Black Mountains Geomatics

We provide a comprehensive range of survey and mapping solutions from the air using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), more commonly known as drones. We serve heritage, archaeology, construction, structural engineering, aggregate (quarrying) and the agricultural industries to name a few.

Our geomatics team are able to provide landscape surveys, topographical surveys, building surveys, monument surveys, condition surveys, and many more. We utilise a wide range of sensors (cameras) including thermal, multispectral and RGB. We are able to survey any size area, monument, building or object (artefacts) efficiently and produce centimetre accurate results. Our outputs include detailed 2D and 3D drawings and 3D models in a variety of interactive and measurable formats.

All of our pilots are experienced surveyors, fully flight trained and hold a Civil Aviation Authority permission to undertake such work (Operational Aurthorisation and A2CofC). We are able to provide cost effective survey solutions to a broad spectrum of clients and industries.

Multispectral survey for agricultural plant health

The main objectives of our photogrammetric surveys are to produce metrically accurate rendered photorealistic 3D modelling of the survey area, buildings and general scenes georeferenced with high accuracy. Modelling utilises Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetric techniques obtained through camera capable SUA (drone) to produce measurable 3D models of the photographed scene. The term photogrammetry was first coined by a Prussian architect Albrecht Meydenbauer in an 1867 article called ‘Die Photometrographie’ and Dominique Arago, a French surveyor, was using photographs to create topographic maps as early as 1840.

Modern photogrammetric methods used flat lensed cameras to create photogrammetric montages of buildings or other methods such as stereoscopy using multiple aerial images to create the illusion of depth (3D) from 2D images.

Present day photogrammetry uses sophisticated algorithms and workflows to digitally stitch each pixel together to create real world measured 3D representations of the photographed scene with outputs including dense point clouds (LAS), triangular meshes (OBJ) and orthophotography (plans and elevations – georeferenced TIFF).

The accuracy or more appropriately the margin of error is calculated using the ground sampling distance (GSD), which is the distance between two adjacent pixel centres normalised to real world dimensions. Centimetre accuracy of photogrammetric outputs is reached by using Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS (satellite navigation systems) survey methods of control points within the surveyed area.