Aero-Photo (1961) Inc. has contracted with Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit and subsidiary to purchase an UltraCam Eagle digital aerial photogrammetric camera system. Aero-Photo has previously purchased three UltraCamXp and one UltraCamLp cameras.
”We chose the UltraCam Eagle for three reasons. First because it helps to be more efficient in data acquisition, second because we have experience with UltraCam products and are very happy with them, and finally, we are able to use the same software to process the external data, which keeps our production line efficient and quality controlled,” explained Mr. Marcel Laberge, Geomatics Director for Aero-Photo. “We see demand for aerial mapping growing worldwide. To be competitive in new markets, we have to use the best available hardware and software and the most cost effective processes.”
With its fleet of six aircraft, Aero-Photo (1961) Inc. operates all five of its UltraCam digital cameras and its LiDAR sensor to complete large-area projects throughout North, Central and South America. Controlling costs and expediting delivery are key factors in achieving success in these types of assignments.
“Microsoft is very pleased that Aero-Photo has added an UltraCam Eagle camera system to its resources,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. “The flexibility of the system, along with the image quality and high-volume data acquisition capabilities, is a great choice for Aero-Photo’s typical jobs.”
About the UltraCam Eagle
The UltraCam Eagle features a pan image footprint of 20,010 pixels across the flight strip. In addition to the ultra-large image footprint, the UltraCam Eagle includes enhanced electronics for improved frame rate and less noise (72 dB signal-to-noise ratio for high image dynamic) when compared to previous UltraCam systems, and innovative high-resolution, high-performance lenses and state-of-the art CCD technology (@ 5.2 µm pixel size) for sharp images with a high dynamic range. This digital camera system boasts an integrated housing concept with all of the parts residing in a modular sensor head. The small physical form factor of the UltraCam Eagle requires minimal space in the aircraft and makes installation and operation simple.
About Microsoft’s UltraCam Business Unit
With its operations based in Graz, Austria, and sales and support teams in North America, Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit brings more than two decades of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft’s Bing Maps business unit. The division is responsible for the highly successful line of UltraCam digital aerial mapping systems that today include the UltraCamLp, UltraCam Falcon, and UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors, and the UltraCam Osprey nadir/oblique photogrammetric digital aerial sensor. Rounding out the UltraCam offerings is the fully integrated UltraMap workflow software system, with features that include high-density 3D point cloud creation, highly accurate and detailed digital surface model (DSM) generation, and ortho mosaicing capabilities based on an automatically generated DSM or traditional DSM.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Aero-Photo (1961) Inc.
Founded in 1961, Aero-Photo (1961) Inc. is a leading North American aerial mapping firm based in Québec, Canada. Aero-Photo led by three veterans of the aerial mapping industry: Paul Grenier, Marcel Laberge, and Christian Levesque. Aero-Photo specializes in aerial acquisition (photography and LiDAR) and related geomatics services. It offers its customers integrated services for aerial photography (analog and digital), LiDAR, laboratory services and professional services in photogrammetry, including orthophoto production, as well as distribution of the derived data. For more information, email Marcel Laberge, Geomatic Director, at [email protected] or go to www.aerophoto.ca.
