Airborne Geophysical Services

Airborne Gravity and Gradiometry Surveys

Aircrafts & Drones

Our service portfolio is technically structured under the FAA framework as follows:

1. Authorized Scope of Services

As an authorized Aerial Survey operator under the FAA, we offer turnkey solutions for the mining industry:

Regional and Detailed Aeromagnetic Surveys: Geophysical flights utilizing optical pumping magnetometers installed on rigid stingers (tail/nose extensions) or wingtip pods.
Airborne Gravity and Gradiometry Surveys (AGG/FTG): Acquisition of subsurface density data using stabilized relative gravimeters and full tensor gradiometers.
Payload Regulatory Compliance: All of our scientific instrumentation is installed via Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) or field approvals (FAA Form 337), ensuring that aircraft modifications strictly comply with Part 91 airworthiness standards.

2. Crew Privileges and Flight Crew Requirements

In accordance with FAA limitations and privileges:

Our flight commanders hold Commercial Pilot Licenses (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot Licenses (ATPL).
Under the Part 119.1 exception, our pilots are legally authorized to receive direct financial compensation from mining companies for conducting these geophysical survey flights.
Dual Purpose Rule Limitations: The FAA strictly prohibits carrying standard commercial cargo or passengers unrelated to the operation during an Aerial Work flight. Only the flight crew and the specialized geophysical equipment operators are permitted on board.

3. Operational Advantages of FAA Part 91

Operating under Part 91 (General Aviation) instead of Part 135 (On-Demand Charter) allows us to offer more competitive rates and greater operational flexibility:

Infrastructure Flexibility: We can take off and land on unpaved runways, private mining camp airstrips, or remote backcountry areas without the stringent airport infrastructure restrictions required by Part 135.
Rigorous and Efficient Maintenance: We fully comply with the annual and 100-hour inspections required for commercial-use aircraft under Part 91, ensuring maximum safety without the bureaucratic delays of commercial airline continuous maintenance programs (CAMP).

4. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS / Drones)

For high-resolution local projects or extreme topographic conditions, our unmanned division operates under Part 107 (Small UAS), or via specific FAA exemptions (such as Section 44807) for heavy drones carrying larger gravimetric payloads:

We conduct surveys using miniaturized magnetometers, drastically optimizing fuel costs and field logistics.
We operate in alignment with the latest FAA frameworks for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations, expanding the effective range of our autonomous drones in desert or mountainous terrains.