How to Be Drone Surveyor - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 10, 2022 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

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The use of drone surveyors has increased significantly in recent years, leading to a number of positive effects on various industries. For example, in the construction sector, drones have enabled surveyors to view areas from above, creating a more comprehensive understanding of the area and enabling faster and more accurate surveying. This increased speed and accuracy has led to significant cost savings for construction companies, and less time consuming projects for planners, architects and engineers.

the use of drones has enabled surveyors to access otherwise difficult-to-reach areas such as those in remote or hazardous locations. This has enabled more detailed data to be collected with greater safety, reducing potential risks and increasing efficiency. In other sectors, such as agriculture, drones provide an effective way of assessing crop health, soil conditions and water levels.

This helps farmers to make better informed decisions when managing their land, leading to improved crop yields.

Steps How to Become

Acquire the Necessary Education. Drone surveyors typically need to have at least a high school diploma or GED. In addition, many employers prefer applicants to have a two- or four-year degree in surveying or a related field such as engineering, mathematics, or geography.
Get Certified. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires drone pilots to have a Remote Pilot Certificate. To get the certificate, you must be at least 16 years old, pass the FAA Airman Knowledge Test, and register your drone with the FAA.
Gain Experience. Employers prefer to hire drone surveyors who have experience operating drones and using survey equipment. You can gain experience by taking classes or workshops, volunteering, or job shadowing an experienced drone surveyor.
Obtain the Necessary Licenses. Depending on the state in which you live, you may need to obtain a license to operate a drone for commercial purposes. You may also need to obtain a license to use the survey equipment you will be using.
Stay Up to Date. Because technology is constantly changing, it is important that drone surveyors stay up to date with the latest technology and trends related to the industry. Taking courses, attending seminars, and reading trade publications are all ways to stay informed.

In order to remain qualified and up-to-date in the field of drone surveyor, it is important to stay on top of current developments and best practices. This means taking the time to invest in ongoing education and training, staying apprised of changes in legislation and regulations, familiarizing yourself with the latest advancements in drone technology, and staying current on industry trends. Doing so will help ensure that you are able to provide clients with the most accurate assessments and services possible, helping you to remain competitive and successful in this growing field.

You may want to check Drone Application Developer, Drone Project Manager, and Drone UAV Inspector for alternative.

Job Description

Plan and execute aerial surveys using drones.
Design and implement efficient data capture procedures.
Process and analyze drone survey data.
Create high-resolution maps and 3D models from data collected by drones.
Monitor weather conditions and airspace regulations to ensure safe drone operations.
Provide training and support to drone pilots and survey personnel.
Communicate with stakeholders to coordinate survey operations.
Troubleshoot technical issues with drones and survey equipment.
Evaluate drone footage and prepare reports.
Remain up-to-date on relevant regulations and industry best practices.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of aerial photography and drone operations.
Ability to operate drone technology such as a quadcopter or other unmanned aerial vehicle.
Familiarity with safety regulations related to drones and aerial photography.
An understanding of surveyor principles and techniques.
Knowledge of data collection and analysis.
Ability to interpret survey data and produce accurate maps.
Proficiency in geographic information systems (GIS) software.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with clients and other professionals.
A keen eye for detail and accuracy.
Problem solving and troubleshooting skills.

Having a good understanding of the principles of surveying is essential for any successful drone surveyor. This includes knowledge of mapping, GPS, and aerial photography. A drone surveyor must be able to accurately interpret data from a variety of sources, such as satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles).

They must also have a strong background in mathematics, spatial analysis, and data analysis. In addition, a drone surveyor needs to be well versed in software such as AutoCAD and other GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software. Having good communication skills is also important, so that they can effectively collaborate with clients and other stakeholders.

All of these skills together allow the surveyor to analyze and interpret survey data, produce accurate and insightful reports, and provide quality services to their clients.

Drone Engineer, Drone Sales Manager, and Drone Maintenance Technician are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with drone surveying?
How familiar are you with the regulations surrounding drone surveying?
What do you think is the most important safety consideration for drone surveyors?
What software do you use for drone surveying?
How do you ensure accurate data collection when surveying with drones?
What challenges have you faced when conducting drone surveys?
Describe a successful project you've completed using drone surveying.
In what ways have you used drones to enhance traditional surveying methods?
How do you keep up with new technologies and advancements related to drone surveying?
What sets your drone surveying capabilities apart from others?

Common Tools in Industry

Drone Mapping Software. A software used to map and analyze aerial data collected by drones. (eg: Pix4D)
Photogrammetry Software. A software used to measure distances and elevations from aerial images. (eg: DroneDeploy)
GIS Software. A software used to store, manipulate, analyze, manage and visualize spatial or geographic data. (eg: ArcGIS)
3D Modelling Software. A software used to create digital models of physical objects or environments. (eg: Autodesk 3ds Max)
Data Visualization Software. A software used to represent data in graphical form, such as charts and maps. (eg: Tableau)

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)
Small UAV Coalition
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association (UAVSA)
Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Europe (AUVSI-EU)
Commercial Drone Alliance
Association of Professional Drone Pilots (APDP)
International Society of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Professionals (ISUAVP)
Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
International Air Transport Association (IATA)
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

We also have Drone Pilot Instructor, Drone Regulatory Specialist, and Drone Programmer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Photogrammetry. The science of making measurements from photographs.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). An aircraft without a human pilot aboard, typically controlled remotely.
GIS. Geographic Information System, a system of hardware, software and data used to capture, store, analyze, manage and present geographical data.
LiDAR. A remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create digital topographical maps.
Orthophoto. A geometrically corrected aerial photograph that displays an image as it would appear on the ground.
Digital Elevation Model (DEM). A digital representation of terrain elevation, often produced from aerial surveys or satellite imagery.
Geographic Coordinate System (GCS). A system of latitude and longitude coordinates used to locate points on the Earth's surface.
Ground Control Point (GCP). A fixed physical location whose geographic coordinates are known and used as a reference point for mapping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Drone Surveyor?

Drone Surveyor is a cloud-based software platform that enables users to quickly and easily acquire aerial data through the use of drones. It provides tools to plan, monitor, and analyze drone missions, allowing users to capture accurate aerial insights in a safe and efficient manner.

How does Drone Surveyor work?

Drone Surveyor utilizes a combination of hardware, software and cloud services to enable users to plan, monitor and analyze drone missions. The platform first uses a ground control station to create a mission flight plan, which is then sent to the drone. The drone then autonomously executes the mission and streams the data back to the ground control station in real-time. The data is then transmitted to the cloud for post-processing and analysis.

What are the benefits of using Drone Surveyor?

Drone Surveyor provides users with a number of benefits, including increased safety, accuracy, efficiency, and cost savings. By utilizing autonomous drone missions, users can reduce risk exposure and increase accuracy of data collection. Additionally, the platform enables users to save time and money by automating routine survey tasks.

What features does Drone Surveyor offer?

Drone Surveyor offers a wide range of features designed to help users plan, monitor, and analyze drone missions. These features include mission planning tools, autonomous flight capabilities, 3D mapping, real-time monitoring, customizable reports, and a powerful analytics engine.

What types of industries is Drone Surveyor suitable for?

Drone Surveyor is suitable for a variety of industries, including agriculture, construction, mining, forestry, energy, utilities, engineering and surveying. The platform is designed to provide users with accurate aerial insights in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Web Resources

Drone Assisted Surveying - College of Agriculture, Food and ... cafes.calpoly.edu
Saildrone Surveyor | The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping www.jhc.unh.edu
Drone Application in Surveying and Beyond - News and Press www.thei.edu.hk