A Guide to Using

Drones for Surveying

COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

www.coptrz.com [email protected] +44 (0) 330 111 7177

Contents

Introduction
Why Use Drones for Surveying? 4

Applications
Types of Survey by Drone 6

Data Capture Techniques 10

Drone Surveying Workflow 12

Additional Uses Onsite 13

Equipent & Training

Current UK Regulations 14

Hardware Considerations 15

Drone Investment Checklist 17

Software Solutions 20

Specialist Training 22

Getting Started
Where to Start 23

Your Free Drone Surveying Strategy Session 23

2 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Introduction

Over the past 12 months, the use of drones as a surveying tool has increased dramatically. From 3D
modelling and site inspections to reducing health and safety risks on-site, surveying is one of the
key industries leading the way in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

According to a recent COPTRZ survey of over 45,000 drone users in the UK, it is expected that
the surveying industry will benefit most from drone technology in the coming years. Surveying
businesses that are already using drones are well ahead of the curve and experiencing great benefits
in comparison to traditional surveying methods. However, it's not as easy as simply purchasing
a drone and 3D mapping software licence. Starting drone operations within your business takes
serious consideration and planning. This guide aims to give you a complete overview of drones in
surveying and what you'll need to start reaping the benefits of this emerging technology.

COPTRZ are proud to be leading the way in enabling surveying businesses to benefit from drone
technology through accredited training and equipment provision. If you have any questions
during the process starting your aerial surveying business or integrating drones into your existing
operations, feel free to contact the team on +44(0) 330 111 7177 or email [email protected].

Surveying ranked
as #1 in terms of
opportunities by
sector.

Data gathered via a

COPTRZ survey of
over 45,000 drone
users and enthusiasts.

3
Why Use Drones for Surveying?

The use cases for drones in surveying continue to grow and here are just some of the key benefits
you can expect as a result of using drones in your day-to-day operations.

Reduced Costs

The use of drones can significantly reduce the costs of both equipment and labour, depending on
the piece of land being surveyed.

In most cases, a single drone survey will only require two operators; the pilot and assistant.
Additional cost savings will be made as a result of not needing access equipment such as scaffolding
or temporary platforms.

Faster Turnaround Times

Drones can provide the same data output as traditional surveys but in a fraction of the time. A job
that would once take multiple days can now be done in a matter of hours, without compromising on
the data output.

With a quick data process before leaving the site, a surveyor can perform the necessary processing
with the knowledge that no data has been missed, reducing the chances of returning to site another
day.

Intelligent software can enable a drone to fly a pre-defined route which can also be saved for future
surveys of the same piece of land. This feature comes as standard on many of the entry level UAVs
on the market.

4 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Improved Safety

Surveying is a safety-conscious industry with a continuous requirement to improve safety measures.

Drones are an effective way of reducing time spent within a hazardous and dynamic environment,
and in some cases removing personnel altogether.

Without compromising on data output, a drone can fly and survey potentially hazardous areas
where it was previously only possible on foot. Surveyors will no longer be required to risk injury by
accessing dangerous, unstable areas to collect data which is good news for your HSE (Health and
Safety Executive).

“ “By using drones, our staff

are much safer as they are
less exposed to heavy vehicle
movements whilst surveying"
“
Andrew Johnston, Innovair

5 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Applications

Types of Survey by Drone

Topographical Survey

You can use a drone to conduct topographical surveys, providing highly accurate measurements
equivalent to data collected by traditional land surveying, but in a fraction of the time. A UAV
can be fitted with either a standard RGB camera or more advanced LiDAR scanner depending on
the survey accuracy required. Data is then fed into bespoke software such as Pix4D or Propeller
Platform to provide a topographical survey that can be used for:

• Measuring site dimensions

• Creating 3D models in BIM software
• Importing into CAD
• Providing health and safety assessments

6 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Building & Land Progress Survey

Progress surveys enable key stakeholders to continue monitoring how a project or piece of land is
changing over time. Drones are particularly useful for progress reporting with the ability to set a
pre-defined flight path for repeatable surveys of the same area.

Data can be fed into your chosen 3D modelling software to provide an overlay that will clearly
display any progress that has been made during a set time. This type of survey is particularly useful
monitoring coastal erosion over time.

