Which instruments are used in aerial triangulation, compilation and feature extraction using high-precision cameras mounted on an aircraft?

• A. Total stations
• B. GNSS receiver
• C. Conventional surveying instruments
• D. Aerial photogrammetric instruments

Answer: (D)

In aerial photogrammetry, the measurements and data extraction from imagery captured by aircraft require instruments designed to work with photographs rather than ground-based measurements. Aerial photogrammetric instruments are built for processing high-precision aerial imagery, enabling aerial triangulation to determine accurate camera orientation and 3D coordinates, as well as compilation and feature extraction to produce maps and models. Tools like total stations, GNSS receivers, or conventional surveying instruments are geared toward terrestrial surveying and positioning, not the specialized workflow of aerial imagery. So, the instruments used in this context are aerial photogrammetric instruments.