FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) uses thousands of lasers firing every second to measure a “point cloud” of data which can be used in many different ways, including creating topographical mapping and volumetric data.

Our team of inspectors, pilots, and scientists can quickly deploy statewide and may already be familiar with your project since we actively inspect hundreds of projects per month.

Lidar is great and all, but how the data is processed, packaged, and delivered makes all the difference. Tell us what you’d like to achieve and we can tell you if we can deliver data that will help you save time and money that is often 10x up to 100X more than you’ll spend on lidar missions.

Summit’s goal is to use non-technical language to help you understand the “how” of lidar, and to offer actionable data as the “why”. Lidar should be more than supercool 3d images. If our outputs cannot save you time or money, we suggest you hang on to that money.

Our team of inspectors, pilots, and scientists can quickly deploy statewide and may already be familiar with your project since we actively inspect hundreds of projects per month.

Lidar is great and all, but how the data is processed, packaged, and delivered makes all the difference. Tell us what you’d like to achieve and we can tell you if we can deliver data that will help you save time and money that is often 10x up to 100X more than you’ll spend on lidar missions.

LiDAR on a drone works by sending out rapid laser pulses toward the ground and measuring how long it takes for each pulse to bounce back. The drone uses these return times to calculate distances and create a highly accurate 3D map of the terrain, structures, and vegetation below—even through tree canopy. The drone flys a predetermined pattern over the site to allow for overlap, and the points of data are correlated to the drone’s position at any given moment during the mission. It’s pretty dang cool, honestly.

LiDAR and photogrammetry both can collect aerial data when used as a drone payload, but they work in different ways. LiDAR uses laser pulses to measure distance and elevation, creating highly accurate terrain models that can capture ground surfaces even through vegetation. Photogrammetry uses overlapping aerial images to create 2D maps and 3D models based on visible features, providing strong visual detail where the ground is clearly exposed.

Wind, rain, fog and snow will reduce the quality of the point cloud. One interesting thing is that LiDAR data can be acquired at night whereas photogrammetry cannot.

Battery life is currently a challenge for all forms of aerial mapping/surveying. However, to put it in perspective, we can acquire about 250 acres per day of LiDAR data by hot swapping batteries, which is impressive.

Another limitation is that the raw data only becomes valuable when rendered properly, and there is a combination of art and science needed to provide actionable information. Summit’s goal is always to provide more than a pretty picture. We believe in most cases our work pays for itself by mitigating risk and allowing more accurate planning and project management.

Many different kinds of job sites can benefit from using a LiDAR drone, including quarries, landfills, well sites, construction and land development sites. If you’re moving dirt and need to know where it’s going LiDAR is a valuable tool to confirm and measure your work.

LiDAR drones can create data for many sites, including measuring stockpiles, measuring volumetrics on stream beds, Pipeline planning, Pre-construction planning, Containment area calculations, creating topographical maps for permitting or grading plans, creating colorized 3D maps, landslide monitoring and much more.

There are many LiDAR devices available on the market, with varying levels of accuracy. Our systems have documented absolute accuracy of 2-5 cm, which means our LiDAR equipment can deliver the accuracy needed for survey and engineering professionals. We’ve done the equipment research so you don’t have to.

Our drones are built to operate safely and reliably in various challenging environments. They’re capable of use over steep rocky terrain, wetlands, and areas with dense vegetation where ground access can be difficult and unsafe for human access.
Each aircraft is equipped with onboard GPS and altitude-above-ground level (AGL) guidance systems that help maintain stable, controlled flight and consistent data capture. Combined with Summit’s experienced pilots and pre-flight planning, this allows us to collect accurate data while minimizing risk to both the site and on-site crews—even in complex or hard-to-reach areas.

We use two different drones for our services. Our LiDAR data is collected using a Phoenix unmanned aircraft system made in the U.S.A. and cleared by Blue UAV, in cooperation with the Department of Defense.

For our photogrammetry services, we collect aerial imagery using a DJI Matrice 4E and process the data through Propeller’s cloud-based platform, which converts the photos into detailed 3D site models and measurable surfaces that teams can use for tracking progress, volumes, and site conditions. Learn more about Propeller software at their website.

Most LiDAR drone mapping projects can be completed in a few hours of actual flight time, but setting ground controls may take several hours as well the first time a site is mapped, depending on site size and complexity.

Data processing typically takes 1–3 days for standard projects, though larger or heavily vegetated sites may require additional time for classification and quality checks. Overall, clients can usually expect final deliverables within 2–5 days. If you have a pressing deadline, SummitLiDAR will give you a quote for expedited processing.

Keep in mind that some projects may require additional time to apply for a permit to fly, so the earlier you reach out to Summit, the more likely we can avoid those kinds of unexpected delays.

We start by collecting high-density, raw point data and building it into a detailed 3D model. Using our Phoenix drone equipped with the Recon XT LiDAR system, the data is processed through Phoenix’s LiDARMill software, which organizes and aligns the point cloud into a clean, accurate model. From there, the data set can be turned into maps, surface models, and 3D files that can be used in design, planning, or engineering software. This process provides accurate, organized information that teams can reference and work from efficiently.

In most cases, you don’t need to obtain a permit yourself. Professional drone service providers (including Summit) operate under their own FAA Part 107 certification and handle all required airspace authorizations. Additional permits may be needed only if the project is in restricted airspace, on protected land, or requires special flight operations—your drone provider will typically manage those approvals for you.