Aerial Survey
Whether you have a quarter-acre, or 1000 hectares, we can cover you from the air!
UAVs, or Drones, are rapidly changing the face of traditional surveys. Allowing us to access previously hard-to-reach places, most sites now have a solution for obtaining quality survey data in a timely fashion.
High-resolution cameras produce detailed site photography, which can be orthorectified - enabling integration with other property data – boundaries, easements etc. Photogrammetry software provides detailed site information, such as levels or point clouds, which let us measure volumes, create contours, and interrogate data quickly and easily.
A simple farm map, survey of paddock sizes, identification of ecological features, and so on can be easily produced by our team, just by having the farm flown with the drone. Lidar and thermal imaging can also be used, depending on your site requirements.
Drones have completely transformed the surveying world, while always capturing the best views! Whether you have a quarter-acre, or 1000 hectares, here’s why we love using UAVs:
Accessibility
Drones can easily reach areas that are unsafe or challenging (unstable terrains, large properties, or areas that you just can’t reach!)
Speed & Efficiency
Drones can easily cover large areas in a short amount of time, collecting data much faster than traditional methods.
High-Quality Data
Drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras allowing us to produce detailed aerial photography and point clouds.
Need help with your project?
Solutions we offer:
Farm mapping
Topographical survey/point cloud capture
Orthorectified aerial photography
Remote inspection survey
Site video
3D render and 3D model outputs
NZ Certified To Operate Drones
Here at Buckton, we have a CAA qualified and tested survey drone programme, with Part 101 and 102 certifications, allowing the freedom to conduct aerial survey drone operations normally restricted from the general public in a safe and effective way. We are one of a small number of companies in New Zealand certified to operate their drones beyond their usual restrictions. The certification -  Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operator - is needed if you want to operate an unmanned aircraft in any situation that would normally breach Part 101 of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Rules for drone use, such as flying at night or near an aerodrome.
Anyone flying a drone in New Zealand is bound to follow the rules of the CAA. If you have an accident, and you have breached these rules, there is a possibility that you could be fined or even prosecuted.
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To get the new certification, we had to complete further training and examinations to prove that we are able to identify, manage and mitigate any hazards associated with a number of high-risk drone activities. For us, one of the main benefits of using a drone is to limit the risk to our surveyors.
We can survey a dangerous area without needing to physically access it - for example a quarry. We take hundreds of survey accurate drone photos of a site, and then use specialised image processing software to generate a single orthophoto. We can take extremely accurate measurements from these final images - down to within 5cm. We can also generate 3d models of the photo area, to create a contour plan with 10-20cm height accuracy.
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Being allowed to fly at a higher altitude if required, also means we can survey a larger area much faster. What used to take more than a day to survey using conventional methods can now be flown in a couple of hours or less - which is something that our clients appreciate!
The ability to fly within the 4km radius of an aerodrome is important for us, as the airfields at Kaipara Flats, Omaha Flats and Wellsford trigger restrictions over properties we may want to survey. There are also more substantial airfields on the North Shore and in West Auckland, so being certified makes it much easier.
The public has also benefitted from the drone expertise at the our Bucktons office. We worked on a really interesting community event for the Kowhai Festival, where we were asked to look at historic aerial photos of Warkworth, and then use our drone to replicate all of the old photos so they could be compared to the same locations today. The pictures were included in a photo exhibition at the Festival, which was well-received by the locals. ​
Even flying something as small as a drone in daytime over public land - or your own property - has rules and regulations. Don't take off without doing your research!
DON'T
Fly your drone beyond 400FT above ground
DON'T
Fly in restricted areas, or without obtaining landowner permission
DON'T
Ignore safety procedures
DON'T
Fly in weather conditions beyond those recommended for your drone
DOS
Keep your drone within visual line of sight at all times
DOS
Obtain permission from people before flying over them, including public spaces
DOS
Check to find out what class of Airspace you are in 
DOS
Become familiar with Part 101 Rules for Drones
Aerial Photo Project
A picture tells a thousand words - An aerial image of the Watercare Wastewater in Warkworth.
Buckton Surveyors and Planners provide ongoing UAV support and image capture of Warkworth's Watercare Wastewater treatment facility. The imagery is very detailed making it great for marketing/publicity and tracking project progress.
Spatially accurate images mean they are to scale and can be used for measurement (cm accuracy). The photographic data can also produce a 3D model to create contours, compare against the finished design, or calculate volumes.
We have several UAVs to choose from and a handful of pilots that are keen to get out there!
