Expert Drone Advice
Finance Available
Free UK Shipping
Coastal Surveying and Environmental Monitoring with Drones

Enhancing Coastal Surveying and Environmental Monitoring with Drones

07Jun2023

A Q&A with Coastal Partners – A Coastal Surveying firm

Coastal Partners, an organisation focused on coastal surveying and asset management, successfully implemented drone technology into their working practices. By harnessing the power of drones, they significantly improved their ability to monitor coastal erosion and project progress, resulting in enhanced efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.

How did they do it? We take a deep dive in this Q&A to reveal all. 

Why did you start using drones for coastal surveying?

As an organisation that undertakes a substantial amount of topographic surveying and asset management along the coast, we are always looking for more efficient ways of working. In 2018, we decided to make the jump and purchase a DJI Inspire 2 and AgEagle eBee X which allowed us to fuse traditional survey methods with Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) technology to help us obtain accurate and efficient data collection for large areas of our coastline. We use drones as part of our Coastal Management projects and to better understand coastal processes across our varied coastline.

Within our Major Projects team, we manage multi-million-pound construction schemes where we undertake project and contract management as well as site supervision of all works. We traditionally relied on the use of mobile phone photos for our records, which was data heavy and difficult to identify parts of the site they were taken from. We started flying the Inspire 2 in 2018, and aside from the obvious benefits provided, such as amazing aerial imagery, the RPAS have allowed us to undertake mapping missions, creating 3D models that can be used to obtain key levels in areas of the site we’d not ordinarily be able to reach. The outputs can be shared with stakeholders and have proven a real benefit in engagement events.

How do you use drones to monitor coastal erosion?

We’ve begun using drones as part of the Regional Coastal Monitoring Programme, a national scheme that involves measuring the height and material across coastal frontages. The horizontal mapping functions of the drones are essential in our effort to monitor coastal erosion as these provide RTK-positioned aerial photographs which can be used to generate a variety of outputs, from DSMs and DTMs, to 3D point cloud models. From these, we can directly compare levels of material on the coastal frontages, as well as draw cross sections at particular points of interest. The drones assist us in understanding short and long-term trends of coastal processes and the natural evolution of the coastline.

Prior to the implementation of RPAS, beach recycling crest elevation data for pre and post-work surveys were walked on foot. RPAS have reduced the time to collect data, lowering costs. These are then processed in PIX4D before using additional software (ArcGIS Pro) to generate DTMs. Pre and post-works DTMs are compared to analyse changes in beach volumes along the frontage which are then divided into groyne bays for the contractors to use as a guide during the beach recycling works, replenishing the beach to its ‘Design Profile’ to protect coastal homes and businesses from storm events.

We’ve been making use of our newly purchased DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise RTK drone on the North Portsea Island Coastal Defence Scheme. We constructed a roost island to encourage birds to nest throughout the year. As the structure has been built on soft foreshore material, using the Mavic has allowed us to monitor the construction safely without the need to walk close to a moving plant or walk across the mudflat. 

coastal surveying with drones

How has the use of drones improved your ability to monitor coastal erosion and project progress compared to traditional methods?

Drones are a far more efficient and effective method of surveying. They allow large areas to be surveyed quickly and at an accurate level of detail, particularly when paired with GCPs or Check Points. When compared to previous data collected by hand, the data matches up well in terms of accuracy, but means there is less time spent on site and the data collected can be processed quickly and passed on to our research team for analysis.

Aerial surveys are undertaken for Regional Monitoring and high-frequency long-period monitoring of beach erosion hotspots where defence works have or will be undertaken which has the likelihood of impacting the shoreline position. Using the AgEagle eBee (fitted with the Aeria X camera), constant aerial surveys of the beach can be performed to produce cloud point orthomosaics and DTMs. These are used to rapidly plot changes in shoreline volumes and position.

