SLC Associates - Geomatic Solutions

Geomatic Solutions, Aerodrome Surveys and Software

SLC Associates specialise in Aerodrome Surveys and Software.

Formed in 1987 as SLC Surveys by Stephen L Card, the name was changed to SLC Associates in 1992 as part of a corporate re-branding. The partnership was incorporated in January 2001 as Geomatic Solutions Ltd but continues to trade under the more familiar names of SLC Associates or SLC Geomatic Solutions. The corporate logo was changed in 2010 and now says ‘SLC Geomatic Solutions’, a trading name that is becoming more familiar.

Our core business was to provide a high quality Land and Building Surveying service to the design sectors of the construction industry. However, in 1994, SLC Associates made a significant investment into GPS services by purchasing 5 sets of Leica GPS receivers and becoming, at that time, the largest corporate user of geodetic GPS equipment in the UK.
Twenty two years later, we continue to offer the full range of surveying and mapping services but the commitment to GPS and GNSS based services is still the main priority.

Our specialist aeronautical Surveyors have now successfully carried out over 260 WGS-84 aerodrome surveys around the World. We have also developed specialist software called GDMS which is soon to be available in an Enterprise version as well as the Desktop version. GDMS handles electronic terrain and obstacle data (eTOD) and analyses aerodrome obstructions. GDMS Desktop is currently in use at over 60 locations worldwide.

  • Established 1987
  • Operating In 34 Countries
  • Working With 260 Aerodromes

Company Profile

  • WGS-84 Implementations and Aerodrome Surveys

    Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as the Navstar GPS have become an essential tool for navigation in the 21st century, especially in aviation where WGS-84 provides a single global coordinate system for a global industry.

    Therefore, since the 1990s, ICAO have required that all geospatial data required to enable the safe operation of airports and aircraft is surveyed in the WGS-84 system.

    We have been carrying out WGS-84 surveys at aerodromes since the mid-1990s and are now the largest private aeronautical survey specialist in Europe.

    We offer a complete package of WGS-84 implementation services and software support to airports and national administrations worldwide.

    The aim of an aerodrome survey is to provide accurate positional information to enable the Aerodrome operators to meet their safety responsibilities and provide the data required by all stakeholders (operators, civil aviation authorities and IFP designers) to:

    • consider aerodrome licensing issues;
    • design and develop operational flight procedures;
    • prepare charts;
    • conduct safety evaluations;
    • promulgate information in the AIP and other associated documents

    The requirement is to provide quality assured lists of aerodrome facilities (i.e. runways, navigation aids, etc.) and features identified as obstacles for each Aerodrome. These lists form the basis for all charting, obstacle filtering (using obstacle identification surfaces) and analysis for Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) design.

    After twenty-one years and 260 airports, SLC Associates – Geomatic Solutions are now the largest private aeronautical survey specialist in Europe and offer a complete package of data collection (survey) and software support to airports and national civil aviation authorities.

  • Surveying and Mapping Solutions

    Aerodrome Mapping DataBase (AMDB)

    An AMDB is a spatial database of an airport. An AMDB dataset describes the spatial layout of an aerodrome in terms of features (e.g. runways, taxiways, parking stands) with geometry described as points, lines or polygons, and with attributes (e.g. surface type) providing further information. AMDBs are produced and exchanged as datasets using global standards and tools of mainstream Geographic Information System (GIS) technology such as ArcGIS.

    AIP Charting

    Historically, AIP charts were delivered in PDF format. Nowadays, many eAIP systems can accept the native formats or AIXM. Our AIP ready charts are produced using AutoCAD or ArcGIS.

    Topographical surveys

    Topographical surveying is all about accurately mapping the environment. Digital plans are produced using a combination of tools available to the surveyor depending on the accuracy and coverage required. For smaller areas or areas which require a high accuarcy (3mm – 15mm), we will use a combination of GPS and total stations. Our terrestrial laser scanners (Leica C10 and FARO) are also used to good effect in areas where the content is very complex, such as industrial sites or where a high level of detail is needed, for example pavement surveys where a dense point spacing is required. For larger areas which are sometimes required for GIS or master planning applications and have a lesser accuracy requirement, we will use imagery acquired by aerial or satellite sensors or an airborne laser scanner (LiDAR). Plans are normally produced at scales of 1:1000 and upwards to 1:10,000

  • High Definition Laser Scanning

    Based in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom , SLC Associates scanning division specialises in high definition 3D laser survey, point cloud conversion and CAD modelling and can provide a range of services to industry, including marine, aviation, engineering and construction.

    Our Leica C10 is perfect for large scale surveys of buildings, aircraft stands, factories, ships, superyachts and more, with a high level of accuracy and fast acquisition of data. Our Faro Focus is used for applications including boat hulls, interiors, engine rooms and hard to reach spaces such as service tunnels.
    The data can be processed for use as a visualisation and measurement tool or developed fully into CAD files for reverse engineering, design changes, performance analysis, repairs and as built comparisons.

  • Safeguarding & eTOD software GDMS-Desktop™ and GDMS-Enterprise™

    The requirements for Electronic Terrain and Obstacle Data (eTOD) started to make a big impact on the aviation industry towards the end of 2007 and a decision was made to develop a package that would both handle eTOD and carry out Aerodrome Safeguarding. Thus Geospatial Data Management System (GDMS) was created.

    GDMS is a bespoke Geographic Information System (GIS) for handling electronic data and carrying out obstruction analysis against Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS). Unlike many of it’s counterparts, GDMS is completely standalone and does not rely on a cumbersome and expensive background CAD package such as MicroStation or AutoCAD. GDMS was first launched in February 2009 and it is now in use at over 60 different locations around the world.

Contact

SLC Associates - Geomatic Solutions
Geomatic Solutions Ltd
Broadfields Court
Bicester Road
Aylesbury
Bucks
United Kingdom
HP19 8BU
  • +44 (0) 1296 717500

Social