Graz, Austria — April 21, 2010 — Vexcel Imaging GmbH, a Microsoft® company, has signed a purchase agreement with Valley Air Photos, LLC, of Caldwell, Idaho, for an UltraCamX large format digital aerial camera.
Valley Air Photos observed, especially over the last two years, that its clients have become ever-more-interested in direct digital image collection. To stay in tune with its clients’ needs, the company began investigating the possibility of acquiring a digital camera. The Sales and Support staff at Vexcel Imaging worked with Valley Air Photos to determine that the UltraCamX would be the best fit for the purposes and projects the company and its clients have in mind.
“We saw several benefits with purchasing an UltraCamX: the ease with which it integrated with our existing flight management system, the clear path for future upgrades, and the incredible technical support,” explained Kevin Graville, Director of Operations. “Best of all is the positive response of our clients as they view and work with the UltraCamX imagery they are receiving.”
“As the acquisition of aerial data continues its transition to digital, Vexcel Imaging is pleased to be able to provide the system characteristics and support services that are important to the market,” said Alexander Wiechert, Business Director of Microsoft and Managing Director for Vexcel Imaging GmbH. “And we are honored to be able to welcome Valley Air Photos into the UltraCam family.”
About the UltraCamX
The UltraCamX collects 216 megapixels per trigger to produce 14,430 across track and 9,420 along track pixels, with a sustained collection rate of three gigabits per second. The camera maintains forward overlap of 70% at 3 cm pixels and 80% overlap at 5 cm pixels feasible at normal flying speeds. Meanwhile, the UltraCamX system features a data flow that allows vast image collection in the air. Low-cost, exchangeable data storage devices store up to 4,700 images and can be swapped mid-flight for reduced ground turnover time.
About Vexcel Imaging, GmbH
Acquired by Microsoft Corporation in May 2006, Vexcel Imaging GmbH brings 20 years of photogrammetry expertise to Microsoft’s Bing Maps business unit and is at the heart of the burgeoning Microsoft Photogrammetry business. The company’s offerings include its series of UltraCam large-and medium-format digital aerial mapping cameras and related software tools such as the UltraMap 2.0 workflow software.
About Valley Air Photos, LLC
Valley Air Photos, Caldwell, Idaho, provides custom aerial acquisition services throughout the United States and Canada. The company has provided quality imagery services for 25 years, and also supplies stock photography from its archives. For more information, visit http://valleyairphotos.com.