Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
What areas do you service?
We are based in Sydney and primarily service the Greater Sydney region, including Western Sydney, the Northern Beaches, and surrounding areas. We are also equipped and available for projects across New South Wales and throughout Australia.
Are your drone operations licensed and insured?
Absolutely. We are fully licensed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and hold a Remote Operator's Certificate (ReOC). Our operations are covered by comprehensive public liability insurance specifically for commercial drone work, ensuring peace of mind for all our clients.
What are the advantages of using drones over traditional methods?
Drones offer significant advantages in safety, efficiency, and data quality. They can access hard-to-reach or hazardous locations safely, reducing risks to personnel. Drone surveys are often completed in a fraction of the time of traditional methods, leading to cost savings. Furthermore, the high-resolution data captured by our advanced sensors provides detailed and actionable insights.
How much do your drone services cost?
The cost of our services varies depending on the project's complexity, the technology required (e.g., LiDAR, thermal), site accessibility, and the required data outputs. We provide customised quotes for each project to ensure you receive the most value. Please contact us with your project details for a comprehensive estimate.
Regulations & Safety
What regulations do you adhere to for drone flights in Sydney?
We strictly adhere to all CASA regulations for commercial drone operations. This includes maintaining a visual line of sight, not flying over 400 feet (120 meters) above ground level, and respecting no-fly zones around airports, helipads, and other restricted airspace. We also manage all necessary flight authorisations for operations in controlled airspace.
Can you fly in restricted airspace or near Sydney Airport?
Yes, as a licensed operator, we can apply for and obtain the necessary permissions and waivers from CASA and Airservices Australia to operate in restricted airspace. This is a complex process that we manage on behalf of our clients.
How do you ensure the safety of your drone operations?
Safety is our top priority. We conduct thorough pre-flight risk assessments for every mission, including airspace checks, weather evaluation, and on-site safety briefings. Our pilots are highly trained and experienced, and we utilise drones with built-in safety features such as obstacle avoidance and redundant systems.
Services & Technology
LiDAR, Mapping & Surveying
What is LiDAR and how is it used in your drone services?
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses laser pulses to measure distances to the Earth's surface. When mounted on a drone, it allows us to create highly accurate 3D models and maps of the terrain and infrastructure, even penetrating vegetation to capture the ground beneath.
How accurate are your drone topographic surveys?
Our survey-grade drones, equipped with RTK/PPK GPS technology, can achieve accuracy down to a few centimetres. The final accuracy of a project depends on factors such as the equipment used and the implementation of ground control points. We will work with you to determine the level of accuracy required for your specific project.
What are the outputs of your mapping and surveying services?
We can deliver a wide range of data formats tailored to your needs, including:
High-resolution orthomosaic maps
3D point clouds
Digital Terrain Models (DTM) and Digital Surface Models (DSM)
Contour maps
Volumetric calculations for stockpiles
Files compatible with GIS and CAD software (e.g., .LAS, GeoTIFF, DWG)
Asset & Thermal Inspections
What types of assets can you inspect?
We can inspect a wide variety of assets, including building facades, roofs, bridges, powerlines, telecommunication towers, solar farms, and other critical infrastructure. Our drones provide a safe and efficient way to assess the condition of these assets without the need for scaffolding or shutdowns.
How do thermal inspections work?
Our drones equipped with thermal cameras detect variations in heat signatures. This is invaluable for identifying issues such as water ingress in roofing, faulty solar panels, electrical faults in high-voltage equipment, and areas of heat loss in buildings for energy efficiency audits.
What information is included in an inspection report?
Our inspection reports are comprehensive and easy to understand. They include high-resolution visual and thermal imagery, detailed annotations of defects and areas of concern, and a summary of our findings and recommendations.
GIS & Topography
How is the drone data you collect integrated with GIS?
The data we capture is georeferenced, meaning it has real-world coordinates. This allows for seamless integration into your existing Geographic Information System (GIS) platforms like ArcGIS and QGIS. Our data can be used to update existing maps, perform spatial analysis, and create detailed topographic models.
What are the benefits of using drones for topographic mapping?
Drones offer a rapid and cost-effective solution for creating detailed topographic maps. They can cover large areas quickly and capture data with a high level of detail, making them ideal for land development, environmental monitoring, and construction planning. The resulting digital elevation models provide an accurate representation of the land's surface and features.