Efficient and Accurate Site Mapping with UAV Technology
Land surveying precision has improved with the integration of drone technology. While traditional ground-based methods remain important for precision measurement, drones – also referred to as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – allow surveyors to capture large-scale, high-resolution data in less time and without many physical limitations.
At Aerial Land Surveying, we provide drone survey services across Long Island, providing advanced aerial imaging to deliver reliable, comprehensive site data. These surveys are used for planning, engineering, and documentation purposes in both residential and commercial projects, and our team is ready to use this technology to support your survey efforts.
What is a Drone Survey?
A drone survey is an approach to land surveys that uses UAV-mounted cameras and sensors to capture topographic and spatial data from above the site. The images collected are processed using photogrammetry software to generate accurate digital surface models, contour maps, and orthomosaic imagery.
Drone surveying enhances efficiency and accessibility to help your project move forward. It is particularly useful for:
- Large or difficult-to-access properties.
- Construction sites requiring frequent progress updates.
- Land development and infrastructure planning.
- Agricultural and environmental assessments.
- Mapping after natural changes such as flooding or erosion.
Drone technology is a fast way to collect data, and provides datapoints that are often hard to obtain without it. Our experience allows us to help you gain accurate precise data every time.
Types of Drone Surveys
Different survey types serve different purposes depending on the stage and scope of a project. Drone surveying technology can assist or supplement many of these methods by collecting aerial imagery and geospatial data efficiently.
Common survey types include:
- Boundary Surveys – Establish legal property lines and identify encroachments or easements. Often required for property transactions, title insurance, or construction permits.
- Topographic Surveys – Map the contours and elevation of a site, showing natural and man-made features. Frequently used in engineering design, drainage studies, and site planning.
- ALTA/NSPS Surveys – Provide standardized documentation of property boundaries, improvements, utilities, and rights-of-way, typically for commercial real estate transactions.
- Construction Surveys – Guide active construction work by verifying elevations, alignments, and building placements against approved plans.
- Subdivision Surveys – Divide a tract of land into smaller parcels for development or sale, ensuring compliance with local zoning and planning regulations.
- Floodplain and Elevation Surveys – Determine elevation relative to base flood levels for insurance, FEMA compliance, and site drainage design.
- As-Built Surveys – Document the final position of completed structures and improvements, confirming they match design specifications.
Drone technology enhances these survey types by providing consistent aerial imagery, volumetric calculations, and progress monitoring data that can be combined with ground measurements for precise documentation.
Advantages of Drone-Based Surveying
Using drones in surveying offers several benefits for those that are looking to obtain accurate survey data. Examples of these benefits include:
- Time Efficiency – Drones can survey large tracts of land in a fraction of the time required by traditional fieldwork.
- Enhanced Safety – Reduces the need for surveyors to access hazardous terrain or active construction zones.
- High-Resolution Imaging – Produces detailed aerial imagery that supports engineering design and documentation.
- Repeatable Monitoring – Enables consistent data collection at multiple intervals to track progress, volume changes, or environmental shifts.
- Integration with GIS and CAD Systems – Data collected by UAVs can be processed into usable formats for engineers, planners, and architects.
Each survey is tailored to the specific requirements of the site and the project, ensuring that aerial data complements legal and engineering-grade measurements.
Data Processing and Quality Control
At Aerial Land Surveying, the accuracy of a drone survey depends not only on the technology used but also on the calibration and verification process. Our team integrates aerial data with ground control points (GCPs) to ensure spatial precision.
Collected imagery is processed using specialized photogrammetry and mapping software to generate:
- Orthomosaic maps
- Digital elevation and surface models
- 3D reconstructions and volume analyses
All data is reviewed for consistency with state and local surveying standards before being finalized and delivered to clients or project engineers.
Applications Across Long Island
Drone surveying is used throughout Long Island for projects involving:
- Site development and grading verification
- Utility and infrastructure planning
- Roadway and drainage design
- Environmental conservation mapping
- Pre-construction documentation and monitoring
From small residential developments to large-scale infrastructure projects, drone surveys provide reliable visual and geospatial information to assist with accurate planning and compliance.
Reliable Aerial Mapping for Modern Projects
Aerial Land Surveying combines drone technology with professional surveying expertise to deliver dependable data and documentation for projects across Long Island. Our approach emphasizes accuracy, efficiency, and integration with traditional ground-based surveying to meet both legal and technical requirements.
If you require drone survey services or would like to discuss how aerial mapping can support your next project, contact Aerial Land Surveying to request a consultation.