What Equipment is Right for You?

When is a drone, kite, or stick (and other creative methods) appropriate.

Kite/Balloon

Can be used when drone flight would disturb sensitive sites or environments. Easy-to-use.

Requirements

No Special certification needed.

Permission from communities and property holders

Limitations

Limited Area; mild-weather only; easily damaged; difficult to control.

Stick/Rope

Good for achieving overhead images in environments that would be hazardous for other aerial methods.

Requirements

No Special certification needed.

Permission from communities and property holders

Limitations

Time consuming; altitude is limited; requires walkability of terrain or attachment points.

Beginner Drone

High-Resolution images and video images can be stiched to create site models; flexibility in smaller survey sites; budget-friendly and ready-to-use.

Requirements

TRUST certification for recreational use; or Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Certification for Commercial Use.

Permission from communities and property holders.

Limitations

May disturb sensitive sites and environments. Limited function without cell service; no ability to enter flight plan, transects are manually flown; shorter flight time; may not be able to handle additional imaging/rtk equipment onboard; shorter flight times in cold weather.

Professional Drone

Highest-resolution imaging and multi-spectral capability; longer flight time; auto-pilot with onboard flight planning; integrates location with image processing software.

Requirements

TRUST certification for recreational use; or Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Certification for Commercial Use.

Permission from communities and property holders.

Limitations

May disturb sensitive sites and environments. High cost; harder to transport; requires knowledge of onboard flight software and higher budget; shorter flight times in colder weather.

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