UAV LiDAR Survey Training

SeaBot Maritime | Academy

Practical training in UAV LiDAR surveying, point-cloud processing and generation of accurate terrain products for mapping, monitoring and geospatial analysis.

This course introduces participants to the complete workflow of UAV-based LiDAR data acquisition and processing. It covers mission planning, sensor configuration, GNSS/RTK considerations, field data collection, point-cloud inspection, classification and the generation of elevation products such as DEMs, DSMs, hillshades and contour maps.

Participants learn how UAV LiDAR differs from image-based photogrammetry and when laser scanning provides clear advantages, especially in areas with vegetation, complex terrain, low texture, narrow corridors or demanding elevation-mapping requirements. The course also explains how flight altitude, speed, scan angle, point density, overlap and trajectory quality influence the final dataset.

The training combines theoretical instruction, practical field exercises and hands-on data-processing sessions. It is suitable for users working in surveying, coastal monitoring, forestry, engineering, infrastructure inspection, environmental studies and research applications.

This course is designed for UAV operators and geospatial users who want to collect, process and use LiDAR point clouds for professional mapping and terrain analysis.

UAV pilots expanding into LiDAR surveying
Surveyors and geospatial data specialists
GIS users working with elevation and point-cloud data
Coastal, river and environmental monitoring teams
Forestry, vegetation and habitat-mapping specialists
Engineering, construction and infrastructure inspection teams
Researchers and students working with high-resolution terrain data
Organisations planning to introduce UAV LiDAR into operational workflows

Previous UAV flight experience is helpful. Basic GIS knowledge is recommended, especially for participants who want to focus on data processing and the preparation of final geospatial products.

Principles of UAV LiDAR data acquisition and laser scanning
Differences between LiDAR, photogrammetry and hybrid UAV workflows
Mission planning for UAV LiDAR surveys
Flight altitude, speed, overlap, scan angle and point-density considerations
GNSS/RTK, base station and trajectory-quality requirements
Sensor configuration and field data-collection workflow
Point-cloud structure, attributes and basic quality assessment
Noise filtering, ground classification and vegetation handling
Generation of DEM, DSM, hillshade and contour products
Exporting LiDAR outputs for GIS, CAD, mapping and reporting
Common errors in UAV LiDAR surveys and how to avoid them

I am an international student. Will I be able to join your training course?

Yes, international students are welcome to join our course. We can provide a letter of invitation to support your visa application. For more information about the visa process, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration

Will accommodation and travel be included in the course price?

No, accommodation and travel are not included in the course price. However, we can recommend local hotels or advise whether your chosen accommodation is conveniently located near the training site before you book.

What are the career prospects after the course?

The autonomous and uncrewed sector within the maritime industry is growing rapidly, creating exciting new career opportunities. We are seeing increasing demand for operators to have USV training as part of their skill set, making this course a valuable addition to your professional profile.

As the industry continues to evolve, a wider range of roles linked to uncrewed and autonomous technologies is emerging, offering strong potential for career progression and future opportunities.