Kucera International provides LiDAR services with our  company owned and operated Leica ALS 50 LiDAR system. 

Advantages of this system include variable flight altitude (500' to 20,000'), cross-track swath width (0º to 75º), laser scanning rate (0 to 70 Hz), and laser pulse rate (to 45 KHz). Kucera adds further flexibility to the LiDAR service by having both twin and single engine aircrafts available as a flight platform, allowing for flight speeds ranging from 80 to 170 knots. 

The LiDAR laser is integrated with a state-of-the-art Applanix POS/AV inertial measuring unit and global positioning systems in the aircraft and at ground base stations to provide the highest degree of positional and orientation angle accuracy needed for terrain surface modeling. LiDAR flight planning is a collaborative process with the client to define the necessary parameters (flight altitude, swath width, scanning rate, aircraft speed) to meet the project accuracy/data density requirements in the most time and cost effective manner. Detailed consideration is given to the purpose and nature of the project, including terrain relief, land cover, target area size/shape, and geographic location. The flight parameters are 
evaluated and compared using Leica's AEROPLAN LiDAR flight planning software, with the client being provided with a proposed flight plan report for the survey.

Kucera's LiDAR system is set up to be operated from Kucera aircraft based in Ohio, Florida, Missouri, and Colorado, and can be on-site within a short time period at low mobilization cost. Kucera maintains system calibration data for the aircraft bases of operation for pre and post-mission calibration to ensure data quality. When performed in conjunction with an aerial photography survey, the LiDAR flyover is typically performed in the morning and evening hours, thereby reserving the optimal sun angle period for the photography survey while ensuring that the LiDAR survey is completed within the shortest possible time with consistent terrain conditions. Within hours of each flight session, both the airborne GPS/IMU and laser return data components are given an initial quality control check/accuracy verification.

The ALS 50 system provides three range returns as well as intensity return measurements. The range returns are processed to "bald earth" digital terrain/elevation models and other forms of digital height data (e.g., tree canopy, obstruction heights) using Terrasolid's LiDAR dedicated TERRASCAN software. Kucera's experienced staff subjects the collected data to a rigorous quality control review process, including data density/terrain variation analysis, data anomaly filtering, review of 3D/perspective views, review against corresponding digital orthophotography (where available) and photogrammetric review again corresponding stereo aerial photography (where available). 

During the photogrammetric review, breakline, skeletal line, spot elevation, and other height data is added to the LiDAR DEM as needed to support intended applications, such as contour generation, orthophotography, hydrologic modeling, volumetric calculations, highway corridor planning, and power transmission line mapping. Intensity measurement data provides a pseudo photographic image which is used for quality control in addition to true photographic imagery or in place of photographic imagery where such is not available.

The LiDAR DEM/DTM data is provided in all standard GIS/CAD compatible or organization specific (e.g., FEMA) formats, including ASCII mass point files, TIN models, and contours. The delivery includes an accuracy verification/ quality control inspection report and metadata in the client-specified format.

The Kucera project planning and data processing staff has over 30 years of experience in planning, acquiring, generating, and evaluating all forms of digital surface models using a diverse range of techniques from traditional photogrammetry to the latest airborne and satellite remote sensing technology, including LiDAR, to meet each client's terrain modeling requirements with the most accurate, timely, and cost-effective methods.