are the responsible party by law and assuming you added your seal and signature to the resulting topographic map, those photogrammetrists that knew the ins and outs of their tasks were just working as technicians under your license.
20 hours does seem excessive though. That doesn't appear to correlate well with the percentage of questions/points associated with photogrammetry on the published test plan even back when you took the exam. The test plan then had a higher percentage of content/points related to boundary which would justify more study/preparation time.
Ric Moore, post: 414007, member: 731 wrote: I get it JP, but you as the land surveyor are the responsible party by law and assuming you added your seal and signature to the resulting topographic map, those photogrammetrists that knew the ins and outs of their tasks were just working as technicians under your license.
20 hours does seem excessive though. That doesn't appear to correlate well with the percentage of questions/points associated with photogrammetry on the published test plan even back when you took the exam. The test plan then had a higher percentage of content/points related to boundary which would justify more study/preparation time.
I thought that is why we (as a survey/engineering firm) hired a Liscenced photogrammetry shop to compile the information, I was relying on them as more than a technition (excluding the obvious busts or mistakes, i.e. that is why a topo check was always performed). The 20 hours on fidutial marks is an exaggeration but it sure seemed like 20 hours. Jp