Using repetitive flight data captured by the AgEagle eBee, DTMs are compared to generate ‘elevation difference plots’ showing changes in beach elevation from one survey to another. The use of UAVs has significantly reduced the time on site and staff involvement, cutting costs and increasing efficiency. The benefits of this are being felt across the Coastal Partners Research and Geomatics Teams, allowing for an increase in the frequency of surveys.

How did Drone Pilot Academy assist you?

We’ve recently undertaken the GVC and GVC conversion courses at our offices in Havant. These courses were delivered with a good mix of theory and practical, allowing our pilots to plan missions to the CAA requirements. Drone Pilot Academy (DPA) also delivered a RPAS surveying course at our active construction site in Southsea. We were taught Pix4DMapper and how to create accurate surveys using GCPs and RTK drones.

We recently purchased two DJI Mavic 3 Enterprises with built-in RTK, as well as a DJI Mini 3 Pro from DPA to allow us to fly at lower altitudes. In terms of software, we bought Pix4D Matic and Cloud Advanced, allowing us to produce outstanding orthomosaics and 3D models

How has the training you received from Drone Pilot Academy helped you in your work with drones for coastal surveying?

The training provided covered a huge variety of topics, including meteorology, Civil Aviation law, flight restriction zones, safe practice of using drones, and environmental restrictions.

It’s helped us to understand what to look for on our drones to ensure that they are in good functioning condition, as well as knowing what permissions we should seek when surveying in certain areas. Knowing how to set up horizontal mapping functions using drones has been a major tool for us at Coastal Partners to obtain accurate data on our coastline for monitoring and research purposes, as well as on our construction sites.

How has the on-site drone survey training you received impacted your operations?

The on-site drone survey training was very comprehensive. Having a checklist with everything we need to look out for pre, during and post-flight has been a big help to us at Coastal Partners to ensure that the drones are in good condition for flying. Being hands-on during the flight practice with DPA’s trainer was another big help for the team as some hadn’t had any experience using drones before, so having an experienced drone operator gave the team the confidence they needed to feel comfortable with flying in the future for commercial purposes.

How do you process the data collected from your drone surveys?

We process drone data using Pix4D Mapper and Matic. The survey course delivered by DPA explained processing for drone surveys with Pix4D and gave everyone a comprehensive understanding of how to get the most optimal outputs depending on the surveys undertaken and what drones were used. For the more experienced members of the team, it was helpful in that it reinforced knowledge, and for newer members of the team, it explained everything that you need to know to process surveys optimally.

What advice would you give to other companies or organisations looking to use drones for coastal surveying?

Drones have transformed how we undertake our work, both in terms of surveys and supervision of construction works. The process is quicker, safer and provides a far greater level of detail and data than traditional methods. This has led to outstanding deliverables and reduced costs, so we would highly recommend exploring how drones could improve your business.

What do you see as the future of using drones for environmental monitoring and coastal surveying?

An increased take up on the use of drones for coastal surveying and site works, due to the decreased personal risk, efficiency in collecting and processing data, and the aerial photography obtained. Drones are also particularly useful for surveying difficult-to-reach areas, or areas which may pose potential issues to health and safety in terms of access and tidal conditions.

In Conclusion

Coastal Partners’ successful implementation of drones in coastal surveying and environmental monitoring demonstrates the immense value and potential of this technology. They have leveraged training, equipment, and software services to revolutionise their operations and achieve exceptional results. 

Looking for advice?

Please feel free to contact our team.

Drone Training

Learn how to fly from the best: all of our trainers are ex-military aviators with a wealth of experience in training and instruction.

  • CAA GVC Courses
  • A2 Certificate of Competence Courses
  • PfCO to GVC Conversion Courses
  • See all our courses

“I have had a great experience with Drone Pilot Academy. Jim's knowledge and delivery of the course was great and the continuous support from Jim and the team has been a massive help to me. I would highly recommend using Drone Pilot Academy.”

