UAS Aviation Services  Australia

Aeromagnetic Survey for Geological Mapping

This specialised aeromagnetic survey type,  is used predominantly in the mineral exploration, petroleum exploration and groundwater exploration industries for mapping geological structures. It has also been utilized for archaeology and finding un-exploded ordinance on former battlefields and firing ranges.  Magnetic and gravity data is collected using a magnetometer which can then be mapped in a similar fashion to the more common photogrammetry.  This kind of magnetic data can also be incorporated as a GIS layer when combined with simultaneously captured RGB (visual) imagery

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UAV Magnetic Survey in Exploration

Our long endurance platform of choice is a UAV Helicopter (MTOW 17Kg).  For medium endurance requirements we can utilise our Hybrid Multicopter (MTOW20Kg). We provide Airborne Geophysical surveying (aeromagnetics) utilising our towed custom cesium vapour magnetometer.

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AirGeoX tow the custom highly sensitive magnetometer by cable behind and underneath the helicopter away from electromagnetic interference.  An autonomous terrain following mission profile flight, keeps the sensor to a fixed relative altitude above the terrain increasing accuracy

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Large area regional mapping, often sourced form government Geoscience agencies, are often a great way to start narrowing down potential exploration areas.  Potential exploration sites may be large or inaccessible to traditional ground truthing methods.

 

The choices for covering larger survey areas until recently have utilised manned fixed wing aircraft with a sensor mounted on a stinger or a more expensive option is manned helicopters towing the sensor on a cable. Both of these options have advantages and disadvantages. The difference between manned aircraft surveying and UAV surveying, relates to sensitivity of the sensor particularly at altitude. Generally speaking the closer the sensor is to the ground, the more detailed and accurate the resulting magnetic map is. An autonomous flight will often also yield  a more consistent track for the survey transverse and ability for "terrain hugging" flight paths keeping the sensor at a more constant height above ground. Additionally, safety is an issue since flying at low altitudes is inherrantly more dangerous for manned aircraft.

 

UAV surveying is not a complete replacement for manned aircraft surveying, however, there are use cases that certainly make the survey more accurate and cost effective, especially with the heavy lift long range Helicopter UAV type that AirGeoX employ in magnetic surveys.  The magnetometer that  AirGeoX use, is a highly sensitive custom build that typically yields manned aircraft grade magnetometer quality, yet increased resolution as it can be flown at much lower levels via the UAV Helicopter.

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AiGeoX continues to develop new methodologies for data capture with our various UAV platforms including VTOL fixed wings and traditional fixed wing UAVs with long duration flight. Having a variety of platforms will allow us to "right size" the platform for your particular survey requirement, with potential for cost savings in final service delivery outputs.

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Aeromagnetic Survey Technology Employed

​State of the art cesium vapour magnetometer: 

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• pT noise range fluxgate magnetometer 

• Custom built DAS

• Laser altimiter 

• IMU 

• L2 GPS 

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All housed within a CAD-designed "bird", towed 30m away from the electromagnetic noise of the UAV helicopter. 

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Autonomous flight control equipment including: 

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• Autopilot with EKF running 400Hz loops 

• RTK GPS 

• Laser altimeter to ensure as accurate drape and deviation from line as possible 

 

You will receive the highest definition data set possible, shown by our standard 3VD TMI RTP deliverable. 

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Image data delivery

We offer a variety of data delivery options ranging from raw imagery through to GIS classified orthomosaic files including relevant meta-data in standardised geospatial tiles as required. AirGeoX will manage the overall client data delivery so you will only need to deal with one supplier.

 

Imagery data can be delivered in a number of ways depending on the complexity and size of files generated. For example a standard HD image is about 6Mb and an orthomosaic file can be as little as 40Mb to many, many Gigabytes. In some instances a direct file transfer or USB stick would be sufficient, other times we will factor in delivery on a portable HDD. In due course we will offer clients a dedicated log-in and file server via our website to assist in your data management.