Background
The 2D animation presentations below combine smoothed RADAR data, flight path interpolation, map images, and prerecorded audio into a multimedia presentation. These presentations are useful for understanding and explaining aircraft position relative to time and for hearing radio communications in context.
The animations below were all produced around 2005 or before. Satellite and aerial image availability has improved significantly since then.
2D Animation Sample #1
This example shows an accident that occurred near Newark. The disoriented accident aircraft was near two commercial flights. The 2D animation helped show the spatial relationships as time progressed.
2D Animation Sample #2
This example shows a 2D animation over 1-meter resolution satellite images. The original map images are color-infrared (CIR) satellite photographs. This particular accident contains radio communication audio only at the end of the flight.
2D Animation Sample #3
This demo shows a 2D animation over topographic map images. It includes elevation data so that the above-ground-level (AGL) can be shown at each RADAR return.
2D Animation Sample #4
This is an older 2D animation using a standard streets type map. (Satellite imagery of the entire area covered by the flight was not available at the time.) This animation is based on the accident described by NTSB ID:FTW99FA262. In this particular accident, the location of various airports are important when the pilot signals he is having engine trouble. At this point in the animation, the presentation shows popup-up windows with details of the available airports. As the flight continues, the presentation automatically transitions to a satellite map to show the flight path towards the pilot's selected airport in detail. At the end of the available radar data, a close-up of the airport is shown while the audio continues to play.