Before and after progress photos of a

construction project captured by a drone.

Data is then imported to Pix4D and is

shareable to stakeholders for analysis.

7
Volumetric Survey

You can use a drone and 3D modelling software such as Propeller Platform to provide highly
accurate volumetric measurements of stockpiles. This is one of the most obvious use cases for
drones in surveying, delivering immediate cost savings and improved oversight.

Using a drone, the surveyor can capture many more images than if they were to be manually
capturing the points by scrambling up and down a stockpile. The result is a much more precise 3D
surface model which will render higher accuracy in stockpile measurements.

Measuring the volume of a stockpile using

the Propeller Platform. Historical data in
the platform allows for the user to view
changes in stockpile volumes over time.

8 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Webinar: Using Drone for
Surveying

Drones are revolutionising the way surveyors gather data, making day-to-day operations faster,
safer and more cost-effective when compared to traditional surveying methods. During this free
webinar, James Pick, COPTRZ UAV Strategist will discuss the subject in more detail and give you an
insight into how you can capitalise on the use of drone technology.

Webinar: Using Drones for Surveying

Watch Now

9 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Data Capture Techniques

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is undoubtedly the most common data capture technique when it comes to using
drones for surveying. Most drones feature an RGB camera and highly accurate photogrammetry can
be achieved with even the most basic drones on the market.

There is a number of 'off-the-shelf' 3D modelling platforms available that provide a great basis from
which to run your surveying operation and will integrate seamlessly with your drone hardware.
Photogrammetry is sufficient for most open area surveying tasks, however, accuracy is lost when
vegetation and other 'above ground' objects are present.

Use photogrammetry when:

Mapping earthwork projects, mines or open
areas of land that are not obscured by trees
or other objects.

10 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

LiDAR

The use of UAV LiDAR has increased significantly in the past 12 months as LiDAR scanner and UAV
integrations have become easily achievable. As development continued in LiDAR sensor design and
improved functionality of drones, merging these platforms and sensors was inevitable.

As a data capture platform, LiDAR is invaluable, providing a significant increase in accuracy in

areas which photogrammetry would struggle. It's ability to penetrate through vegetation and other
objects to find true ground level make it perfect for surveying built-up areas such as a train line or
power line.

Use LiDAR when:

Mapping train lines, power lines or other
areas where there are narrow, sharp-edged
features that are required in the data set.

11 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

 Drone Surveying Workflow

CAPTURE

• Pre-flight planning
• Configure ground control points (GCP's)
• Flight operation and data acquisition

PROCESS

• Import data into your chosen mapping

software
• Generate point clouds
• Import into additional software if required
(e.g. AutoCAD)

ANALYSE

• Use relevent software to manipulate the

data to create your desired outcome such
as a topographical analysis, stockpile
volumetric measurement or progress
report

SHARE

• Export desired reports and share with

clients

12 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Additional Uses Onsite

Structural Inspections

Use a drone to inspect a structure without needing to set up expensive access equipment and send
workers into potentially unsafe areas. With an optical zoom camera such as the DJI Zenmuse Z30,
the drone operator can maintain a safe distance from a structure and still gather high-quality data.

Montoring Construction Progress

Allow external stakeholders to monitor the job site from an aerial perspective without needing to
physically attend. Many drones on the market can provide a live video feed from the camera directly
to any device connected to a high-speed internet connection.

13 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Equipment & Training

Current UK Regulations

Permission for Commercial Operations

In order to be able to use a drone commercially, you will first need to obtain your permission for
commercial operations (PfCO). This is a legal requirement in the UK, governed by the Civil Aviation
Authority (CAA) and actively enforced by the police.

The process of obtaining your PfCO will involve attending a PfCO Training Course delivered by a
CAA approved NQE. Generally, it is required that you have a basic understanding of drone flight and
approximately 4 hours experience flying your drone before taking the flight test.

COPTRZ CAA PfCO Drone Training

The COPTRZ CAA Drone Training Course will allow you to gain the full up to
date package of skills, knowledge and experience needed to apply for your
Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) from the CAA. The course
takes place over a 4-day period and includes a pre-course study guide, ground
school lessons, theory test, flight test and operations manual review.

