"Reconnaissance flights" refer to the act of sending aircraft to gather information or spy on a particular area or target, usually for military or intelligence purposes. Full definition
Harry spent 20 hours on reconnaissance flights over the concession before moving in in 1963. (si.com)
OXCART was the label given to the CIA's A-12 program, meant to come after the U-2 to perform reconnaissance flights over the Soviet Union. (businessinsider.com)
In January, a German team will run reconnaissance flights there. (scientificamerican.com)