Aerial Photogrammetry

Drone technology lets us survey large areas in hours where conventional methods would take weeks. The result is high-resolution orthophotos, accurate volume calculations and visually clear 3D models.

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Overview

When drone surveying beats the conventional method

Large, open or hard-to-reach areas - where walking a total station costs weeks.

A single flight collects tens of millions of points, from which we build an orthophoto, a terrain model and accurate volume calculations. Where a conventional survey would take several days, fieldwork finishes in a few hours - and the result is denser than point-by-point measurement can achieve at all.

Accuracy is increased further by ground control points, which we survey with a GNSS receiver before the flight.

Coordinate system: LKS-92 TM, LAS-2000,5
Horizontal accuracy: ±2–3 cm with ground control
Volume calculation error: typically under 0.01 %
Delivery formats: GeoTIFF, LAS, DWG, PDF, 3D model

Scope

What we can capture from the air

One flight, from which we produce different deliverables.

High-resolution orthophoto map production
A scaled, accurate image of the site, usable in design work and presentations.
Digital terrain and surface models (DTM/DSM)
The models allow slope, water runoff and earthwork volumes to be calculated.
Volume calculations for soil and material stockpiles
Repeat flights give comparable data for invoicing and stock accounting.
3D modelling of sites and buildings
Visual models for investor presentations and complex site planning.
Periodic aerial documentation of construction progress
An objective record of construction progress, with date and coordinates.
Topographic plans based on aerial imagery
On open sites the aerial imagery can serve as the basis for a topographic plan.

Applications

Where a drone pays off most

Sites where aerial data covers its own cost on the first survey.

At quarries and landfills - for regular volume calculations
For large areas where conventional surveying is too slow
To document construction progress for investors
In hard-to-reach places - marshland, slopes, rooftops
Surveying farmland and land drainage systems
Before and after earthworks, to record the volume actually moved

Workflow

How a drone survey is carried out

Six steps from flight planning to processed data.

01
Flight planning
We assess the site and required accuracy, and arrange clearance if the area sits in restricted airspace.
02
Ground control points
We place and survey ground control points that deliver maximum accuracy wherever it is required.
03
Aerial imaging
We fly the planned route, capturing imagery with the required overlap.
04
Photogrammetric processing
We process the imagery into a point cloud, orthophoto and terrain model.
05
Analysis and calculations
We calculate volumes, areas or cross-sections according to your requirements.
06
Delivery
We deliver the data in the format you need - orthophoto, DWG, point cloud or a calculation report.

Deliverables

What you receive after the flight

A data set that opens both in design software and in an ordinary viewer.

Orthophoto map in GeoTIFF with coordinate referencing
Digital terrain and surface models
Volume calculation report with cross-sections
3D model viewable without specialist software

Typical duration

Flight 2–5 hours; processing and delivery 3–7 days.

Important to know

Flights in urban areas and near airports require clearance from the Civil Aviation Agency.
We do not fly in heavy rain, fog or wind exceeding the drone operating limits.

Questions

Questions about aerial photogrammetry

Tell us about the site and we will work out whether a drone is the cheaper option for it.

How large an area can be surveyed in one day?

Depending on the accuracy required, a single flight covers 30–50 ha, and in a full day we typically survey up to 150 ha including setting out ground control points.

How accurate are drone measurements?

With correctly placed ground control points we achieve 2–3 cm horizontal and 3–5 cm vertical accuracy, which is sufficient for volume calculations and topographic plans.

Can a drone replace conventional topographic surveying?

Partly. In open terrain a drone is faster and cheaper, but dense vegetation and underground utilities still require conventional field measurements. We often combine both methods.

What formats will I receive the results in?

Standard delivery includes an orthophoto (GeoTIFF), a terrain model and a DWG file. On request we also supply a point cloud (LAS) or a 3D model.