In addition to your PfCO, COPTRZ can also separately provide you with an
academically registered qualification under OFQUAL (Office of Qualifications
and Examinations Regulation) as a Level 4 award. That means if you choose
COPTRZ for your PfCO, you’ll have the option to receive a vocational Level 4 award recognised
across the board in the construction & surveying sector, representing a standard between an
A-level and a degree (ONC/HNC level).

The course is currently available in 12 locations throughout the UK; Edinburgh, Hampshire,
Barnsley, Cardiff, Brighton, Belfast, Rugby, Kent, Middlesbrough, Aberdeen, Norfolk and Leeds.

14 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Hardware Considerations

Multirotor

These are the most common types of drone available and make up the vast majority of commercial
and consumer models available. Many different configurations are available but they generally
follow the same design principle. There is a central chassis which connects up to eight fixed-pitched
propellers to control the speed, direction and elevation of the aircraft.

These propellers control the direction and elevation of the aircraft by varying the speed of each
propeller to alter the amount of thrust and torque produced. This gives the aircraft a unique set of
handling characteristics, allowing it to fly with extreme precision in both enclosed and open space.

The four-propeller multirotor (quadcopter) is the most popular design because it provides the
best balance between lift, control, manoeuvrability and cost. The DJI Matrice 200 Series is a good
example of a four-propeller drone, with the DJI Matrice 210 RTK providing an adequate payload of
up to 2KG, and a range of up to 7KM (4.4 miles), more than enough for most surveying applications.

Operators that require more lifting capacity may want to opt for the DJI Wind 8, eight-rotor
(octocopter) which can lift an incredible 10KG. When combined with its 39 min flight time, this
model represents the ultimate high-performance drone capable of carrying out in-depth surveys
across all types of terrain and weather conditions.

While multirotor drones provide a number of advantages for surveying compared to fixed-wing
aircraft. That doesn’t mean they are the de facto choice for surveying. Operators should review the
pros and cons of each before making a final decision.

Pros: Cons:
• Greater manoeuvrability • Reduced range
• Compact design
• Ease of use
• Cost effective
• Increased payload capacity

15 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Fixed-wing

Fixed-wing drones will be familiar to everyone since they look like conventional aircraft. There are a
number of different configurations available, but typically they have a fuselage with two wings and a
single rotor. Fixed-wing aircraft are most popular in the agricultural and oil and gas industries since
they can cover large areas at high speed. They are less common for surveying applications but do
have some interesting characteristics that users may find useful.

Pros: Cons:
• Increased range • Take-off and landing area required
• Ability to recover from power loss • Increased cost
• Greater stability • More difficult to fly
• Less manoeuvrable
• Larger airframe

16 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

 View Full
Case Study

“ “COPTRZ have provided us with several systems now

and if we were in the market for more systems then I
wouldn’t look anywhere else.
“
Their knowledge, support and friendly approach
means we will continue to have a successful
relationship for many years to come.”

Andrew Johnston, Innovair

17 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Do I Need Ground Control Points?

The decision to use ground control points depends entirely on the accuracy of the data that you
require. If you are contracted to provide data at a high level of global accuracy, for example for a
construction project, then it is recommended that you use dedicated ground control points such as
Propeller AeroPoints.

Even if your drone is RTK enabled, it is still recommended that you have ground control points that
can validate what is being captured by the drone and correct any optical distortion.

Make it Easy: Invest in a Complete Drone Package

If you've already purchased a drone or are in the process of doing so, you'll already be well aware of
the vast array of options and integrations available. In most cases, your drone hardware, software
and ground control points will be manufactured by different brands, so ensuring that they all work
together is paramount.

If you're relatively new to the world of drones, it would be worth looking at surveying specific
packages such as the COPTRZ SUST, which is a ready-to-use, out-of-the-box solution including
everything from the drone itself through to software and CAA accredited pilot training.

18 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Drone Investment Checklist

Data Output Requirements

How will you be using drones?
What jobs will you be performing?
What data output is required?

Drone Specifications
Does your drone need to fly for a minimum length of time?
Does your drone need to be weather resistant?
Does your drone need to integrate with an existing camera or payload?

Budget
What is your current budget for your drone/fleet of drones?
Can you access financing options for your drone?

Drone Hardware Provider

Do you need ongoing support with your drone setup?
Can they provide a 24-month warranty?
Can they provide you with a complete hardware solution for your business?