“Drone Pilot Academy did a fantastic job in helping me pass my ACofC and GVC exam and receive my CAA certification. The course was excellent and I really enjoyed every part of it. It was well organised and executed professionally and I was able to take so much away from the course that will significantly help my commercial operations. Thank you again! Highly recommend!”

“For those of us who learn best visually and in a classroom environment, the course provided Chris from DPA is awesome. Having so much information condensed into 3 days is made easier through the format in the course, with Chris's experience and insights. Would highly recommend anyone looking to get into UAVs, RPAS commercially to attend a course like this vs taking it online.”

“I Booked on to the Combined A2 CoC and GVC course provided by Drone Pilot Academy. I was very satisfied with the quality of the instruction and service. the course took place over 3 days and all requirements were catered for within the course fees. The teaching and Practical flying was covered within the time of the three day course and although this was intensive, it was made enjoyable by the first rate facilities and accommodation on site. on the final day we were able to sit the two exams required and flight assessments. flight assessments are of course weather dependent but the controllable factors were delt with very well. After concluding the teaching and assessment, there are log books operations manual and risk assessments to submit. These had to be done after the course was delivered. the correspondence with the the instructor and training coordinator was fast and professional and they provide all the material they can to get you/your company CAA certified. Overall i was very satisfied with the company and the staff. If I require further professional UAV instruction I would likely use this company.”

“Might be able to fly a drone but can't drive! Cutting up a 44t Truck cos you can't plan in advance to exit. Absolute idiot! People like you cause accidents!”

“Richie and Chris delivered the course with expertise and professionalism. They covered a lot of ground in the three days, and the pre-prepared documents and assistance with the Ops Manual were invaluable.”

“Fantastic Company. Since completing my GVC course with Drone Pilot Academy I've been able to maintain great communication with the course instructor who has been really helpful where we fall short of the knowledge. Would really recommend Drone pilot academy to any one who's looking to get into the industry.”

“I took a GVC course earlier this month. Really knowledgeable, helpful and experienced team. Information for tests is presented in a really efficient way. It was fun to be there. Thank you, Chris”

“I did the A2 COC and GVC corse. Absolutely fantastic experience, our tutors Billy and Richard, were both first class instructors extremely knowledgeable and made you feel at ease giving me what ever support i required, even if that ment repeating and going over the parts of the subject I was not grasping. From my experience I would recommend Drone Pilot Academy to any one, they are just what the industry needs, they are always there for help and support what ever your problem. Once again a big thank you to Billy, Richard and the team.”

“If you're looking to up skill with theory and practical knowledge with Drones, then Drone Pilot Academy are the guys. James, Chris and Bill are knowledgeable, friendly and teach at a pace which suits all.”

“Having just completed the A2 and GVC 3 day course in a very sunny Motherwell. I would have no hesitation at all in recommending this very well structured and taught course. There is a lot to learn in a short space of time but thanks to the patients and clear teaching style of our instructor Jim Ixer I not only passed but have confidence that I can fly my drone safely and to follow all the regulations!”

“Purchased DJI mini 4 pro and signed up for intro flying course from this company. During the course, Jim set up all aspects of the drone for me, explained the operations, rules, regulations and functions of the drone before the flying lesson. Fantastic service, really knowledgeable, friendly and helpful staff. The location for the course was fantastic too. I would recommend Drone pilot academy to everyone either new starters or experienced. Would have given more than 5 stars if possible. Can’t thank Jim and his team enough.”

“Excellent experience with DPA at Milton Keynes earlier this year. The instructors (Chris) and examiners (James) were both excellent, supportive and clear communicators. The venue at Cranfield was great and the post course support to get the Operational Authority issued with the CAA has been beyond what I was expecting. I really felt like the DPA team was there to help me get all requirements satisfied and 3 months on I am feeling confident that I can go and set up a job to get some filming done. Highly recommend and hopefully will be sending some colleagues soon.”

