Aerial Surveys » News

Aerial Surveys commissions Optech LiDAR system

Steve — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:01:18 +0000

Aerials Surveys has commissioned its own LiDAR system for the capture of LiDAR surveys within New Zealand. The Optech ALTM3100EA has an extensive record in the market for quality and reliability while offering a range of different survey options. It is ideally suited to New Zealand conditions and will be housed in our Cessna 206 aircraft offering a highly cost effective and efficient LiDAR survey operation.

Vexcel UCLp Upgrade Arrives

Steve — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:30:20 +0000

When Aerial Surveys purchased its UCL digital mapping camera from Vexcel in 2009 it planned to have the upgrade to the the UCLp completed as soon as Vexcel completed the modifications. The UCLp has now been delivered and is operational. These modifications deliver a number of valuable improvements including faster frame rates and a larger footprint for each frame. This camera is ideally suited to New Zealand conditions and has proven to be a very robust and reliable camera system. The integrated system with solid state hard drives offers reliability and flexibility for all kinds of mapping projects with good efficiencies.

Based on the UltraCamL, the UltraCamLp features the same advanced technical specifications but boasts an even larger format collection at 92 megapixels (11,704 x 7,920 pixels pan) compared to the UltraCamL 64 megapixel format. The UCLp has a footprint equivalent to Vexcel’s first large format digital mapping camera, the UCD and is ideal for the New Zealand market. With new electronics, the UltraCamLp allows for a larger footprint than the UltraCamL without sacrificing cycle rates. The result is 43% more image at the same frame rate, allowing for the following possible benefits:

• Data collection at higher flight speeds

• Increase of potential forward overlap for a given GSD and speed

• Data collection at higher resolutions with the same forward overlap and speed

With superior image quality, the UltraCamLp can be used on smaller airplanes, and thus operated at lower cost. The UltraCamLp provides the same high geometric accuracy, broad dynamic range, matching and stereo capabilities, and full metric capabilities, as the larger format cameras such as the UCX/UCXp. The image data is suitable for DSM (digital surface model) production, aerotriangulation, ortho mapping and 3D technical vector mapping.

Success in Vexcel “UltraCam Moment” Competition

Steve — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:57:05 +0000

Aerial Surveys recently submitted eight images into the Vexcel “UltraCam Moment” competition three of which were selected as being among 12 of the very best submissions worldwide. These images will be appearing on Vexcel’s next corporate gift calendar and other marketing activities. This is a was a world wide competition with around 100 images being submitted and Aerial Surveys is very proud to have three images in the top twelve. The New Zealand scenery is certainly up there with the best in the world as is our imagery. To view the top twelve images go to http://www.microsoft.com/ultracam/en-us/UltraCamMedia.aspx

If you would like a print of any these images get in contact with us on 0800500 357 OR

Phone: (03) 547 0044
Fax: (03) 547 0088
Email: nelsonoffice@aerialsurveys.co.nz

Aerial Surveys’ Winning Images

Other Submissions

Aerial Surveys Implements New Vexcel Digital Mapping Camera

Steve — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:05:45 +0000

Aerial Surveys has recently acquired a new Vexcel UltraCam large format digital mapping camera system. The UltraCamL, soon to be upgraded to the UltraCamLp, offers the superior radiometric and geometric accuracies with a broad dynamic range.

This exciting new system is now fully operational with the new advanced UltraMap image processing and automated aerial triangulation software from Vexcel.

Based on the UltraCamL, the UltraCamLp features the same advanced technical specifications but boasts an even larger format collection at 92 megapixels (11,704 x 7,920 pixels pan) compared to the UltraCamL 64 megapixel format, making it a very efficient, quality mapping camera system for the NZ market and ideal for smaller aircraft and local projects that require a rapid response. This image format capability is made possible through new electronics and a smaller CCD array of just 6 μm.

Meanwhile, like the UtraCamL, the UltraCamLp features a 1:2.2 pan sharpen ratio and collects RGB and NIR in parallel, all with forward motion compensation by TDI, allowing it to deliver brilliant true-color and color-infrared (CIR) image quality with unmatched radiometric range, and making it ideal for smaller large-scale and photogrammetric projects, high-resolution (true) orthophoto production, multi-ray photogrammetry, corridor mapping, and lidar integration. It also takes advantage of the computing and storage subsystems introduced with the UltraCamX large format sensor system that include removable storage units for longer flight missions and reduced ground time but utilized solid state devices for higher integration.

The new digital camera system offers numerous benefits including:

Superior radiometric quality and larger dynamic range (improved usability of imagery). This offers the potential to capture imagery in less favourable conditions than film based missions creating a longer flying season
Lower noise level (no granularity) in the imagery
No artefacts in imagery from dust or scratches experienced in film based photography
Increased image overlap capability to improve quality and productivity without increased capture costs. Removal of mismatches of tie points for AT and DEM production
Efficiency in image processing immediately after capture creating better delivery times (no film processing, scanning etc)
Offers CIR imagery simultaneously from a single flight as a result of red, green, blue and near infrared channels being captured
DTM mapping from the same single flight using every second frame
With the high dynamic range of the PAN images processing time is improved as well as accuracy. The high density PAN images also enable the use of Multi-Ray photogrammetry, a new application providing automated digital surface modelling and “true ortho” production (not lean for above ground features)
Better image interpretation and contrast in shadows
Electronic forward motion compensation enabling faster flying speeds