Is bigger really better?
Traditional geophysical survey companies would have you believe that airborne geophysical survey systems must be large and complex to provide useful data. Their systems are usually so heavy that larger helicopters (such as AS350 B2 and B407) are required, with high fuel burn and complex maintenance requirements. At the same time, external sensors means that they must be flown at higher altitudes which limits the resolution of small sources which are typically sought in mineral exploration applications.
Our solution
At Precision GeoSurveys, we have recognized the limitations of conventional survey systems. Our solution has been to use the latest advances in digital technology, sensor design, and composite materials to build a geophysical system custom-installed on our own helicopter. Our practical and innovative installation provides our customers with superior data at a lower price.
Aircraft
Precision GeoSurveys provides ground and airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys. For airborne survey work, our aircraft of choice is the Bell 206B JetRanger due to its proven safety, reliability, performance, and fuel economy. When it comes to collecting high-quality data, you can’t beat the low and slow capabilities of a helicopter, and when it comes to helicopters, you can’t beat the safety, reliability, and economy of a JetRanger!
GPS Navigation System
To collect high quality geophysical data, you need to know where you are. The heart of our system is a Garmin 12-channel, WAAS-capable, Global Positioning System accurate to within 2 meters. The GPS is coupled with a Pico AGIS-L data logger-pilot steering display for pilot navigation and real-time digital data recording. We strive for survey line accuracy of +/- 10 meters (terrain dependant), achievable on a routine basis by our pilots who are specialists at this type of work.
Multi-channel Radiometrics
We use a Pico Envirotec GRS-10 intelligent spectrometer coupled with a detector array of two 4.2 litre NaI crystals to collect radiometric data. The total of 8.4 liters of detectors are mounted inside the helicopter to allow low-level flight patterns. The spectrometer is self-calibrating and outputs the full 256 channel radiometric spectrum for processing using PC-based Praga-3 software.
Flying low level, terrain-following, flights by helicopter provides high downward-looking sensitivity and a high signal/noise ratio which reduces complex mathematical data reduction procedures. Low-level survey flights have the added bonus of enhancing identification of small radioactive sources, such as veins and boulders mineralized with uranium, which may not be detectable by surveys flown at higher altitudes by larger systems.
Airborne Magnetometer Sensors
Scintrex CS-3 non-radioactive cesium sensors are carried in a custom-made towed-bird assembly to eliminate magnetic interference from the helicopter. The orientation of the sensor is adjustable, to provide optimum coupling with the earth’s field on reciprocal headings. The measurement range of the magnetometer is 15,000 nT to 100,000 nT with a peak to peak noise envelope of 0.002 nT in the 0.01 to 1 Hz bandwidth. We normally fly magnetics and radiometrics on separate flights to enhance radiometric data quality.
Mag Processor
Data from the airborne magnetic sensor is converted by a Pico MMS-4 magnetometer processor carried on board the aircraft.
Electromagnetic System
We are currently developing an electromagnetic (EM) survey system to measure conductivity/resistivity.
Data Logger
A Pico AGIS digital data logger collects and records all applicable geophysical and navigational data, including X-Y-Z GPS position data, time, date, 256 channels of radiometrics, total field magnetics, laser altimeter, temperature, and humidity.
Ground Spectrometer
For detailed ground surveys and uranium target follow-up, we use a Pico GRS-2 spectrometer which is fully integrated with GPS navigation and a digital data logger. Detector volume is 0.35 liters with full 256 channel resolution. The GRS-2 system can be backpack mounted, or carried by ATV or other vehicle at speeds up to about 40 km/h. This system is available for rent, or we can provide an operator.
Traditional geophysical survey companies would have you believe that airborne geophysical survey systems must be large and complex to provide useful data. Their systems are usually so heavy that larger helicopters (such as AS350 B2 and B407) are required, with high fuel burn and complex maintenance requirements. At the same time, external sensors means that they must be flown at higher altitudes which limits the resolution of small sources which are typically sought in mineral exploration applications.
Our solution
At Precision GeoSurveys, we have recognized the limitations of conventional survey systems. Our solution has been to use the latest advances in digital technology, sensor design, and composite materials to build a geophysical system custom-installed on our own helicopter. Our practical and innovative installation provides our customers with superior data at a lower price.
Aircraft
Precision GeoSurveys provides ground and airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys. For airborne survey work, our aircraft of choice is the Bell 206B JetRanger due to its proven safety, reliability, performance, and fuel economy. When it comes to collecting high-quality data, you can’t beat the low and slow capabilities of a helicopter, and when it comes to helicopters, you can’t beat the safety, reliability, and economy of a JetRanger!
GPS Navigation System
To collect high quality geophysical data, you need to know where you are. The heart of our system is a Garmin 12-channel, WAAS-capable, Global Positioning System accurate to within 2 meters. The GPS is coupled with a Pico AGIS-L data logger-pilot steering display for pilot navigation and real-time digital data recording. We strive for survey line accuracy of +/- 10 meters (terrain dependant), achievable on a routine basis by our pilots who are specialists at this type of work.
Multi-channel Radiometrics
We use a Pico Envirotec GRS-10 intelligent spectrometer coupled with a detector array of two 4.2 litre NaI crystals to collect radiometric data. The total of 8.4 liters of detectors are mounted inside the helicopter to allow low-level flight patterns. The spectrometer is self-calibrating and outputs the full 256 channel radiometric spectrum for processing using PC-based Praga-3 software.
Flying low level, terrain-following, flights by helicopter provides high downward-looking sensitivity and a high signal/noise ratio which reduces complex mathematical data reduction procedures. Low-level survey flights have the added bonus of enhancing identification of small radioactive sources, such as veins and boulders mineralized with uranium, which may not be detectable by surveys flown at higher altitudes by larger systems.
Airborne Magnetometer Sensors
Scintrex CS-3 non-radioactive cesium sensors are carried in a custom-made towed-bird assembly to eliminate magnetic interference from the helicopter. The orientation of the sensor is adjustable, to provide optimum coupling with the earth’s field on reciprocal headings. The measurement range of the magnetometer is 15,000 nT to 100,000 nT with a peak to peak noise envelope of 0.002 nT in the 0.01 to 1 Hz bandwidth. We normally fly magnetics and radiometrics on separate flights to enhance radiometric data quality.
Mag Processor
Data from the airborne magnetic sensor is converted by a Pico MMS-4 magnetometer processor carried on board the aircraft.
Electromagnetic System
We are currently developing an electromagnetic (EM) survey system to measure conductivity/resistivity.
Data Logger
A Pico AGIS digital data logger collects and records all applicable geophysical and navigational data, including X-Y-Z GPS position data, time, date, 256 channels of radiometrics, total field magnetics, laser altimeter, temperature, and humidity.
Ground Spectrometer
For detailed ground surveys and uranium target follow-up, we use a Pico GRS-2 spectrometer which is fully integrated with GPS navigation and a digital data logger. Detector volume is 0.35 liters with full 256 channel resolution. The GRS-2 system can be backpack mounted, or carried by ATV or other vehicle at speeds up to about 40 km/h. This system is available for rent, or we can provide an operator.