Surveying and mapping play a central role in many strategic sectors, including constructionland development, mining miningenvironmental environmental management and public infrastructure development. With the rapid evolution of technology, traditional methods are tending to be replaced by more modern solutions, combining speed, precision and safety. Among these, the use of drones has become an essential reference in Canada.
Capable of capturing high-resolution geospatial data from the air, drones are redefining standards in topographic surveying and cartographic production. Not only can they cover large areas in an optimized timeframe, but they can also access complex or dangerous zones, while generating usable results with great efficiency.
This comprehensive guide is designed to help you discover how drone surveying and mapping works, the technologies involved, the deliverables generated and the regulatory frameworks applicable in Canada. Whether you’re an industry professional, a technician or simply interested in geospatial innovations, you’ll find the essential elements to understand and fully integrate this rapidly expanding technology.
Can drones be used for surveying?
In practical terms, drones are used to carry out aerial topographic surveys by flying over pre-defined areas. Equipped with high-resolution cameras, LiDAR sensors or RTK/PPK positioning systems, they capture geolocalized data, which is then processed using specialized software. This processing produces precise deliverables such as orthomosaics, digital terrain models (DTMs), digital surface models (DSMs), 3D point clouds and volumetric measurements.
This method is particularly useful fordevelopment and construction projects, land demarcation and monitoring land evolution. Drones also offer the advantage of being able to access difficult or dangerous areas, while limiting the time spent in the field.
What prerequisites do you need to fly a drone in Canada?
In Canada, the use of drones is governed by strict regulations set out by Transport Canadato ensure the safety of the public and airspace in general. Whether you’re a recreational or professional pilot, certain legal requirements must be met before you can fly a drone. These requirements vary according to the weight of the aircraft and the environment in which you operate. Here’s an overview of the main prerequisites for flying a drone legally in Canada.
Two mandatory certifications for drone pilots
If your drone weighs between 250 g and 25 kg, you must obtain a drone pilot certificate issued by Transport Canada. There are two types of certification, depending on the level of complexity of your operations:
- Drone pilot certificate – basic operations
This certificate is required for flights in uncontrolled areas, away from people and buildings. It is suitable for pilots carrying out simple missions in low-risk environments. An online exam is required to obtain it, and it is open to anyone aged 14 or over. - Drone pilot certificate – advanced operations
This certificate is designed for pilots wishing to operate in controlled airspace, close to people or sensitive infrastructures. It requires the successful completion of a more in-depth theoretical exam, as well as a practical exam with a Transport Canada-accredited examiner. This level of certification allows greater operational flexibility, but requires a better understanding of air navigation rules and safety procedures.
It’s important to choose the right certification for your type of operation, as it determines the zones in which you are authorized to fly, and the conditions you must meet.
Drone registration: a mandatory step
In addition to being certified, any drone weighing between 250 g and 25 kg must be registered with Transport Canada before use. The registration process is fast and online. Once registered, the drone receives a unique registration number, which must be visibly affixed to the aircraft.
This step is essential to enable identification of the drone in the event of an incident or inspection, and to ensure traceability of operations. Failure to register a drone when in use constitutes an offence which may result in administrative or criminal penalties.
Use NAV Drone to plan your flights
To operate a drone safely and correctly, we strongly recommend using the official NAV CANADA application: NAV Drone. This platform enables you to plan your flights, consult the airspace in real time,obtain flight authorizations in controlled areas and view NOTAMs (notices to airmen).
NAV Drone is an indispensable tool, especially for pilots in forward operations, as it facilitates coordination with air navigation authorities. To find out more about how it works and its functionalities, we invite you to read our dedicated blog post: NAV Drone User Guide: Your flight assistant for flying legally in Canada.
Which drone is best suited to surveying and mapping?
To optimize your operations, it’s essential to identify the technical features and embedded technologies that are most relevant to your working environment, the type of deliverables expected and the level of precision required.
In this section, we provide an overview of the main options available, highlighting their respective strengths. Our aim is to provide you with the information you need to make an informed choice, perfectly aligned with your professional objectives in surveying, mapping or land modeling.
DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise
The DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise is a lightweight, foldable and quick-to-deploy drone, ideal for mapping, inspection and surveying missions over small to medium-sized areas. Its ease of use, combined with long autonomy and sensor precision, make it an effective solution for professionals seeking an excellent compromise between mobility, precision and speed of execution. Equipped with a 20 MP sensor with mechanical shutter, it produces high quality orthomosaics while limiting distortion. The addition of the RTK module (optional) enables you to work with centimetric precision, without the need for ground control points (GCP), depending on the workflow adopted.
