Back to Helicopters

Southern Mapping Company (SMC) staff started with Airborne Lidar (Light Detection and ranging) in the early 90's, using helicopters as airborne platforms for the technology. Later, both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft were used and most recently only fixed wing aircraft. SMC chief executive Peter Moir conducted all the test flying together with the South African Civil Aviation authority to have the Lidar equipment and airborne cameras approved for flying.

SMC has now made the decision to reinstate the use of helicopters for certain applications, such as linear surveys when needed on roads, rail, pipelines and power lines. Fixed wing aircraft will still be used for other applications, such a large mapping projects. The flexibility between the use of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft will allow SMC to offer airborne platforms to their clients, in line with the company's ‘one-stop-shop' vision.