What is aerial surveying?

A glance through news stories from the last year reveals some amazing discoveries: unexploded bombs accurately located in Canadian peat bogs; rare sightings of an endangered fin whale and its calf; even discoveries relating to long-lost Roman legions. The thing that connects all these discoveries is that they were made by people scanning the land from the air – in other words, Aerial surveying. 

Aerial surveying refers to any survey conducted from the air. Data can include photographs, topographical information gathered by LiDAR, or even air quality measurements. Compared to land-based mobile mapping, aerial surveying generally covers much larger areas. Drone-based aerial surveys can also reach smaller, hard-to-access areas, as highlighted in our Dronezone case study. 

Industries such as construction, transportation, and agriculture regularly rely on aerial surveys for their projects. Compared to traditional ground surveys, aerial surveys deliver speed, coverage, and accuracy that can dramatically improve decision-making.

OXTS has supported aerial surveying customers for years, helping them make amazing discoveries and enable next-generation services with highly accurate and reliable positioning data for georeferencing aerial survey outputs. To find out more about our solutions, or discuss your particular project, click below to get in touch. 

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Aerial mapping survey combine a variety of sensors with localisation technology to create highly accurate datasets. A wide range of sensors can be used, including:

• LiDAR sensors, for topographical mapping
• Hyperspectral sensors, to capture material properties
• Photogrammetry, using camera imagery to estimate 3D distances and analyse colour ranges
• Specialised sensors, such as air quality monitors or acoustic sensors

No matter the sensor, localisation data is crucial. Without knowing the precise position of each datapoint, survey results are less valuable. Accurate georeferencing ensures that archaeologists, engineers, or planners know exactly where to act based on survey findings.

The process for an aerial mapping survey generally involves the following steps:

1. Gather survey and positioning data using sensors in-flight
2. Run post-processing algorithms on the localisation data after the curvey to maximise the accuracy of the data
3. Combine the survey data and positioning data to create a georeferenced dataset

Key tools used in aerial surveying include: 

• GNSS/INS (Inertial Navigation System) for precise positioning 

• High-resolution cameras for photogrammetry 

• LiDAR sensors for 3D mapping 

• UAV and drone systems for flexible, small-scale surveys 

• Post-processing software for trajectory correction. 

When synchronised with the sensors gathering the survey data, a GNSS/INS provides precision positioning information for every survey datapoint you gather. The data can be combined in real time, or after the survey during what’s known as post-processing. During post-processing, various algorithms and processes can be applied to the data to make it as accurate as possible – down to the centimetre, in the case of OXTS GNSS/INS devices. 

Aerial surveys can be conducted from multiple platforms: 

• Fixed-wing aircraft 

• Helicopters 

• Drones/UAVs 

Each platform has pros and cons. Aircraft and helicopters cover larger areas and carry heavier sensors but come with higher costs and stricter regulatory requirements. Drones are cost-effective and versatile, particularly useful for hard-to-reach or small-scale projects, but limited by battery life and payload capacity. OXTS systems are compatible with both manned and unmanned aerial survey platforms, giving you flexibility if you plan on building a fleet of aerial surveying platforms for a range of use cases. 

Aerial mapping surveys are used across industries, including: 

• Urban planning: mapping cities and infrastructure 

• Road and rail infrastructure: supporting construction and maintenance 

• Utilities and telecoms: monitoring installations and planning expansions 

• Forestry and environmental monitoring: assessing ecosystems and tracking change. 

High-accuracy 3D data supports better decisions, increases safety, and reduces costs and timelines. OXTS equipment has been deployed in a variety of aerial survey projects, delivering reliable positioning data to customers around the world. 

Compared to ground-based surveying, aerial surveys offer efficiency, greater scale, and higher data resolution. They allow surveyors to capture wide areas quickly and at lower cost per unit area. Limitations include weather dependency and regulatory requirements for airspace use. These are typically managed with careful planning and reliable equipment – in particular, a localisation solution that can function effectively in a range of environments an even when GNSS signal isn’t at full strength. 

Aerial surveys are changing the landscape for survey firms, enabling them to compete in new markets with faster delivery and higher accuracy. 

The more accurate your localisation data is, the more accurate your survey data is. For commercial surveying companies, this means you could charge more for your services, or improve customer satisfaction. In fact, robust localisation can take surveying into completely new spaces. 

GNSS-aided inertial navigation systems (INS) are considered the gold standard for survey-grade mapping. They combine satellite positioning with inertial measurements to deliver precise localisation data, even when GNSS signals are weak. Corrections – either those done in real time such as RTK, or those done in post-process such as PPK – further enhance accuracy, achieving centimetre-level precision. 

Accurate localisation ensures survey data integrity and customer trust. OXTS is committed to delivering precision and reliability, with hardware and software solutions that meet the demands of aerial survey professionals. 

OXTS has a range of GNSS/INS devices designed with aerial surveying in mind. You can discover the details on our aerial surveying application page, but the key highlights include: 

• Our RT3000 v4 DO-160, which delivers centimetre-level accuracy and is housed in an enclosure designed for aerospace environments. It has the widest range of DO-160 test coverage of any MEMS GNSS/INS on the market. 

• The xNAV650, a small but powerful GNSS/INS that’s ideal for SWaP-constrained aerial surveys including drones and UAV surveys. 

• The xRED, a board set GNSS/INS that offers centimetre-level precision in a fully integrateable PCB form factor. 

We have also recently developed OXTS WayFinder, our first plug-and-play GNSS-denied localisation device. We’re excited to see how it helps the next generation of surveyors take their skills into new environments. 

Get in touch with us today!