19 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Software Solutions

Similar to your choice of drone, choosing which software package to utilise depends on your
required data output. You may even end up using a variety of software packages to achieve your
desired outcome. The real beauty of the current software landscape is the number of packages
available which are both cost effective and easy to use for surveyors. Below we'll look at two of the
most common.

Pix4D

Pix4D is one of the most feature-packed 3D mapping software packages on the market. Unlike
other software Pix4D has designed multiple versions for specific industries, including agriculture,
surveying, civil engineering, and construction.

The benefit of this is you get all the features needed to carry out the task of mapping for a specific
industry. For example, with agriculture, detailed digital surface maps can be created allowing
farmers to plan crop cycles and create more accurate yield estimations.

Pros:
Powerful feature-rich software with a range of versions available to suit specific industries. Can
easily connect with industry-specific management platforms to help create yield predictions, profit
and loss accounts, planning documents and detailed site plans. Technical support is also one of the
best in the industry.

Cons:
Expensive for the casual user but the range of features available more than compensates for this.
Due to its complexity, the software can be difficult to master for beginners.

20 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Propeller Network

Propeller’s drone mapping software gives you the ability to measure and manage your site yourself.
It features visual tools that you can use from any device, anywhere.

Propeller Network is ideal for heavy civil and resource operations and helps you and your team to
work better together to answer questions about site productivity and progress.

Their system allows you to see earthworks progress, report on inventory, and track changes with
3D surveys. The data is captured quickly, safely, and cost-effectively.

Propeller also has the incredibly handy AeroPoints. They are the world’s first smart Ground Control
Point system and have been specifically designed for drone surveying. They are lightweight and
durable and are already used in thousands of surveys in some of the toughest conditions.

Pros:
Propeller is ideal for team data collections, and is a quick and efficient data collection and
management system. It also has data analytics that is tailored for your industry, as well as their
AeroPoints feature.

Cons:
This platform is aimed at a more experienced user market. So with that in mind, wouldn’t be ideal
for first-time users or new commercial drone businesses.

21 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Specialist Training

3D Mapping Workshops - Pix4D & Propeller

If you're a complete novice when it comes to aerial 3D mapping packages, it may well be worth
joining an introductory workshop session where you can gain a feel for the software. In many cases,
a free temporary licence key will be given as part of the workshop which means you can test the
software capabilities before investing in a monthly or annual licence subscription.

As a Pix4D reseller, COPTRZ run a regular introductory aerial 3D mapping workshop where you'll
learn the complete Pix4D process from initial flight planning to GCP usage and best-practise data
processing. Our previous students find this invaluable as it allows them to get to grips with the
software much quicker.

Consider Bespoke Courses for 10+

If you're part of a larger organisation who are looking to train a number of drone pilots, you may
be in a position to approach a drone training provider who can create a bespoke training course
specific to your requirements. This could be a mix of a standard PfCO alongside 3D mapping and
training on a specific drone.

22 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Getting Started

Speak to a Commercial Drone Solution Provider

Before embarking on a mission to source the cheapest kit possible, it's important that you gain
some advice from a commercial drone solution provider. The sheer number of possible integrations
of drones, payloads and software can be confusing for those with limited experience. Choosing the
wrong solution from the outset can result in poor data, wasted money, and worst of all, a solution
that is not future-proofed for your business needs.

COPTRZ can assist you with this by assessing your required data output and providing you with a
complete solution, through best-in-world drones (also known as UAVs), payloads, software, training
and consultancy to deliver the best possible drone strategy for your organisation.

Your Free Drone Surveying Strategy Session

Ready to get started with your drone operations? As part of our commitment to drive forward the
use of drones in construction and surveying, we are offering you a free 30-minute drone strategy
consultation.

This is your chance to get 1-on-1 with one of our expert consultants and cover hardware, training,
industry-specific applications and best practice methods in integrating drones into your current
workflows.

If you're looking to get started or scale up your drone operation in the next few months, please click
the link below to request your free strategy session:

Click here to book your free drone strategy session.

23 COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS

Contact COPTRZ™

+44 (0) 330 111 7177 COPTRZ™

[email protected] 1.10 Platform
www.coptrz.com New Station Street
Leeds
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COMMERCIAL DRONE EXPERTS