“As someone with no previous drone experience this course (A2COC and GVC) was very welcoming and interesting throughout. Our groups instructor, Chris, taught the material thoroughly so it was fun and easy to learn for everyone. I would recommend this company to anyone who is interested in drones out there.”

“Fantastic course with very experienced instructors. Highly recommended.”

“Very good experience with the Drone Pilot Academy. As someone who had never operated a drone before, I was a bit apprehensive about piloting. However, the quality and experience of the instructors, especially Chris, were crucial in teaching the basics of flying a drone safely, which greatly boosted my confidence. The entire course was well organized and of high quality, showing great attention to the students. Jim and the team deserve congratulations for this.”

“Chris Wright the Head of Training is extremely knowledgeable and fluid in his teaching. He has the answer to every possible question and helped everyone pass the exams first time. Highly recommend.”

“Very easy comms with Jim to organise the DJI mini 4 drone training. He sent through a lot of info about what IDs and Apps are needed or recommended. Great place for the training, we had a great time and are much better prepared and confident as a result. No showing off with the drones, just a straightforward professional person. 5/5 👍”

“Myself and two colleagues attended the 3 day GVC training course to obtain our GVCs in 2023. All accommodation, food etc. was all included in the price which made for a very enjoyable experience. Chris and Richie are very knowledgeable, helpful and approachable. There were full days of teaching the required theory and practical flights, however on the last day we had adverse weather so couldn't complete the FA. A year went by and we still hadn't due to various work commitments etc.. but they were very understanding and accommodating of us and over a year later were happy to support, meet and ultimately guide us through in obtaining our GVCs. I can't rate these guys highly enough and would not hesitate in recommending them for any drone training you would want to undertake.”

“Highly Recommend! Top-Notch Training! I recently completed the residential A2CofC and GVC course with Drone Pilot Academy, and I can't recommend them enough! Pros: Immersive Learning: The residential format provided a focused learning environment, allowing me to fully grasp the course material. Expert Instruction: Chris our instructor was ex-RAF with a wealth of knowledge. His revision exercises in the classroom were invaluable for exam preparation. Convenient Exams: Taking both exams in the classroom after the course was a huge plus. It eliminated any time lag and was good to crack on an get the exams completed. Flight Assessment: There was plenty of time included for practical flight training and practice. I had my FA on the same day of the exams but there is no pressure to do that, it was convenient for me and I had enough flying hours to progress. Streamlined Process: Drone Pilot Academy took care of everything, making the entire experience smooth and hassle-free. Overall: This residential course was the perfect choice for me. It offered intensive training, expert guidance, and a convenient exam process. If you're looking to get your A2CofC and GVC in a supportive and immersive environment, Drone Pilot Academy is the way to go!”

“Thoroughly enjoyed the course, very professional, the instructor’s knowledge in this industry is second to none. Highly recommend”

“I found this course disappointing. Despite being in a group with six others from a different company, I received less flight time compared to them. The course structure felt disorganised, and the instructor appeared frustrated as I struggled to grasp the material.”

“From taking on their courses and their additional advice and support given in regards to setting up afterwards has all been very thorough and helpful. Such a great and professional team to know as they never fail in steering you in the right direction with whatever it may be you seek within the drone industry!”

“Totally recommend! Thanks Chris. Very patient and takes time to explain ! ( yes Totally recommend for that matter, I have already sent a friend of mine your way. He will contact you soon.)”

“From Mike Ghent. A joy to be trained by professionals. With a real passion for the subject matter and the skills to impart knowledge and confidence. A great training experience with continuous assistance and support through the course, assessment, and beyond. Many thanks”

“I need a GVC qualification to work on the UK's Polar research vessel in the Antarctic and Arctic. I was a little nervous about the subject matter of the course and my capacity to learn all of the info in just 3 days but Chris at DPA was simply excellent with his course plan and delivery/time management. It was a thoroughly enjoyable course and I would recommend, 10/10 training provider. Additionally if you are staying at the hotel the food/lunch is excellent.”

