Professional guide for drone surveying provides a comprehensive introduction to data acquisition, processing and technique for this nascent industry. this course delivers actionable insight into the tremendous market opportunity for UAS-based photogrammetry and orthomosaic photography.

The main focus of this course is to teach the student concepts and best practices for drone deployment, data processing and generation of 3D models and orthophoto mosaics

Drones, or to give the technology its correct moniker, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aerial systems (UASs), are a rapidly evolving and highly adaptable form of disruptive technology. The technology has multiple potential applications within numerous surveying-related sectors, which range from geospatial surveying and mapping to scanning, building surveys, environmental monitoring and agriculture, to name just a few. This insight paper is designed to address a complex sector and to underline the critical importance of adhering to national and regional legislation and the associated regulations. UAVs are easy to access but more challenging to use. These challenges range from adhering to the relevant jurisdiction’s operating regulations, understanding the necessity for appropriate levels of training (piloting) and assessments to, importantly, providing the survey output clients expect from a professional surveyor. Although UAVs can be used for a wide variety of survey-related applications, we also wanted to give surveyors an insight into the importance of the sensors the drones carry, and how development of these sensors will play a pivotal role in the future success of the sector. Technological miniaturisation of laser scanning equipment, such as LiDAR, and the resurgence of high accuracy photogrammetry (and its related software) have meant UAV output and accuracy can now compete with the more established technology, such as satellite imagery and manned aircraft. Yet it is important to understand not only the potential applications of UAV use, but also its limitations. UAVs have evolved beyond the ‘hype’ and are now starting to become operationally viable on an expanding commercial basis. Of course, UAVs are not just for surveyor use and can be used by numerous other professions and sectors, but we are part of a broad church and believe that this insight paper provides an opportunity to understand and appreciate the potential benefits of UAV use.