AirGeoX - Airborne Geo Exploration

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Exploration activities are a significant and growing component of the Australian economy, AirGeoX, has targeted this industry utilising  our advanced UAV Helicopter and Hybrid Multicopter aeromagnetic survey and industry leading lightweight, high resolution magnetometer.  More

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Aeromagnetic Survey for Geological Structures Mapping

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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. More

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UAV Magnetic Survey in Exploration

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Our long range platform of choice is a UAV Helicopter (MTOW 17Kg), additionally for mid range operations, we use a heavy lift Hybrid Multicopter (MTOW 20Kg).  We provide Airborne Geophysical surveying (aeromagnetics) utilising our long endurance UAV heavy lift platform and cesium vapour magnetometer.

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AirGeoX tow the custom highly sensitive magnetometer by cable behind and underneath the helicopter and multicopter 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 inherently 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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Aeromagnetic Survey Technology Employed

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State of the art cesium vapour magnetometer: 

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• pT noise range fluxgate magnetometer 

• Custom built DAS

• Laser altimiter 

• IMU 

• L2 GPS 

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

Autonomous flight control equipment including: 

• 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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General Aerial Survey

AirGeoX also provide other photogrammetry services More