A Proven Workflow for More Efficient Survey Crews

A Proven Workflow for More Efficient Survey Crews


Set Aerial Targets Faster: A Proven Workflow for More Efficient Survey Crews

By Surveying-Guru.com

In the world of aerial mapping, drone surveying, LiDAR, and photogrammetry, efficiency in the field directly impacts project profitability. Every minute spent setting control targets is a minute that could be spent collecting data, completing additional work, or reducing field costs.

While most surveyors focus on the accuracy of their control network, many overlook opportunities to streamline the process of setting aerial targets. A well-planned workflow can dramatically reduce setup time while improving consistency, data quality, and crew productivity.

Here is a field-tested approach that combines speed, accuracy, and sustainability.

Why Aerial Targets Matter

Aerial targets provide a highly visible reference point for drones, aircraft, and photogrammetric software. When accurately surveyed, these targets become Ground Control Points (GCPs) that help improve the absolute accuracy of mapping products.

Without properly placed targets, aerial imagery may suffer from:

  • Reduced positional accuracy
  • Poor block adjustment results
  • Increased office processing time
  • Additional field visits
  • Client dissatisfaction

The goal is simple: create a target that is clearly visible from the air and accurately tied to a surveyed position on the ground.

The Tools You Need

One of the easiest ways to improve productivity is to standardize equipment across all crews.

Basic Field Kit

🪏 Shovel
🔨 Hammer
📌 Nails
🎯 Eco-Target
📡 GNSS Receiver with Bipod
💧 Water Bottle

Keeping the tool list simple ensures crews spend less time organizing equipment and more time setting targets.

Step 1: Find a Suitable Location

The most important decision happens before a target ever touches the ground.

Look for locations that provide:

✅ Good visibility from the air
✅ Minimal shadows throughout the flight window
✅ Sufficient distance from buildings and trees
✅ Safe crew access
✅ Stable ground conditions

Remember that a perfectly surveyed target has little value if it cannot be clearly identified in the aerial imagery.

Pro Tip

Use existing aerial imagery, parcel maps, GIS layers, or flight plans before going to the field. Pre-selecting likely target locations can save hours over the course of a project.

Step 2: Clear and Level the Ground

Once a suitable location is identified, prepare the area.

Using a shovel:

  • Remove vegetation
  • Eliminate large rocks
  • Clear sticks and debris
  • Flatten uneven surfaces

A clean and level location makes the target easier to identify and helps prevent movement caused by wind or uneven ground.

Many crews find that spending an extra minute on ground preparation can save significant office time when targets need to be identified later during processing.

Step 3: Set the Center Nail

The center nail establishes the precise survey point.

Place the Eco-Target over the selected location and drive the center nail through the target's center mark.

This single nail becomes:

  • The survey control point
  • The GNSS occupation point
  • The center reference of the target

Accuracy starts here.

Take a moment to verify that the nail is secure and remains stable during GNSS observations.

Step 4: Occupy the Point with GNSS

With the center nail established, set up the GNSS receiver using a bipod.

Depending on project requirements, collect:

  • RTK observations
  • Network RTK measurements
  • Static observations
  • Fast-static observations

Verify:

✅ Correct antenna height
✅ Stable bipod placement
✅ Appropriate observation duration
✅ Reliable satellite geometry

This is where the accuracy of your mapping project is ultimately established.

Step 5: Set the Target While the GNSS Works

This is one of the biggest time-saving tricks available to field crews.

Instead of waiting for data collection to finish before installing the target, carefully place the target while the GNSS receiver is still occupying the point.

A simple technique is to place one corner of the target between the bipod legs.

Once aligned:

  • Secure the first corner
  • Secure the opposite corner
  • Secure remaining corners
  • Verify the center nail remains visible and centered

This approach allows surveying and target installation to occur simultaneously.

Why It Works

Many crews lose productivity by treating surveying and target setup as separate operations.

Combining the two tasks can significantly reduce total time at each location.

Step 6: Hydrate While Data is Collected

Once everything is secure, let the receiver do its job.

Take advantage of the observation period by:

💧 Drinking water
📝 Reviewing the next target location
📱 Checking project notes
📸 Taking site photographs

A five- to eight-minute observation period disappears quickly when crews use the time effectively.

Hydrated crews are safer, more productive, and less fatigued throughout the day.

Walk Joyfully to the Next Location

With the observation complete:

✅ Verify data collection
✅ Remove GNSS equipment
✅ Inspect the target
✅ Confirm documentation is complete

Then move confidently to the next location and repeat the process.

Consistency is the key to productivity.

A crew that follows the same workflow at every location will typically outperform crews that improvise their setup methods throughout the day.

The Hidden Cost of Target Retrieval

Many organizations focus exclusively on target purchase price.

However, the largest cost associated with aerial targets is often labor.

Consider the expenses involved in retrieval:

  • Vehicle costs
  • Fuel
  • Crew wages
  • Travel time
  • Scheduling delays
  • Site access coordination

The actual target material is often the least expensive part of the process.

Using environmentally friendly Eco-Targets can help reduce or eliminate retrieval requirements while also minimizing environmental impact.

Field Checklist

Before Leaving the Truck

  • ☐ Shovel
  • ☐ Hammer
  • ☐ Nails
  • ☐ Eco-Target
  • ☐ GNSS Receiver
  • ☐ Bipod
  • ☐ Water

At Each Target Location

  • ☐ Select suitable location
  • ☐ Verify aerial visibility
  • ☐ Clear and level ground
  • ☐ Set center nail
  • ☐ Set up GNSS equipment
  • ☐ Begin observation
  • ☐ Position target with corner between bipod legs
  • ☐ Secure all corners
  • ☐ Verify center alignment
  • ☐ Take photographs
  • ☐ Hydrate during observation
  • ☐ Confirm data collection complete
  • ☐ Move to next location

Final Thoughts

Efficient aerial targeting is not about working harder—it's about creating a repeatable process that maximizes productivity while maintaining accuracy.

By combining GNSS observations with target installation, standardizing equipment, and implementing a consistent workflow, survey crews can reduce field time, improve project profitability, and collect higher-quality data.

At Surveying-Guru.com, we believe every minute saved in the field is a minute earned back for your business.

Set targets smarter. Survey faster. Leave a smaller environmental footprint.

🎯 Less Retrieval. More Surveying.

About Surveying Guru

Surveying-Guru.com provides innovative Eco-Targets and educational resources designed to help surveyors improve efficiency, reduce costs, and support sustainable surveying practices. Whether you're supporting drone mapping, photogrammetry, LiDAR, or traditional survey control, we're committed to helping crews work smarter in the field.

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