Patent ID: 8300096

Claim:
A system for updating an obstruction database wherein the obstruction database stores data comprising geospatial data concerning hazards to aviation, the system comprising: a mobile platform wherein the mobile platform measures a platform distance from the mobile platform to a target, wherein the mobile platform determines a platform altitude indicating an altitude of the mobile platform, wherein the mobile platform measures an elevation angle indicating an angle between horizontal and a line from the mobile platform to the target, and wherein the target is a hazard to aviation; an analysis module that accepts the platform distance, the platform altitude, and the elevation angle and calculates a target height; a presentation module that presents the target height or altitude to a user; and a database updating module that updates the obstruction database to record the target as a hazard to aviation, wherein an operator points a camera to the top and bottom of the target to obtain a respective elevation angle for measuring the height of the target.