Ask The Experts!

Most modern day UAVs are equipped with RTK capabilities. This enables relative accuracies of sub centimeter-level. 

When using RTK or PPK GNSS technology and coupled with ground control points, UAVs can achieve centimeter-level absolute accuracy, making them suitable for high-precision mapping and volumetric calculations.  

Common sensors include high-resolution RGB cameras, thermal imaging cameras, LiDAR scanners, multispectral cameras. 

More specialist sensors include magnetometers, ground penetrating radar, echo sounders, ultrasonic sensors and gas detection sensors.  

 Limitations include battery life, weather sensitivity, RF Interferences, regulatory restrictions on flying near restricted areas, and visual line-of-sight requirements which are dependent on operator approvals.   

Site mapping and terrain modelling, 

Clearance surveys and buried object/utilities detection, 

Volume calculation (stockpiles, cut/fill) 

Progress tracking with regular flyovers 

As-built verification vs plans 

Safety inspections of scaffolding, roofs, and towers. 

Creation of Digital twin models and environments  

 Weekly or bi-weekly flyovers are common for progress tracking; daily if being used for safety or live project monitoring.   

 UAV's enhance but don’t fully replace land surveyors. UAVs accelerate data collection and offer a significantly higher level of detail than traditional methods, but a chartered surveyor is often still needed for legal and boundary determinations.   

 They eliminate the need for rope access or scaffolding and reduce human exposure to height, hazardous atmospheres, and confined spaces.   

 Yes. Ports are typically in controlled airspace. Operators need coordination with port authorities and ATC, and sometimes a maritime UAV operation license.   

 Yes. UAVs help digitise assets through regular visual surveys, feeding data into asset management systems to predict maintenance needs.