Aerial surveys have been carried out by manned aircraft and even very labor-intensive methods on the ground. Recently, the use of drones has become very important, which allows one to collect accurate, high-resolution data much more easily, quicker, and at less cost than before. Drones thus enable the undertaking of topographic mapping, environmental monitoring, and construction site evaluations with increased efficiency. A few best practices and the use of appropriate drone technology can go a long way in ensuring that an aerial survey is accurate and productive.

Selection of the Right Drone for the Job

Selection of the right drone for a particular application is the very first step that has to be considered in the overall process of aerial surveys. Of course, not all drones are designed for a survey mission. For instance, surveying drones should be capable of mounting specialized equipment like a GPS system, quality cameras, or LiDAR sensors. Besides, the endurance of the flight, payload capacity, and flight stability of the drone will be other important factors. The robustness of the drone in different weather conditions is also very crucial, especially in the case of outdoor surveys.

Preparation for the Survey with Proper Planning

Before any aerial survey is conducted, there has to be some planning to ensure that the results are accurate and efficient. First, there is a need for a site assessment to understand the topography, weather conditions, and other obstacles that may interfere with the survey. Surveyors also have to design a flight plan which will determine the path the drone will fly, the altitude, and speed. A well-planned flight path helps in optimizing data gathering and ensures that the area is fully covered. It also depends on other factors such as the life of the battery and range of communication by the survey team to avoid breaks during the survey.

Using Drone Photography to Your Advantage in Data Collection

The major advantages of drones over aerial surveys are that they capture high-resolution images and video footage. It is mainly useful to construct visual records of large areas within drone photography, which can easily be combined with other methods of data gathering, such as GPS or LiDAR. With high-resolution cameras fitted on drones, surveyors can take high-detailed aerial photographs that would give a true representation of the landscape. These images are priceless in mapping projects, environmental studies, and construction planning, as they visualize data for businesses in ways ground-based surveys cannot access or even come close to.

Utilizing Specialized Sensors for Precision

Besides taking photographs, drones can be fitted with a variety of specialized sensors that enhance the precision and depth of data garnered in an aerial survey. For example, LiDAR makes use of laser pulses to create a very highly resolved map of the ground surface for studies on topography and vegetation. Multispectral sensors, on the other hand, measure lights in different parts of the light spectrum and output data useful for either agricultural or environmental monitoring. It all depends on what the survey actually means, as far as which one surveyors pick among many such sensors that do their job.

Managing Data for Accuracy and Usability

After flight, captured data must be processed and analyzed for accuracy. This is through specialized software in stitching images, aligning data from sensors, and building 3D models or topographic maps. Using photogrammetry techniques, surveyors convert visual and sensor data into a map representative of the area the surveyors will have mapped. More importantly, data should be calibrated against the positioning of drones, camera angles, and flying altitude to avoid error in the final output. Data processing tools can help ensure that all data captured is well aligned and ready for usage.

Assurance of Legal Compliance

The aerial survey with the use of drones has varying regulations with regard to locations and scale of the survey. Most states have their own drone flight laws for businesses to follow, such as altitude of flight restrictions, no-fly zones, and certification of the operators. It is important that the business stays abreast of such regulations and has the necessary permits or approvals for the surveying operations. Adherence to such rules ensures their operation does not have safety and legal implications apart from preventing costly delays or fines during survey operations.

Published by Mark V.