Recently Aerodata Int. Surveys executed thermal survey flights over the City of Annecy, France, for which purpose one of Aerodata survey aircraft was equipped with a downward looking, dedicated thermal camera.

The French network TF1 showed an impression of this project on television, which can be viewed here (in French):

The thermal camera used is able to record temperature values with an accuracy of up to 0.1 degree centigrade.

The flight is done in the coldest period of the night or early in the morning when the temperature differences between heated objects and the surrounding areas are at it's maximum.

The result of such a survey is a digital map of temperatures, that can be overlayed with a normal map of the city.

Analysis of the data shows for instance heat loss phenomena due to improper insulation in houses or other buildings. This information can then be used to improve insulation and minimize the loss of heating energy.