Press Release
Issued by Woodgate Aviation.
February 28, 2017
Woodgate Aviation has won the contract to assist with mapping every square inch of Northern Ireland from the air. The contract, which is worth almost one million pounds, is for an initial five-year period and involves the use of a specially adapted Chieftain aircraft operating from Woodgate's purpose-built hangar at Belfast International Airport.
Woodgate secured the Land and Property Services contract after taking part in a competitive tendering process. Woodgate has been providing air support and facilities for Land and Property Services (formally Ordnance Survey Northern Ireland) for some 40 years.
The aircraft is fitted with hi-tech surveying colour and near-infrared digital camera equipment to do the work. The camera system produces 3D imagery which goes to provide accurate mapping and other uses such as property valuations for rating purposes. It also surveys agricultural land for the purposes of farm subsidies.
Woodgate Aviation general manager, David Shaw, said: “Land and Property Services is a long-established and valued customer. We are very familiar with its requirements and, because we have been doing the job for so long, it all works like clockwork.
“The on-board technology is impressive and is operated by two Land and Property Services personnel who map what's on the ground. Accurate images are produced and they are then processed for a variety of mapping purposes.
“An interesting facet of the work involves a piece of equipment called a GPS repeater. This time-saving device allows the crew to calibrate their equipment using the GPS signal inside the hangar without having to move the aircraft outside a number of times to complete the task.
“The work that is done by Land and Property Services includes mapping, land registration, valuation and rating and the imagery captured from the Woodgate aircraft is utilised throughout the organisation and, indeed, other government departments and private individuals.
“We're delighted to win this renewal of contract. It is an important part of our business and it will help to sustain jobs at the hangar well into the 2020s.”