Main features :
- 20 MP 4/3 CMOS sensor with mechanical shutter
- Centimeter accuracy possible with RTK module
- Flying time up to 45 minutes
- Transmission range up to 15 km (OcuSync 3.0)
- Intuitive DJI Pilot 2 interface for mission planning
- Compatible with DJI Terra for photogrammetric processing
DJI Matrice 350 RTK
The DJI Matrice 350 RTK is a latest-generation industrial drone, designed for complex, large-scale operations such as topographic surveying, structural inspection and LiDAR missions. It offers a high degree of modularity, enabling the integration of various sensors such as the Zenmuse P1 photogrammetric camera or the Zenmuse L2 LiDAR sensor. With IP55 protection and an integrated RTK positioning system, it guarantees precise, reliable data, even in harsh environments. Its system redundancy (IMU, barometer, GNSS) ensures enhanced security for critical operations.
Main features :
- Compatible with several DJI sensors (LiDAR, P1, H20, etc.)
- Integrated RTK system for centimetric accuracy
- Up to 55 minutes flight autonomy (depending on payload)
- IP55 protection against rain and dust
- OcuSync Enterprise 3.0 transmission system (up to 20 km)
- DJI RC Plus smart controller with 7-inch display
WingtraOne GEN II
The WingtraOne GEN II is a professional VTOL fixed-wing drone specially designed for high-precision topographic surveys over large areas. It combines the performance of a fixed-wing drone with the ease of use of a multirotor. Thanks to its ability to fly longer at higher altitudes, it can cover hundreds of hectares in a single flight, while maintaining centimeter-level accuracy with integrated PPK technology. It’s the ideal tool for large-scale mapping work, even in rugged or difficult-to-access environments.
Main features :
- VTOL technology: vertical take-off and landing in confined spaces
- Compatible sensors: Sony RX1R II (42 MP), A6100, RedEdge-MX, etc.
- Centimeter accuracy with integrated PPK module
- Flight time up to 59 minutes
- Area covered per flight: up to 400 hectares at 120 m AGL
- Wind resistance up to 12.5 m/s in cruising flight
Which sensor to use for surveying missions?
DJI Zenmuse L2
The DJI Zenmuse L2 is a new-generation LiDAR sensor designed for the DJI Matrice 350 RTK and DJI Matrice 300 RTK platforms. It offers a complete, integrated solution for high-precision topographic surveys, combining a LiDAR module, a high-performance IMU and a 20 MP RGB 4/3 sensor. This sensor delivers dense, detailed point clouds, even under the canopy, making the L2 particularly well-suited to missions in forestry, civil engineering, the environment or land management. Thanks to its native integration in the DJI ecosystem, it ensures high operational reliability, with a simplified workflow from flight to data delivery.
Main features :
- Dot density: up to 240,000 dots per second
- LiDAR detection range: up to 450 metres (80% reflectivity)
- Vertical accuracy: ±4 cm; horizontal accuracy: ±5 cm
- Integrated RGB sensor: 20 MP 4/3 CMOS with mechanical shutter
- High-performance IMU for improved georeferencing accuracy
- Integration with DJI Terra for LiDAR data processing
Micasense RedEdge-P
The Micasense RedEdge-P is a professional multispectral sensor designed for applications in precision agriculture, the environment, forestry and scientific research, while also being used in certain thematic mapping projects. It combines five classic spectral bands (blue, green, red, red edge and near infrared) with a high-resolution RGB camera. This dual sensor allows multispectral and visual data to be captured simultaneously, facilitating the creation of vegetation maps and NDVI indices, as well as the analysis of crop health and land use.
The RedEdge-P is renowned for its robustness, its compatibility with a wide range of professional UAVs (including the WingtraOne GEN II) and its ability to produce calibrated images ready for scientific or agronomic processing.
Main features :
- 5-band multispectral sensor + 26 MP RGB camera
- Ground resolution (GSD): up to 2.5 cm at 60 m altitude
- Perfect synchronization between spectral bands
- Global shutter for distortion-free capture
- Compatible with VTOL and multi-rotor platforms
- Seamless integration with Pix4D software
Can drones provide accurate data?
Yes, modern drones are capable of providing highly accurate geospatial data, provided they are equipped with appropriate sensors and advanced positioning technologies.
To achieve centimetric accuracy, professionals rely on technologies such as RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) and PPK (Post-Processed Kinematic). These systems enable GPS positioning errors to be corrected in real time (RTK) or after flight (PPK), and are now widely used in projects requiring rigorous geometric accuracy.
