Graz, Austria – February 1, 2012 — Valley Air Photos, LLC, has contracted with Microsoft’s UltraCam business unit and subsidiary, Vexcel Imaging GmbH, to purchase its second UltraCamX digital aerial photogrammetric camera. The company purchased its first UltraCamX in April 2010.
As the only US aerial data acquisition company based in the Northwest to own two UltraCamX systems, Valley Air Photos can leverage its ability to complete projects more quickly and efficiently to better serve its customers. Owning two identical cameras simplifies scheduling and streamlines production and data processing work flows.
“Operating the first UltraCamX has had a positive impact on many aspects of Valley Air Photo’s business. Due to our increased collection capacity, we can compete for larger projects across a broader geographic range, and we’re being asked to team on new projects because of our ability to provide a faster turnaround,” stated Kevin Graville, Director of Operations, Valley Air Photos. “With the increased demand for UltraCam imagery, purchasing a second UltraCamX to meet demand was an obvious decision to make.”
“Vexcel Imaging has been great to work with, and we can always count on a fast response from the technical support team," stated Cathy Graville, Owner, Valley Air Photos. “We are excited about the new opportunities that the second UltraCamX system will bring to our company.”
“Microsoft is pleased to support the growth of Valley Air Photos by supplying them with a second UltraCamX camera,” said Alexander Wiechert, Microsoft Business Director. “The operational and competitive advantages of owning two UltraCamX systems are compelling reasons to expand Valley Air Photo’s resources at this time and we will continue to work together to support this customer’s future growth through new UltraCam offerings.”
About the UltraCamX
The UltraCamX collects 136 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 extensive image collection in the air. Low-cost, exchangeable data storage devices store up to 4,700 images each and can be swapped mid-flight for reduced ground turnover time.
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 include the UltraCamLp, UltraCamXp and UltraCamXp Wide Angle and the new UltraCam Eagle digital photogrammetric sensors. Rounding out the UltraCam mapping systems offering is the UltraMap workflow software system that provides an automated project-based color balancing module and additional quality control tools.
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 Valley Air Photos, LLC
Valley Air Photos, based in Caldwell, Idaho, is a 100% woman-owned business that specializes in high-accuracy aerial acquisition services throughout the United States and Canada. Valley Air owns three aircraft, film and digital aerial cameras, and Applanix IMUs to collect precise orientation data. The company has provided quality imagery services for over 26 years, and also supplies stock photography from its archives. For more information, visit http://valleyairphotos.com or contact Kevin Graville at (208) 454-1344.