Toronto: Helica Srl of Italy has acquired its first ALTM Gemini. Optech Incorporated is pleased to announce this is Helica’s third Airborne Laser Terrain Mapper.

The ALTM Gemini offers higher altitude operation at higher repetition rates. A user can operate at 100 kHz from altitudes as low as 150 m to over 2 km. In addition, the ALTM Gemini offers pulse repetition frequency rates as high as 167 kHz. This greatly improves the survey efficiency of the ALTM by providing greater geographic area coverage or higher point density at a given rate.

“We're delighted that Helica has purchased our latest ALTM Gemini technology. This new system will continue to ensure Helica's position as a leader in the lidar surveying industry not only in Europe, but globally,” says Don Carswell, President of Optech. “Optech and Helica have always had an excellent working relationship and we value their partnership. Helica has an excellent grasp of new technologies and truly pushes that technology envelope to constantly ensure that their customers always have the latest and most dynamic cutting-edge technology available.”

“Helica's strategic vision is to keep abreast of innovation in leading technologies and in project management: the adoption of the new ALTM Gemini addresses both of these commitments,” says Diego Plos, Director of Helica. “Now operating three generations of ALTM sensors, we are confident that we will continue to retain a clear market advantage because of the ALTM Gemini, due to lower production costs and increased accuracy. With the purchase of the ALTM Gemini, Helica has made the choice to become even more efficient with its lidar geo-data collection and to further improve accuracies given ALTM Gemini’s flying parameter flexibility.”

About Optech
Optech is the world leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of advanced laser-based survey instruments. The company offers client-driven solutions in airborne terrestrial mapping, airborne laser bathymetry, laser imaging, space-based atmospheric monitors and space-borne landing/docking systems, mine cavity monitoring systems and industrial process control.

About Helica
Helica is a remote sensing company specializing in airborne lidar mapping, hyperspectral surveys and aerial photography. Deploying the most recent technologies, lidar, digital camera and hyperspectral sensors are installed on their aircraft and flown simultaneously. The data sets are seamlessly integrated in keeping with the Helica philosophy of “one flight, complete information, informed decisions”. Helica customers, in four continents, utilise the 3D information in various sectors: telecommunications, transportation, energy, national security and water & land management. Working together with OGS, Geophisics National Rescearch Institute in Italy, helps Helica maintain their focus on custom-made products and quality research for new applications.