March 1999
Aerial Photographs


Aerial Photographs are usually exposed at scales from 1:10,000 to 1:50,000, varying slightly due to such factors as shrinkage or expansion of the paper caused by atmospheric conditions, uncertainty in the reported flight altitude, and ground relief. The ground area varies with the scale as follows:
 
SCALE AREA ONE SIDE
1:10,000 5.2 sq. km (2.0 sq. mi.) 2.29 km (1.42 mi.)
1:12,000 7.5 sq. km (2.9 sq. mi.) 2.74 km (1.70 mi.)
1:20,000 20.9 sq. km (8.1 sq. mi.) 4.57 km (2.84 mi.)
1:30,000 47.1 sq. km (18.1 sq. mi.) 6.86 km (4.26 mi.)
1:40,000 83.5 sq. km (32.3 sq. mi.) 9.14 km (5.68 mi.)
1:50,000 130.6 sq. km (50.4 sq. mi.) 11.43 km (7.10 mi.)

Photographs are indexed on 1:250,000-scale base maps, with a dot indicating the center position of each individual exposure. The first and last exposure of a line, and several in between, are labeled. Paper copies of these indexes are available for $3 each. Aerial photographs covering approximately 920 of the largest airports in the United States and its possessions are also available and are priced according to the schedules below. These are normally black-and-white photographs exposed at a contact scale of approximately 1:30,000.

Black-and-White Photographs: Prices of contact prints, film positives or negatives, and enlargements are the same for black-and-white and black-and-white infrared photographs. They are printed on medium-weight glossy paper, unless medium-weight matte is specified.
 
Material Size (cm) Size (in) Cost
Paper Contact Print  23 x 23  9 x 9 $9 each
Film Positive  23 x 23  9 x 9 $16 each
Film Negative  23 x 23  9 x 9 $13 each
Paper 2x Enlargement  46 x 46  18 x 18 $35 each
Paper 3x Enlargement  69 x 69  27 x 27 $42 each
Paper 4x Enlargement  91 x 91  36 x 36 $73 each
These prices will change on January 1, 2000.

Color Photographs: Before 1987, most NOAA color aerial photographs were exposed on color positive film. Since then, most have been exposed on color negative film. Prices of contact prints, film positives or negatives, and enlargements are the same for natural color and false-color infrared photographs. All color photographs are printed on glossy-finish material, unless semi-matte is specified.
 
Material Size (cm) Size (in) Cost
Paper Contact Print  23 x 23  9 x 9 $13 each
Film Positive  23 x 23  9 x 9 $19 each
Film Negative  23 x 23  9 x 9 $32 each
Paper 2x Enlargement  46 x 46  18 x 18 $65 each
Paper 3x Enlargement  69 x 69  27 x 27 $85 each
Paper 4x Enlargement  91 x 91  36 x 36 $96 each
These prices will change on January 1, 2000.

Please describe the area of interest by latitude and longitude, a detailed description or sketch, or by the photograph number. Orders are usually filled within 30 days. Photo reproductions (prints, film positives, and negatives) are custom processed and cannot be returned for credit or refund. This includes customer-misordered reproductions. No discount is offered for quantity purchases.

Research: The photo order includes the first 15 minutes of research. Additional research time costs $37 per hour, or any part of an hour. Certifications: Certifications authenticating copies of aerial photographs cost an additional $35 each.


For more information, please contact:
NOAA, National Ocean Service, N/NGS12,
1315 East-West Highway, Station 9321, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282,
Telephone: 301-713-2692; Fax: 301-713-4176,   E-mail *
* For information only, not for credit-card orders.