Imaer Portugal is one of five companies that make up the Aerocondor Group Limited. Charter photography makes up most of the workload for its Beechcraft Baron and Cessna 414 Chancellor; the latter aircraft is currently out of action while its engines are RAM remanufactured to increase their power and improve climb.

EBAN's Daniel Cook spoke to Lt. Col. Silva E Castro, Imaer's managing director, about the mechanics of aerial photography and the advent of digital technology.

"We are trying to transform the Cessna with RAM remanufactured engines. We are negotiating the engine because we must replace one engine by the end of the year. Also, I want to increase the horsepower from 310 to 325.

"I need more speed from the aircraft, more power. Normally we use the Cessna for aerial photography, and a lot of flights involve going to 35,000 feet," Castro said.

"We have new equipment in the aircraft: a Planex, from Canada, for positioning the centre of the photograph. We also have GPS, and an inertial system. We can be accurate now to ten or fifteen centimetres and the positioning to a decimal of a degree."

EBAN's most recent Portuguese regional review was September 1999. At this time, Imaer was hoping to have its own photo laboratory, but is still relying on one owned by a company who hires out Imaer for its photography requirements. The lab is some 30km distant. "We are changing now for digital work because at this moment we are considering taking possession of equipment for this change and we must prepare for the new type of camera," said Castro.

"We intend to buy new equipment early next year and we must wait to see what capabilities these type of cameras have.

"We have a lot of work. Last year we had about 400 jobs, this year we have at this moment about 325. We must try to reach 500, I think.

"Every year we photograph a lot of Portugal for the Ministry of Agriculture. Our partner company photographed in black and white for them last year, and myself in colour. We do a lot of road surveys for maps. This country is ever developing, so we have a lot of work."

While the vast majority of Imaer's time is spent at home in Portugal, Castro reports that missions to Africa are emerging as a new market: The company is considering sub-chartering an aircraft from another European operator since its Baron is not suitable for operating in Africa.

"We have had some demands from Africa, but with the Cessna out of action we could not go. But we may be going to another charterer in Germany, or get another aircraft from Norway.

"We must have a turboprop for African operations," believes Castro, "and for other jobs far from Europe.

Companies of the Aerocondor Group fly throughout Portugal with some regular routes between small towns. They also fly in Ireland and the south of France with a Shorts twin, and have a base in Aberdeen, Scotland.