Short answer: for topographic surveys, stockpiles and small-to-medium sites, an entry-level payload such as the AlphaAir 450 or AlphaAir 9 is usually enough. For long corridors, forestry, high flying heights or large areas per flight, step up to the AlphaAir 6 or AlphaAir 15. If one sensor has to fly on a drone and also drive on a vehicle, look at the multi-platform AlphaUni 20.
CHCNAV UAV LiDAR systems compared
| System | Key specs (manufacturer) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| AlphaAir 450 | 0.95 kg · 720,000 pts/s · 450 m range · 26 MP camera · CoPre & CoProcess included with no subscription | Cost-effective topographic and volume surveys |
| AlphaAir 9 | 1.45 kg · 500,000 pts/s · 600 m max range · 26 MP camera · 2–5 cm absolute accuracy | High-density topo with RGB in one flight |
| AlphaAir 10 | 500,000 pts/s · up to 800 m AGL · 45 MP full-frame camera · 2–5 cm absolute | Corridors and projects that need high-quality imagery |
| AlphaAir 6 | 1.35 kg · up to 2 million pts/s · 16 returns · up to 2,100 m ranging (high reflectivity) · optional 4/3-inch camera | Vegetation penetration, higher altitudes, more area per flight |
| AlphaAir 15 | Up to 2 million pts/s · up to 1,800 m range · UAV, helicopter or light aircraft | Large-area and long linear mapping |
| AlphaUni 20 | Multi-platform: UAV, helicopter, fixed-wing, vehicle, boat or backpack · 2–5 cm accuracy | One sensor for air and ground mapping |
How to choose
1. What are you mapping?
Bare-earth topography and stockpiles don't need the longest range. Forestry, brush and power-line corridors benefit from more returns and higher point rates, which is where the AlphaAir 6 (16 returns, up to 2 million pts/s) stands out.
2. How much area per flight?
Flying higher covers more ground per battery. Longer-range sensors such as the AlphaAir 6 and AlphaAir 15 keep point density at higher altitudes; the lightweight AlphaAir 450 extends flight time and can cover up to about 2 km² per mission.
3. Do you need imagery too?
Every AlphaAir model above has an integrated or optional camera for colourised point clouds and orthophotos. The AlphaAir 10's 45 MP full-frame camera is the choice when image quality is part of the deliverable.
4. Which drone will carry it?
The AlphaAir payloads mount on the CHCNAV X500 through the one-click AlphaPort, and several also fit the DJI M350 and third-party drones. The X500 carries up to 5 kg, flies up to 58 minutes and runs the open MAVLink protocol, so it isn't locked to one sensor.
5. What will processing cost over time?
CHCNAV CoPre processes trajectories and point clouds and CoProcess handles classification and feature extraction. The AlphaAir 450 includes both with no subscription fee — worth factoring into total cost of ownership.
Flying drone LiDAR in Canada
Drone LiDAR operations in Canada fall under Transport Canada's RPAS rules. Depending on your aircraft and where you fly, you may need a basic or advanced pilot certificate, a registered drone and, for some operations, a special flight operations certificate. Check the current requirements for your mission before you fly. For accurate results, plan for GNSS base data or CORS corrections and a few ground check points.
Rent first, then buy
LATNET rents AlphaAir 6D and AlphaAir 6 systems as payload-only or complete drone packages, from $2,600 per week. See drone LiDAR rentals, or book a live demo and get a quote. We are an authorized CHCNAV dealer in Calgary and ship across Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What accuracy can I expect from UAV LiDAR?
CHCNAV specifies 2–5 cm absolute accuracy for systems such as the AlphaAir 9, AlphaAir 10 and AlphaUni 20. Real-world results depend on flight height, GNSS corrections, boresight calibration and ground control.
Can drone LiDAR see through trees?
LiDAR pulses pass through gaps in the canopy and record several returns, so the ground can be mapped under vegetation. Sensors with more returns and higher point rates, such as the AlphaAir 6, give better ground coverage in dense forest.
Do I need a CHCNAV drone?
No. The CHCNAV X500 is the tightly integrated option, but several AlphaAir payloads also mount on the DJI M350 and other third-party drones.
Which software processes the data?
CHCNAV CoPre for trajectory and point-cloud processing, and CoProcess for classification, ground extraction and deliverables. Data can also be exported to TerraSolid and other LiDAR software.
Equipment mentioned in this article
Authorized CHCNAV dealer · Calgary-based support · Shipped across Canada · Live demos and rentals available
CHCNAV AlphaAir 450 UAV LiDAR System for Affordable Aerial Mapping
CHCNAV · LiDAR
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CHCNAV AlphaAir 9 Lightweight UAV LiDAR system for high-density aerial topographic surveys
CHCNAV · LiDAR
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CHCNAV AlphaAir 6 UAV LiDAR System
CHCNAV · LiDAR
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CHCNAV AlphaAir 15 Airborne LiDAR System for UAV & Aerial Mapping
CHCNAV · LiDAR
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CHCNAV AlphaUni 20 Multi-Platform Mobile Mapping LiDAR System
CHCNAV
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CHCNAV X500 Professional Survey and Mapping Drone
CHCNAV · Drone
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