Data quality also depends on the type of on-board sensor (photogrammetric camera, LiDAR, multispectral sensor) and post-flight processing using specialized software.
To find out more about the differences between RTK and PPK, their advantages and areas of application, we invite you to read our dedicated blog post which explores both technologies in detail. You’ll find all the information you need to choose the solution best suited to your business needs.
What techniques are used with drones to produce survey deliverables?
The integration of drones into surveying practices relies on advanced data capture and processing methods, enabling the generation of high value-added geospatial deliverables. Thanks to planned flights, the use of high-performance sensors (photogrammetric, LiDAR, RTK/PPK) and specialized software, professionals can produce a variety of deliverables tailored to the precision and analysis requirements of the surveying field. Here are the main products resulting from these techniques.
Digital terrain models (DTMs)
The Digital Terrain Model is a 3D representation of the natural relief, without artificial elements such as buildings or vegetation. It is used for drainage analyses, earthworks, hydraulic modeling and infrastructure project planning. DTMs are often generated from LiDAR or photogrammetric data, after removing any extraneous points.
Digital surface models (DSM)
Unlike the DTM, the Digital Surface Model includes all elements present on the ground surface: buildings, trees, equipment, etc. This deliverable is particularly useful for urban studies, shading calculations, modeling built-up areas or visual impact simulations. This deliverable is particularly useful for urban studies, shading calculations, modeling built-up areas or visual impact simulations. It is generally produced from high-density photogrammetric or LiDAR data.
3D point clouds
The 3D point cloud is a set of georeferenced points representing the surface of a terrain or object. It can be generated by photogrammetry or via a LiDAR sensor, and enables faithful reconstruction of relief, structures or volumes. Used as the basis for DTMs, DSMs or digital models, the point cloud is a raw deliverable, but one of exceptional geometric richness.
Volumetric measurements
Volumetric measurements enable precise assessment of the volumes of materials moved or stored, such as in quarries, construction sites or excavation areas. Thanks to drone-generated 3D models, professionals can compare different phases of fieldwork (before/after) and obtain volume calculations with a minimum margin of error, essential for invoicing or project follow-up.
Orthomosaic maps
Orthomosaics are assembled and geometrically corrected aerial images, providing a faithful representation of the terrain. They can be used as precise backgrounds for topographic surveys, cadastral studies, surface inspections or visual site documentation. Obtained from images captured by drone, they can be enhanced with GNSS and RTK/PPK data to ensure accuracy.
By combining these techniques, drones can produce reliable, reproducible deliverables adapted to industry standards. These data can be used in software, 3D modeling platforms or geospatial analysis tools, facilitating decision-making and planning for complex projects.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Can a drone fly over my house?
In Canada, a drone can’t fly over private property without authorization if it’s an invasion of privacy or a threat to personal safety. However, there is no law that formally prohibits flying over a house, as long as the pilot complies with Transport Canada regulations, including minimum safety distances, respect for privacy and safe flight rules. Any misuse can be reported to the appropriate authorities.
How high can a drone go?
According to Transport Canada regulations, a drone may not fly higher than 122 meters (400 feet) above ground level, unless special authorization has been obtained. This limit is designed to avoid conflicts with manned aircraft, which generally operate above this height.
What are the traditional surveying instruments?
Before the arrival of drones, surveying relied mainly on total stations, optical levels, tacheometers and GNSS receivers (precision GPS). These tools are still used today, often as a complement to aerial solutions, particularly for ground control points (GCP) and on-site precision checks.
What is the maximum flight distance for a drone in Canada?
In Canada, drones must be operated under pilot line-of-sight (PLOS). This means that the flight distance is not defined by a number of meters, but by the pilot’s ability to see his drone clearly with the naked eye, without the aid of optical devices. To fly beyond line-of-sight (BVLOS), special authorization from Transport Canada is required, along with additional safety measures.
What is VLOS?
VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) means “visual flight”. This is a regulatory framework in which the pilot must keep his drone in line of sight throughout the mission. This allows better reactivity in case of emergency, and reduces the risk of collision or loss of control.
What is BVLOS?
BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) refers to operations beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight. This type of flight requires specific authorization from Transport Canada, as it involves increased risks and requires the use of advanced technologies (detection and avoidance systems, real-time surveillance, redundant communications). BVLOS flights are mainly used in specialized sectors such as infrastructure inspection, network surveillance or drone delivery.