“Great instructors making a lot of hard info go in. Excellent company.”

“I deliberately chose a face-to-face training course for my GVC; for me there is massive value in having the ability to ask the tutor questions as they arise, and DPA organise things so that you can continue in the bar after the teaching has closed for the day. Hard work for an old man who has forgotten how to concentrate in a classroom, but ultimately successful. Chris Wright is very knowledgeable and experienced, a good teacher most generous with his time . Highly recommended.”

“I wanted to expand my understanding of Drone operations, so I booked a GVC with the Drone Pilot Academy. An excellent three day course, delivered with great instruction (patient and very knowledgeable) at a great venue. Course material was very good and post course support was excellent. If you are considering doing some Drone training then this is place I would recommend.”

“Excellent training and still giving me support and advice over a year after my course, including reviewing Op Manuals . I strongly recommend them!”

“I am really happy with the course and the instructors on the course, learned a lot, and have helped me achieve what I need to go further. Greatly appreciated.”

“Wanted to try a bit of a taster session flying drones and seeing the art of the possible. Jim was excellent, and provided lots of knowledge and guidance, completely made me feel comfortable with my first drone flight. Would highly recommend!”

“It has been a pleasure working with Drone Pilot Academy from the very first day. HVAC Communications was looking to introduce drones into the business and Jim from DPA spent time with us explaining what we would need to operate, demonstrated different drones and set everything up for us. The GVC course was delivered very professionally by Chris over three days with him going above an beyond to answer any questions put forward. The guys are very knowledgeable and their experience and previous RAF careers show through. The post course support has been great. We will definitely continue to use DPA in the future.”

“Completing a PFcO to GVC course in November 2023, with The Drone Pilot Academy, who I had also got my original PFcO drone licence with previously. 1 day course with James Ixer, who has a professional and friendly approach to his courses. I would recommend this company, for those considering getting into the Drone sector, for qualifications and training etc.”

“I attended the PfCO to GVC conversion course with Drone Pilot Academy last week and have to say how professionally it was put together. Jim is extremely knowledgeable and passionate, he gets the lesson across expertly and immediately putting you at ease. This is the second time I have gone to DPA for training and wouldn't consider going anywhere else. I can highly recommend them to anyone who has an interest in Drones. Thanks Jim and all at DPA”

“I was looking for a course to obtain my drone qualification to help with roof surveying and I was recommended to attended the 3 day course for the GVC and A2 CofC. On attendance the course was very educational by providing a full understanding of the requirements for drone flying. The material was easy to follow and any questions we had were promptly answered. There was a test on the third day which the whole class had passed. After the test we attended a field near by to practice flying a drone. After the class, the service was still present with help organising the flight test and the paperwork required to submit to the CAA. I would highly recommend attending a course via the Drone Pilot Academy if you require a qualification or are a beginner to drone flying. I will definitely be attending the infrared foundation course in the near future.”

“I have recently completed Drone Pilot Academy's A2 CofC and GVC courses along with several colleagues. A special shout out to Richie for sharing his experience, knowledge and skills, ensuring you're well-prepared for your journey into the skies. From understanding airspace regulations to mastering flight maneuvers, it's a fantastic experience. They've incorporated all the right elements for success. Highly recommend for all aspiring drone pilots!”

“I recently attended the GVC drone pilot course with Drone Pilot Academy. Thoroughly enjoyed the three day course. My instructor was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the subject, would defiantly recommend to anyone who has interests in drones, whether commercially or just for fun.”

Join the Drone Pilot Academy Online Community

Find a Drone Pilot

We have an extensive database of CAA certified pilots who are able to assist with your drone-related tasks.

Find a qualified drone pilot
Cyber Essentials Certified

© Copyright Drone Pilot Academy 2024 Drone Pilot Academy Limited is a company registered in England & Wales Registered Number: 09730812

Genius Division