Fixed Wing UAVs v Quadcopters for Aerial Surveys

By now, most of us know about the advantages of using UAVs for aerial surveys. They’re fast, cost-effective, and safe. But there are two primary types of drone platforms that are used by surveyors. If you’re thinking about completing an aerial survey, you first need to decide between a fixed-wing UAV or a quadcopter.

Larger Projects? The Fixed-Wing Platform is Best

Large fixed-wing UAVs, such as the Sensefly Ebee Plus, are designed to take off and land like a plane. They can fly anywhere from 30 to 60 MPH, which makes them extremely fast for a small aerial vehicle. Fixed-wing UAVs can also cover large areas on a single battery. Some of them can even be powered via gasoline. This allows them to collect more data, faster. As an additional bonus, fixed-wing UAVs need very few GCPs (ground control points) and can change sensors. A fixed-wing UAV is going to be fast to deploy, fast to use, and perfect for projects that need wide-scale aerial surveys on a tight deadline.

Dustin Price

But there are some downsides, too. A fixed-wing UAV requires enough takeoff and landing area — it can’t launch horizontally the way a quadcopter can. If there isn’t an area where a fixed-wing UAV can safely land, it’s possible to use parachutes or other configurations, but it is more complicated.

Further, while a UAV can capture overhead information very fast, it has a hard time capturing oblique images. And because it is less maneuverable, it’s less well-suited to tight spaces.

Need More Maneuverability? Look to the Quadcopter

Quadcopters are designed and used more like a helicopter. Quadcopters like the DJI Phantom 4 Pro, Landpoint’s primary quadcopter platform, provide greater levels of maneuverability in comparison to fixed-wing UAVs. They are ideal for smaller jobs, imagery-only jobs, and jobs that otherwise don’t cover a lot of land. Because they have a vertical launch and landing, there doesn’t need to be a lot of cleared space. They can hover around areas, taking exceptionally accurate data points. They can fly close to the ground and even under structures, such as under bridges. A quadcopter UAV is able to capture multiple angle photos at a high resolution.

Unfortunately, quadcopters do have lower battery life, they need a lot of ground control points for accuracy, and you can’t change the sensor. Quadcopters are also more likely to get thrown off by issues such as heavy winds.

Choosing Between Fixed-Wing and Quadcopter UAVs

There’s good news. Depending on the type of aerial survey you’re doing, the type of UAV you need to use is likely to be obvious.

• If you’re performing an aerial survey over large, open land, a fixed-wing solution is the best choice.
• If you’re performing an aerial survey over a smaller, more detailed area, a quadcopter is a better solution.

With a fixed-wing UAV, you gain speed. With a quadcopter, you gain precision.

Neither UAV solution is inherently better than the other, which is why most aerial surveying companies will provide either option. An aerial surveying company can review the territory that you’re interested in surveying to determine which option is fastest, most accurate, and most cost-effective for you.

Dustin Price is the Chief Operating Officer at Landpoint, an award-winning survey company.