Services
Overview
Airborne Imaging has performed LiDAR and Aerial Photo projects from the far reaches of Alaska and the Mackenzie Delta in the north to the southern tips of Texas, Louisiana and Alabama. To date, we have successfully completed over 3,000 projects throughout North America with elevation maps and LiDAR data using Airborne lasers.
Our LiDAR data clients
We are proud to have over 500 different clients in several industries requiring Airborne laser mapping data including the oil and gas, mining, legal survey, engineering, power, and government sectors. Many of our projects are standalone and exclusive, however many use our LiDAR Library for their project needs. Their continued patronage and support is the foundation of what makes Airborne a successful company, today.
Our LiDAR survey and elevation mapping experience
Airborne currently has 7 project managers on staff specializing in mapping services using LiDAR surveys to produce elevation maps. These individuals all have thousands of field hours of mapping experience and can manage the logistics and technical challenges for any type of project. They have all managed many tens of thousands of square miles of LiDAR data collection, GPS/IMU post processing and point cloud calibrations.
In addition, our LiDAR Operators have all operated and flown thousands of square miles of LiDAR surveys, each. All of our operators are versed in operating both Optech and Leica LiDAR systems and can be moved to a project anywhere, seamlessly.
Lastly, our processing group has processed over 700,000 square kilometers of LIDAR in North America in the past 10 years. Our collection of Geomatics, Surveying and mapping specialists, have been the reason over 3,000 projects have been delivered on budget and on time. It’s been the cornerstone of Airborne to deliver in the time frame and within the budget we promise.
Industry Services
Mining
LiDAR has many distinct advantages when acquiring an existing or potential mine property. It creates a highly accurate data set, cost effectively and combining acquisition and processing, a faster timeframe than traditional approaches.
Traditional survey methods can be slow and result in lower sampling. With Airborne LiDAR surveys, we can acquire millions of points within each square kilometer. This density creates a robust data set for volume calculations, geomorphology and structural geology, design of transmission line or road corridors, slope analysis and run off surface modeling for feasibility studies and environmental impact studies.
Airborne has acquired numerous ortho-imagery/LiDAR projects for the mining community. We have the ability to manage both imagery and LiDAR acquisition to deliver a seamless product.
Oil and gas exploration
Airborne has been the LiDAR leader for the oil and gas exploration industry since it inception. Our personnel have been involved in many facets of the exploration industry for decades and our understanding of the need for accurate data, fast, has allowed us to become the number one LiDAR data acquisition company for this industry.
LiDAR data addresses many needs within the exploration community. From accurate x,y,z solutions within severe terrain and canopied areas for exploration programs, to road access and pipeline design for developmental areas, LiDAR is able to acquire large areas and deliver accurate solutions within days of flight.
The primary deliverable products for our Oil and Gas clients are digital terrain models, slope and vegetation height maps, and elevation extractions for seismic programs.
Engineering
LiDAR is an ideal tool for large scale engineering projects. Whether transportation, land development or commercial or industrial facility designs, the density and speed of LiDAR data acquisition is a preferred approach for terrain capture.
The accuracy of Airborne LiDAR lends to preliminary design, earth movement calculations and other budgetary needs. Our high definition LiDAR systems are able to map As-built and re-design on existing infrastructure or corridors. Both approaches serve different portion of the life-span of a an engineering project.
Typically, our Engineering clients require higher density Airborne LiDAR acquisition, flown at lower altitudes and with smaller field of view to minimize angular errors. In addition, their deliverables are a combination of Digital Elevation Models, contours and key points.
Power
Aiborne Imaging has acquired LiDAR data for new transmission line corridors, hydro-electric and Dam sites, and wind energy farms. These power solutions have used the accurate digital terrain models from Airborne LiDAR acquisition to model route locations, plant sites, water flow modeling and turbine locations.
Airborne has also managed combined LiDAR and Imagery projects for these applications. High resolution imagery combined with high density LiDAR gives the client the best perspective to make sound decisions. The speed of LiDAR acquisition and DEM generation allows faster preparation of ortho-images and much shorter delivery times.
Environment
Flood mapping has long been the number one use of LiDAR throughout the world. Areas of high risk, such as The Red River Basin in the Dakotas and Southern Manitoba, US Gulf States and many coastal regions have been using LiDAR for modeling risk and contingency planning since its inception in the mid 1990’s. LiDAR has the ability to acquire large flood areas, at high density within days. In emergency situations, the data can be processed and delivered within days.
LiDAR has seen its uses for environmental impact studies rise dramatically in recent years. The affects of broken dikes, pipeline blow outs, spill management etc. have led to using LiDAR DEM’s for calculating slope, view shed analysis, water and wind flows to determine affects on communities and stakeholders in the event of catastrophe.