Environmental scan on the operational use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) for geomatics applications in Canada

Remotely-piloted Aircraft Systems, or drones, have emerged as an excellent tool to monitor small sites of interest. They play an increasingly important role within organizations by providing a less costly, higher detailed, and more flexible method to collect information compared to conventional methods. This report helps organizations determine whether drones are a suitable alternative and how to implement drones within their operations. The report provides an overview of proven applications and highlights the ready-to-fly equipment that is currently available in North America.

Organizations must address regulations concerning aviation, privacy, intellectual property, trespassing, and the transportation of dangerous goods. Best practices are summarized in terms of how to design a stand-alone project or implement an operational program, and techniques used to obtain, process, and manage 2D, 3D, and video datasets. Risk management strategies are formulated. Emerging opportunities, recommendations, and knowledge gaps are highlighted to advance the use of drones in Canada