Last week we carried out a land survey with a drone using photogrammetry to accurately model the site. The site included the complex of farm buildings, the historic farmhouse, the associated pastoral fields and woodland.
3d model of a historic farm complex on an elevated site
This land survey consisted of 3 separate flights. One to measure the farm, surrounding fields and woodland. Another to measure for a more detailed model around the farm complex. The third was for high-detail modelling around the main farmhouse.
The main farm complex
3d model viewed from above
Why measure a land survey with a drone?
Speed
The flights took 50 minutes in total, and covered a distance of 18km, capturing 1,200 images across 25 hectares of pastoral farmland and woodland. This would have been an all-day survey by traditional means, more if the woodland was surveyed. During the short days at this time of year, it would have been 2 days for the survey plus another to model the farm buildings. 2 to 4 days reduced to 2 hours on site is a huge productivity gain.
Cheaper
Time is money. Saving time on site cuts precious site time, cutting expensive equipment costs. Site time is where the logistical costs are. Insurance, accommodation, mileage, equipment costs, and high staff costs all mount up.
Safer
Working farms can be dangerous around heavy plant, machinery and livestock. Carrying out this land survey with a drone saved surveyors from many, trip and fall hazards and allowed all farm operations to continue without interpretation.
Orthographic image
Digital Surface Model
Digital Terrain Model