AAGS YouTube seminars on geodetic topics in support of a certificate in geodetic surveying

My May 2025 GPS World newsletter highlighted the American Association for Geodetic Surveying (AAGS) “Certificate for Geodetic Surveying” Program. This newsletter will update readers on the program. As I mentioned in the May 2025 newsletter, the Certificate for Geodetic Surveying program is designed to meet the needs of surveyors and others who perform spatial analyses and computations using geodetic methods. 

Some of you may not be familiar with AAGS. The American Association for Geodetic Surveying (AAGS) aims to guide the community of geodetic, surveying and land information data users into the 21st century by working together to develop new educational programs — such as presentations, seminars, and workshops on geodetic surveying — and by publishing articles and papers that share the latest scientific and technological advances, along with advice for cost-effective, efficient implementation. AAGS also encourages a deeper understanding of geodesy by offering educational materials in geodesy, geodetic surveying and related fields.

The AAGS Board meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). Please visit the AAGS website and consider joining our monthly board meetings — a forum to share ideas and learn about geospatial products and services. All are welcome. To be added to the attendee list, email me at GeospatialSolutionsByDBZ@gmail.com.

Here’s the latest on the certification program: AAGS has developed questions covering the seven core areas of minimum competence in geodetic certification: (1) Geometric Geodesy, (2) Physical Geodesy, (3) Accuracy and Error, (4) Temporal Aspects, (5) Global Navigation Satellite Systems, (6) Geodetic Survey Networks, and (7) Standards and Guidelines. For details on each topic, see my May 2025 GPS World newsletter. The information below includes examples the Board is considering for the exam.

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AAGS Geodetic Certification Exam — Sample Questions

• Geometric Geodesy

In the ECEF coordinate system, the X and Y axes define

1. minor axis of a reference ellipsoid
2. spin axis of the Earth
3. prime meridian and north pole
4. |equatorial plane

• Physical Geodesy

The term ‘deflection of the vertical’ applies to what?

1. Error introduced when the curvature of the earth is not accounted for
2. The angular difference between the perpendicular to a reference ellipsoid and perpendicular to the field of gravity at a location.
3. The distortion induced on the Earth’s gravitational field by a large mass beneath the surface
4. The difference between true and geodetic North at a location.

• Accuracy and Error

A __________________ is the difference between the observed value and the most probable value.

1. blunder
2. residual
3. standard deviation
4. systematic error

• Temporal Aspects

What is the purpose of National Geodetic Survey’s EPP model?

1. To transform ITRF coordinates to NAD 83 (2011) Epoch 2010.00.
2. To transform ITRF coordinates to a 2022 Terrestrial Reference Frames Epoch 2020.0 (a way of describing a plate’s rotation).
3. To transform ITRF coordinates to WGS84 Epoch 2020.00.

• Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)

The satellite ______________________ sets up an arbitrary threshold below which GPS satellites should not be measured.

1. azimuth
2. inclination angle
3. mask angle
4. zenith angle

• Geodetic Survey Networks

In a GPS network adjustment, primary reason for the minimally constrained adjustment is to ensure that

a) the baseline components are free of large errors

b) the control point coordinates have no errors

c) the degree of freedom of adjustment is correct

d) integer ambiguities have been determined correctly

• Standards and Guidelines

Which of the following statements about the State Plane Coordinates System (SPCS) is false?

1. Eliminates having individual adjacent surveys based on different assumed coordinates
2. Extensive highway projects can start at one control point and close on another at some distance away.
3. If a monument is lost, one can use other SPCS monuments to recover the lost monument.
4. Since SPCS utilizes a “developable surface” to project ground points onto a plane, the resulting projection is “distortion free”

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The draft questions are under expert review to ensure they target the right geodetic concepts and effectively assess the knowledge needed by those creating geospatial products and services. Our aim isn’t to make everyone a geodesist, but to ensure anyone producing geospatial products understands enough geodesy to create, depict, and document them correctly. AAGS is partnering with NSPS to implement the program, aiming for a 2026 launch. I’ll share updates in future emails.

Many are asking whether AAGS will create training materials to support the certification program. We do not have any official plans at this time. However, Muge Albayrak—an AAGS Director and researcher at Oregon State University—has been working with members to produce YouTube sessions on certification-related topics. So far, AAGS has released four sessions: (1) Astronomical Techniques in Geodesy, (2) Practical Precise Point Positioning (PPP): Properties and Performance, (3) Real-Time GNSS Networks – RTN Alignment – User Perspective, and (4) Real-Time GNSS Networks – RTN Alignment – Managing RTNs.

We’ve discussed producing shorter YouTube sessions focused on key concepts from the seven competency areas of the geodetic certification program. These would complement the existing member-only educational videos on the AAGS website. For details, see the Resources tab on the AAGS website.

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YouTube of Real-Time GNSS Networks: RTN Alignment — User Perspective and Managing RTNs.

The American Association for Geodetic Surveying The American Association for Geodetic Surveying

New 4-Part Educational Video Series on Real-Time GNSS Networks (RTNs) – RTN Alignment
The American Association for Geodetic Surveying (AAGS) is pleased to share a comprehensive four-part video series focused on Real-Time GNSS Networks (RTNs) and RTN Alignment — a topic that continues to grow in importance as more agencies, universities, and private organizations operate or rely on RTNs.
This series brings together academic researchers and industry practitioners to provide clear user-level guidance and practical network-management insights grounded in current research and real-world field experience.
Part 1 — RTN Alignment-User Perspective: Lecture : https://lnkd.in/eMuBqRkz
Chase Simpson (Assistant Professor of Practice, Oregon State University) explains RTN fundamentals, field procedures, accuracy expectations, and how to combine real-time GNSS with conventional surveying.
Part 2 — RTN Alignment-User Perspective: Q&A: https://lnkd.in/e_5vcM7Y
A panel discussion addressing weighting strategies, redundant observations, GEOID2022 implications, and best practices for verifying RTN accuracy in the field.
Part 3 — Managing RTNs: Lecture: https://lnkd.in/eV5P-daq
William Ohene (PhD Student, Oregon State University) presents new research on monitoring core station stability, detecting reference station issues, and aligning RTNs with the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).
Part 4 — Managing RTNs: Q&A: https://lnkd.in/ejpkJq2Z
A follow-up discussion on operational considerations for RTN managers, network density, coordinate updates, and improving user confidence across real-time networks.

Why AAGS is sharing this series
As part of our mission to support professional education and strengthen the geodetic surveying community, AAGS is committed to providing accessible, high-quality resources on emerging practices, technologies, and research.

This RTN series supports surveyors, geodesists, GIS professionals, and RTN operators who rely on accurate real-time positioning.

Watch the full 4-part series here: https://lnkd.in/ejvF6qQQ

AAGS extends our appreciation to:
• Lecturer: Chase Simpson
• Lecturer: William Ohene
• Moderator: Dave Zilkoski
• Panel contributors: Karen Meckel, Müge Albayrak, and Brian Weave

We hope this series supports your professional practice, education initiatives, and technical development.

Please feel free to share your thoughts or questions — we welcome community discussion.

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As noted, AAGS members can access educational material on the AAGS website covering geodetic topics that will help answer many exam questions. Numerous external resources are also available. For example, NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS) offers webinars, online lessons, and educational videos, and GeoLearn provides continuing education courses for surveyors.

Please visit the AAGS website and consider attending our monthly Board meetings. If you’d like to attend, want more information about AAGS, are interested in serving on a committee, or wish to collaborate on YouTube sessions about geospatial topics, email me at GeospatialSolutionsByDBZ@gmail.com.