Next generation LiDAR system from Leica Geosystems reduces acquisition costs and provides greater flexibility of flying lower while doubling point density.

( Norcross, Ga., 20 May 2008)  McElhanney Consulting Services Ltd., one of Canada's most prestigious consulting firms, specializing in engineering, surveying, mapping, environmental services and planning, has purchased the Leica ALS50-II airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system with unique Multiple Pulse in the Air (MPiA) capabilities from Leica Geosystems to support aerial mapping projects around the world.

Dan Tresa, Branch Manager with McElhanney Consulting Services, says, "LiDAR, now widely used for mining and transmission corridor projects, is increasingly valuable for municipal projects that range from environmental monitoring to engineering mapping. The ALS50-II with MPiA rounds out our geomatics capabilities, opening the door to provide advanced remote sensing services to international clients with speed and accuracy, regardless of geographic location or challenging environments." 

The Leica ALS50-II compact, airborne LIDAR system, designed to create highly accurate and much denser digital elevation models, acquires topographical and return signal intensity data from numerous airborne platforms. The system computes this data using laser range and return signal intensity measurements recorded in-flight, along with position and attitude data taken from airborne GPS and inertial subsystems. The newest ALS50 allows accurate data collection independent of pulse rate. Instead data collection is dependent on a flying height envelope ranging from a helicopter-compatible 200m AGL to 6000m AGL for wide area mapping.

"The ALS50-II with MPiA capabilities is redefining how LIDAR mapping is done, allowing aerial surveyors to operate two pulses at one time. Now they can either fly higher and cover more area maintaining the point densities they were achieving with a single pulse in the air system while reducing acquisition costs, or increase their point densities by flying at the same height they would have with a single pulse in air system," says Shawn Slade, Airborne Imaging and LiDAR Sales for the U.S. & Canada with Leica Geosystems. "Industry no longer has to choose between rapidly-acquired, high-density data and high accuracy. Now they can have it all in a compact system with high altitude performance."

For more information about Leica Geosystems airborne LIDAR system, contact Shawn Slade at 303-799-9453 ext. 1913 (office) or via email Email Contact

For more information about McElhanney's use of aerial mapping technology, contact Dan Tresa at Email Contact or 604 694 2261.

Leica Geosystems - when it has to be right

With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information.

Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3,500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.

For further information please contact:

Leica Geosystems Inc.
Andre Ribeiro
Director of Marketing
Atlanta, GA 30092
United States

Phone:   +1 (770) 326-9557
Fax:         +1 (770) 447-0710
Andre.ribeiro@leicaus.com