Aerial survey is a method of collecting geomatics or other imagery by using airplanes, helicopters, UAVs, balloons or other aerial methods. Typical types of data collected include aerial photography, Lidar, remote sensing (using various visible and invisible bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as infrared, gamma, or ultraviolet) and also geophysical data (such as aeromagnetic surveys and gravity. It can also refer to the chart or map made by analysing a region from the air. Aerial survey should be distinguished from satellite imagery technologies because of its better resolution, quality and atmospheric conditions (which can negatively impact and obscure satellite observation). Today, aerial survey is sometimes recognized as a synonym for aerophotogrammetry, part of photogrammetry where the camera is placed in the air. Measurements on aerial images are provided by photogrammetric technologies and methods. 
Aerial Camera used during WWII for military purposes by the US Army against enemy's submarines
for use in aerial survey applications.
Aerial surveys can provide information on many things not visible from the ground.
Terms used in aerial survey Edit
exposure station or air station
the position of the
optical center of the camera at the moment of exposure. flying height
the elevation of the exposure station above the datum (usually mean
altitude the vertical distance of the aircraft above the
Earth's surface. tilt the angle between the aerial camera and the horizontal axis perpendicular to the
line of flight. tip
the angle between the aerial camera and the line of flight.
the point of intersection of the optical axis of the aerial camera with the
photographical plane. isocentre
the point on the aerial photograph in which the bisector of the angle of tilt meets the photograph.
nadir point the image of the nadir, i.e. the point on the aerial photograph where a
plumbline dropped from the front nodal point pierces the photograph. scale
ratio of the
focal length of the camera objective and the distance of the exposure station from the ground.
azimuth the clockwise horizontal angle measured about the ground
nadir point from the ground survey North meridian in the plane of photograph. orthomosaic
A high-resolution map created by orthophotos, usually via drones is termed as an orthomosaic. Ortho meaning a
nadir image and mosaic meaning a collection of images. Temporal Resolution
Time between observations. Uses Edit
Aerial surveys are used for:
Aerial view of the
, created by the non-profit initiative Wings for Science which offers aerial support to public research organisations.
Aerial surveys use a measuring camera where the elements of its interior orientation are known, but with much larger
focal length and film and specialized lenses.
Aerial survey sensors Edit
In order to carry out an aerial survey, a sensor needs to be fixed to the interior or the exterior of the airborne platform with line-of-sight to the target it is
remotely sensing. With manned aircraft, this is accomplished either through an aperture in the skin of the aircraft or mounted externally on a wing strut. With unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the sensor is typically mounted under or inside.
Aerial survey systems are typically operated with the following:
Flight navigation software, which directs the pilot to fly in the desired pattern for the survey.
GNSS, a combination of GPS and inertial measurement unit (IMU) to provide position and orientation information for the data recorded. Gyro-stabilized mount to counter the effects of aircraft roll, pitch and yaw.
Data storage unit to save the data that is recorded. Examples of aerial survey sensors Edit See also Edit References Edit
^ A. Sechin. Digital Photogrammetric Systems: Trends and Developments. GeoInformatics. #4, 2014, pp. 32-34.
"Wings for Science Fly Over Paranal". ESO Picture of the Week . Retrieved . 21 July 2013
^ "ULTRACAM EAGLE MARK 3
"Specifications & details" (PDF). Vexcel Imaging GmbH. p. 4 . Retrieved . 1 June 2021
^ "ULTRACAM OSPREY 4.1
"Specifications & details" (PDF). Vexcel Imaging GmbH. p. 3 . Retrieved . 1 June 2021
Michael Gruber; Marc Muick. "UltraCam Eagle Prime Aerial Sensor Calibration and Validation" (pdf). www.vexcel-imaging.com. Vexcel Imaging GmbH . Retrieved . 1 June 2021
"Leica ADS100 Airborne Digital Sensor". Leica Geosystems AG . Retrieved . 1 June 2021
"XCAM Ultra specifications". WaldoAir . Retrieved . 1 June 2021
"datasheet : LMS-Q780" (PDF). RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH. 2015-03-24 . Retrieved . 1 June 2021
"Trimble AX80 Airborne LIDAR Solution" (pdf). November 2014 . Retrieved . 1 June 2021 External links Edit
GIS and remote sensing for archeology
PBS Nova—The Sky's Eyes: Remote Sensing in Archaeology