- Choose thermal when the question requires heat-related evidence.
- Keep visual context tied to each thermal observation.
- Review the exact aircraft and payload combination.
Choose by the question the image must answer
If an inspector needs to see a damaged component, a close visual record may answer the question. If the task concerns an apparent heat anomaly, visual imagery alone cannot provide that observation. H30T adds thermal imaging to the H30 Series; H30 is the visual option in this comparison.
Three common inspection decisions
| Question | Relevant record | Starting choice |
|---|---|---|
| Is this component visibly damaged? | Context view and detailed visual image | H30 or H30T, according to the rest of the work. |
| Does this component appear thermally different? | Thermal original, matched visual view and operating context | H30T. |
| Can a search candidate be verified? | Thermal observation followed by visual or ground verification | H30T with the incident team’s handoff process. |
A thermal observation needs context
A report should let someone else identify the same component. Record the asset name, observation time, viewing direction and relevant operating conditions. Keep the original thermal file when the analysis requires it; a colored screenshot is a presentation image, not the full measurement record.
Ask a qualified reviewer how they want comparison observations captured. Consistent settings and viewpoints make repeat visits easier to interpret. A change in palette or range can make two images look different even when the underlying scene has changed less.
Compare the whole installed system
A payload purchase should identify the aircraft it will actually fly on. Check the manufacturer’s current compatibility, mount layout and operating requirements for that combination. Add any second payload to the same review.
Use a real asset for the demonstration. Ask the inspector to produce one complete finding with a context image, detail and recommended follow-up. That will reveal whether thermal adds useful evidence to this inspection program, rather than only an impressive live view.