GeoOptic utilizes drone-based aerial mapping on many of our clients’ sites, offering rapid, highly accurate, full-property topographic data to be captured and incorporated into the analysis of the site.

The on-board camera of the UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) is checked and programmed to take shots of the terrain below at regular intervals.

Next, the UAV is launched into the air and flown to a maximum altitude of 900ft. It flies back and forth in a tight pattern to capture each part of the site.

These images will be knit together into a single image of the site, and will provide a high resolution digital elevation model. This elevation model can be used to estimate stockpile volumes, plan site drainage, or map slopes outside permitted allowances.

Our GIS Specialist collects additional data points using GPS equipment on the ground, giving an additional layer of information and accuracy. The resulting survey will have an accuracy of +-10cm.