Propeller Aero

An aerial-survey and progress-management platform for earthwork engineering

Contact for pricing 4.2 Australia

Propeller Aero specializes in earthwork and quarry projects: use a drone to periodically photograph the site, and the platform automatically computes cut volume, fill volume, and stockpile volume, so the site manager can get a weekly set of numbers on "how far we've gotten and how much is left." A team from Sydney, Australia.

Features and use scenarios

Paired with its own AeroPoints smart ground control points — placed directly on the ground, automatically recording precise coordinates — it solves the trickiest part of engineering-grade precision. The platform interface is designed for site staff, not survey experts: click two points to get a cross-section, circle an area to get a volume, and compare against the design drawing to show over- or under-excavation.

It suits earthwork contractors, quarries, and the works teams of large infrastructure projects. Taiwan's public-works progress control mostly relies on manual surveys and billing valuations, and this "fly once a week, numbers come out on their own" approach can greatly reduce disputes, but first assess whether the site is suitable for drone operation.

Main features

Automatic earthwork and stockpile-volume calculation
AeroPoints smart ground control points
Comparison with design drawings to show over/under-excavation
Site-progress time-series tracking
A simplified interface designed for site staff

Common uses

Earthwork excavation-volume estimation
Quarry inventory count
Engineering-progress valuation
Design-vs-actual gap checking

Key Features

Automatic earthwork and stockpile-volume calculation
AeroPoints smart ground control points
Comparison with design drawings to show over/under-excavation
Site-progress time-series tracking
A simplified interface designed for site staff

Pros

Intuitive interface, operable without a survey background
The ground-control-point solution solves the precision pain point
Progress numbers are grounded, reducing valuation disputes

Cons

Focused on earthwork, limited for other applications
Requires purchasing ground-control-point hardware
Site airspace and safety rules must be handled first

Use Cases

Earthwork excavation-volume estimation
Quarry inventory count
Engineering-progress valuation
Design-vs-actual gap checking

Editor's Note

The most time-consuming thing on a site isn't doing the work — it's arguing with the client over 'how much was done.' With a set of numbers both sides trust, the project moves fast.

FAQ

How often should I fly, reasonably?

It depends on the project pace. Large earthwork is often flown weekly or biweekly; for monthly billing, at least once a month aligned with the pricing cycle so the numbers mean something.

Which is more accurate, this or traditional surveying?

A traditional total station has higher single-point precision but can only measure the points it surveys. Aerial survey has full coverage with slightly worse single-point precision, but computing overall volume is actually more reliable. It depends on whether you're measuring points or volume.