Luring the NEON airborne observation platform away from NEON sites: An assignable asset odyssey

The NEON Airborne Observation Platform (AOP) Assignable Asset program allows investigators to request an AOP collection at a non-NEON site. This program has the potential to make airborne hyperspectral and LiDAR data available to everyone (in the US) – a thrilling prospect. But making this happen costs money and time. How much? It is highly site and project specific, but I will describe my own experience with this program with the hope of raising awareness about this exciting program and providing suggestions for the future.