February Old Dominion Surveyor

An Electronic Publication of the Virginia Association of Surveyors, Inc.

February 2018

MOUNT EVEREST

NEPAL SET TO FINALLY MEASURE WORLD'S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN ITSELF

Nepali surveyors are planning to measure Mount Everest for the first time without foreign interference this climbing season, in what the country hopes will settle an international dispute about the height of the world's tallest mountain once and for all.

Get Your Kids Into Surveying

Adam Schmeing from Phillips and Jordan mentioned that,"being a surveyor sometimes has its benefits, like take your daughter to work days." Our Editor, Kevin Wood replied, "as always, the tall guy setting up the instrument to high for the Chief."

2018 Exam Review Class

This four-day review class will cover topics of interest for those persons preparing to take the state licensing exam; "Fundamentals of Surveying Exam" or the "Principles & Practice of Surveying Exam." Register.

Tidewater Community College is Dedicated to Educating the Next Generation

by Chris Cartwright

TCC created the Land Surveying certificate in 2007 and it was approved by the APELSCIDLA Board on September 13, 2007 as a "survey apprenticeship program approved by the board" pursuant to subsection 5 of regulation 18 VAC 10-20-300. Read More.


Virginia Department of Transportation Utilizing a Lane Closure Dean Raynes and Josh Hall with VDOT Culpeper utilizing a lane closure to set and locate aerial targets in the middle of the road for intersection improvements in Albermarle County. View More Photos.	More Photos Available from the VAS Convention Photographs by Marvin Adams and Helen Schwartz are available on our website. Read More.	President Donald J. Trump's American Infrastructure Initiative $200 billion in Federal funds to spur at least $1.5 trillion in infrastructure investments with partners at the State, local, Tribal, and private level. Read More.

16th Annual Right of Way Mapping Competition

Deadline: April 1, 2018

Sponsored by IRWA's International Surveying & Engineering Community of Practice, this annual competition will be held in conjunction with IRWA's 64th Annual International Education Conference on June 24, 2018 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Read More.

NSPS Commends Congressional Introduction of the IMAGES Act, H.R. 4905

by John M. Palatiello

The National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) today commended Representatives Alex Mooney (R-WV) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) for their bipartisan introduction of a bill to improve the flood mapping associated with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They issued the following statement regarding a flood risk mapping reform bill introduced last week in the U.S. House of Representatives. Learn More

National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is No Longer Supporting Passive Control

by Dr. Charles Ghilani

The American Association for Geodetic Surveying (AAGS) would like to make you aware of potential future problems in Virginia with the release of the new geopotential vertical datum in 2022. The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is no longer supporting passive control such as bench marks unless it has been occupied by a GPS/GNSS receiver for 4 or more hours and submitted to OPUS-Shared Solutions. By August 2018, NGS would like to have data from all states to complete the GPS on bench marks campaigns. The Commonwealth of Virginia has several areas that have a weak Geoid model with uncertainties in the 0.2 ft or more range, and thus need GPS on bench marks to strengthen the geoid model. Surveys starting in 2022 involving flood plain maps and so forth will require bringing orthometric heights (elevations) to the job site using GNSS, which in turn requires a better geoid model in parts of your state.


Passing the Gavel There is a new chair for the VGIN Board. Learn more.	Virginia lawmakers weigh new laws limiting drone flights Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, made the case for a law aimed at eventually granting the state's aviation board authority over drones. Learn more.	Delegate Freitas shares how occupational licensing led his 10 year-old daughter into crime Watch more online. Learn more.

Recruit a Member

Did you know that when you recruit a new member to VAS, you will receive a 25% discount on your membership dues? Spread the word about the great work VAS is doing for the surveying profession and be sure to tell the new member to include your name on the recommended by portion of their application.

Letter from the Editor

North Carolina created a technician membership some time ago and they now have almost 150 technician members. The executive staff stated that some of those technician members are starting to take classes just because they are interested in the subject matter. I was able to meet with the association members from Georgia, Tennessee and of course Leland who is the current President of the North Carolina society.