Working week - Lyndon Yorke

Years of experience with myriad sensors fitted to a wealth of aircraft around the globe led Lyndon Yorke to set up Trackair Services, where he now brokers resources and solves problems for international operations

What does an aerial survey consultant do?

Having a very long involvement in aerial survey operations, working with all types of sensors fitted to numerous types of aircraft and working for global aerial survey operators, I am well placed to solve logistical, flying, crew, planning, training and flight permissions for the global aerial survey community.

My role also involves advising and sourcing aircraft suitable for aerial survey operations, facilitating crew training and setting up operations from scratch. Typical recent projects have been establishing a Europe-wide operation running 12 aircraft fitted with special sensors.

© Trackair Services Yorke: a reputation around the world for getting the job done

These days any type of development project, environmental study or oil/mineral exploration requires up-to-date aerial survey data. A few years ago there was only photo survey for mapping, but these days the demand for lidar (light detection and ranging) optical remote sensing technology and other sensor types is ever growing .

Many people think we are being replaced by satellites and unmanned air vehicles, but not so. Satellites have limited usage on data resolution and UAVs able to carry large format equipment are more expensive to operate than conventional platforms.

How did you get into aviation?

When I got my first bicycle aged nine, I accidently discovered Elstree aerodrome, got totally hooked and eventually cleaned aircraft in return for flights. Then with the Air Training Corps I progressed further into the world of flying but failed to get into the Royal Air Force because of poor eyesight. Based at Elstree was what was at the time the world's largest aerial survey operator. The firm took me on as a trainee flight survey navigator.

What were the best aircraft you flew on in those days?

Aerial survey companies tended to use older/vintage aeroplanes as they were fairly easily modified for aerial survey (floor hatches, long range and weight-carrying capacity), so I was privileged to operate in Douglas DC-3s, de Havilland Doves and Rapides, Beech 18, Avro Ansons, Edgar Percival EP9s - all were wonderful. The Rapide was my favourite (as well as being the original stealth aeroplane as radar could never find us).

How did Trackair Services come about?

After many years overseas working for various operators, I decided to set up Trackair and hire myself out not only to fly but manage/run projects in difficult locations. I built a reputation for getting the job done. Then with a good international client base, I progressed to covering all aspects, including brokering resources for international operations and in particular solving operational and logistical problems.

The best parts of the job?

Meeting/working with the world's aerial survey fraternity; travelling to interesting locations; and discovering vintage aeroplanes in far-flung places where normal people do not get to. Every project and client is different - this alone makes the job so interesting.

What advice would you give a young person interested in specialising in your field of aviation?

Don't even think about it unless you are prepared to lead a non-routine life dictated by the weather. For pilots starting out, offer your services free or cheap to survey companies to get some precision-flying experience.

For systems operators/navigators, get in at the bottom as a data processor, then volunteer to operate sensors. It is essential to be a diplomat, versatile and think out of the box.

Source: Flight International