The GIC houses the University Air Photo Collection of approximately 260,000 aerial photos. This is the only large collection of aerial photographs in Vancouver, second in size only to the source collection at Geo Data BC in Victoria. The GIC has a collection of federal, provincial and private aerial photographs dating from 1922 to 1999 for many areas in BC and some areas in the Yukon. The majority of the air photos held by the GIC are vertical black and white.
Colour photos are available for selected areas.
Each photo is cross referenced to an index map or flight report that indicates the exact flight path, flight altitude, date, and time of exposure. These air photographs are filed according to the air photo roll numbers and are located in the compact storage behind the reference area. Consult the N.T.S. index map for BC or the Gazeteer of B.C.to determine the correct number. Once you have the NTS number, decide how much area you wish to cover, or what you wish to see from the air photo. Locate the correct book of N.T.S. flight index maps at the correct scale, then find the N.T.S. number you require.