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Aerial Surveying with Drone Technology

Drone-based surveying has transformed how we collect spatial data. Our UAV platforms equipped with LiDAR sensors and high-resolution cameras can rapidly map large areas, capture detailed imagery of hard-to-reach locations, and produce data products that would be impractical or cost-prohibitive with ground-based methods alone.

Whether you need an orthomosaic for project documentation, a dense point cloud for engineering design, or volumetric calculations for earthwork tracking, our drone survey capabilities deliver the data you need with survey-grade accuracy.

LiDAR vs. Photogrammetry

We offer both LiDAR and photogrammetry-based drone surveys, and we select the right technology based on your project requirements:

  • LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) — Laser-based scanning that penetrates vegetation canopy to map the ground surface beneath. Ideal for wooded areas, wetlands, and sites where ground visibility is limited
  • Photogrammetry — Uses overlapping aerial photographs to create 3D models and orthomosaic maps. Best for open terrain, construction sites, and projects needing high-resolution visual imagery
  • Combined approach — For many projects, we use both technologies together to capture the most complete dataset possible

Applications & Use Cases

Our drone survey capabilities serve a wide range of industries and project types:

  • Topographic mapping of large or inaccessible properties
  • Volumetric calculations for stockpiles, quarries, and earthwork projects
  • Construction progress monitoring and documentation
  • Corridor mapping for roads, pipelines, and transmission lines
  • Environmental assessment and wetland delineation support
  • Timber and forestry inventory mapping
  • Pre-development site assessment and feasibility studies
  • Emergency response and damage assessment
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Our Capabilities

What Sets Our Drone Program Apart

We combine professional land surveying expertise with advanced aerial technology for results you can build on.

FAA Part 107 Certified

Our pilots hold FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificates and commercial pilot licenses (fixed wing and sUAS), ensuring legal compliance and safe operations on every project.

Survey-Grade Accuracy

Unlike general-purpose drone operators, we integrate ground control and survey-grade GNSS positioning into every flight to achieve the accuracy standards that engineering projects demand.

Professional Deliverables

All data is processed and delivered in standard formats including AutoCAD, LAS/LAZ point clouds, GeoTIFF orthomosaics, and digital terrain models ready for your design workflow.

Common Questions

Drone Survey FAQ

When properly executed with ground control points and survey-grade equipment, drone surveys achieve accuracies comparable to traditional methods. The key difference is that we are licensed professional surveyors who integrate aerial data with established survey control, rather than simply flying a drone and delivering raw data. This ensures the results meet the accuracy standards required for engineering and legal purposes.

Photogrammetry (camera-based) cannot see through vegetation. However, LiDAR laser pulses can penetrate gaps in tree canopy to reach the ground surface below. This makes drone LiDAR particularly valuable for mapping wooded properties, forested tracts, and areas with dense vegetation where traditional ground surveys would be extremely time-consuming.

Our drone platforms can efficiently survey areas ranging from a few acres to several hundred acres in a single day, depending on the required data density and terrain. For very large projects, we plan multi-day operations. Drone surveys are particularly cost-effective for sites over 10 acres where traditional ground methods would require significantly more time.

An orthomosaic is a geometrically corrected aerial image created by stitching together hundreds or thousands of individual drone photographs. Unlike a single aerial photo, an orthomosaic is scaled uniformly so that distances and areas can be measured directly from the image, similar to a map. It provides a high-resolution visual record of the site at the time of the survey.

Yes. All commercial drone operations are regulated by the FAA under Part 107. Our pilots are certified and we obtain all necessary airspace authorizations before flying. For projects near airports or in restricted airspace, we coordinate with the appropriate authorities through the FAA’s LAANC system or manual authorization process.

Need Aerial Survey Data for Your Project?

From small sites to large tracts, our drone survey capabilities deliver accurate data efficiently. Contact us to discuss your project.