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Drone Survey Specification Template

A drafting aid for engineering consultancies writing drone survey scope into Irish tender documents

Drone Services Ireland · Version 1.0 · April 2026

How to use this template: Fill in the fields below directly on screen. Use the Download as PDF button to save a completed copy, or Email to DSI to send it for review and a fixed-price quote. All data stays in your browser — nothing is stored on our servers.

Section 1. Project identification

Project title:

Project reference:

Employer / Client:

Lead engineering consultancy:

Site location:

Site area:

Survey area (KML):

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Required survey date:

Deliverable deadline:

Section 2. Scope of works

The Supplier shall undertake a drone survey of the site identified in Section 1 and deliver topographic, photogrammetric and/or LiDAR outputs as selected in Section 4, to the accuracy and format requirements in Section 3.

Section 3. Technical requirements

3.1 Positioning and accuracy

Horizontal accuracy:
Vertical accuracy:
Positioning method: RTK with CORSnet corrections, with parallel PPK logging as a mandatory backup
Coordinate reference system: Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM), EPSG:2157
Vertical datum: Malin Head (OSGM15 geoid model)
Ground control: minimum photo-identifiable targets per hectare, coordinated with a survey-grade GNSS receiver
Independent check points: minimum of total control, held back from processing and reported separately

3.2 Flight and capture parameters

Flight altitude:
Image overlap: minimum 80 per cent front, 70 per cent side
Ground sample distance (GSD):
Camera: calibrated sensor with published lens distortion model
Sensor type:
Flight conditions: wind speed below operator limits, no active precipitation, sun angle suitable for the deliverable type

3.3 Regulatory requirements

Operator authorisation: EASA Specific Category or higher, current and documented
Insurance: public liability minimum € per claim with drone operations explicitly named
Flight logs: captured in a recognised audit platform such as Airdata and available on request
Data protection: any imagery that captures identifiable persons must be handled in accordance with GDPR
Airspace coordination: operator is responsible for all airspace permissions including IAA notifications

Section 4. Deliverables

Deliverable	Format	Required
Orthomosaic	GeoTIFF, PDF
Digital Terrain Model (DTM)	GeoTIFF, ASCII XYZ, LandXML
Digital Surface Model (DSM)	GeoTIFF
Classified point cloud	LAS or LAZ
Contour plan	DWG, DXF at
Cross sections	DWG, DXF at
Volume calculations	PDF report with base plane methodology
Survey report	PDF, with methodology statement	Yes
Residuals report	PDF table with check point errors	Yes
Flight log audit trail	PDF export from flight log platform	Yes

Section 5. Quality assurance and sign-off

The Supplier shall attach a residuals report against independent check points to every survey delivery.
The Supplier shall make the raw imagery and flight log available on request for audit purposes for a period of 12 months from delivery.
The Supplier shall re-fly the site at no additional cost where the delivered accuracy is shown to fall outside the tolerances specified in Section 3.
The Supplier shall provide a named point of contact for any technical queries raised by the Employer within 30 days of delivery.

Section 6. Programme and mobilisation

Notice to mobilise:

On-site flight window:

Processing and delivery:

Total programme from appointment to delivery:

Section 7. Pricing schedule

The Supplier shall provide a fixed lump sum price against the scope of works and deliverables described in this specification. The price shall include all flights, ground control, processing, QA and delivery. Expenses including travel and accommodation are to be included.

Additional pricing notes: