Aerial survey is a geomatics method of collecting information by utilising aerial photography or from remote sensing imagery using other bands of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as infrared, gamma, or ultraviolet. It can also refer to the chart or map made by analysing a region from the air. This is typically done using aeroplanes, helicopters, and in history with balloons. Aerial survey should be distinguished by satellite imagery technologies because of its better resolution, quality and atmospheric conditions. Today, aerial survey is often recognized as a synonym for aerophotogrammetry, part of photogrammetry where the camera is placed in the air. Measurements on aerial images are provided by photogrammetric technologies and methods.

Aerial surveys can provide information on many things not visible from the ground.

Aerial surveys are used for:

• Archaeology
• Fishery surveys
• Land survey
• Mining
• Monitoring wildlife and insect populations, called aerial census or sampling.
• Monitoring vegetation and ground cover
• Reconnaissance

Aerial survey uses a measuring camera where the elements of the interior orientation are known, but a camera that has much larger focal length and film and more lenses are used.

External links

• Farseek Map Studio: Mapping software for aerial surveys
• Grupairmed, Support aerial for companies
• Aerial survey of raptors in Swaziland
• GIS and remote sensing for archeology
• The Sky's Eyes: Remote Sensing in Archaeology
• www.AerialArchaeology.com Unmanned aerial reconnaissance tools for archaeologists, geologists, and geographers
• Aerial survey, mapping and disaster relief in Africa