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Unlock the Foundation of All Surveying and Mapping - Geodesy
Learn the critical geodesy principles that every professional drone surveyor must understand. Once you complete this expert-led course, you will understand the principles of geodesy – the foundation of all surveying and mapping.
This course is just one piece of a comprehensive learning path. Unlock the full potential of your skills by enrolling in our complete program and save up to 30% compared to purchasing individual courses separately.
At the end of this course, you’ll have the opportunity to earn your Geodesy for Drone Surveying Certificate, which will prove to employers and clients that you’re knowledgeable about geodesy.
This course is taught by Dave Doyle, one of the most respected experts in geodesy and land surveying, with over 50 years of experience in geospatial positioning and mapping.
For 40 years, Dave worked at the National Geodetic Survey (NGS), ultimately holding the position of Chief Geodetic Surveyor for the NGS. During his time at NGS, he was responsible for the development, technical design, and management of programs that enhanced the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS)—the framework that provides accurate positioning data for surveying, mapping, and engineering across the United States.
His work included major contributions to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83) and the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88)—the same foundational systems that surveyors, engineers, and geospatial professionals use today. Many of the core concepts in this course are built on systems and methods that Dave helped create.
Beyond his work at NGS, Dave has held leadership roles in some of the most important surveying organizations, including:
✔ Past President of the American Association for Geodetic Surveying
✔ Fellow Member of the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping
✔ Charter Member of the Geographic and Land Information Society
✔ U.S. Delegate to the International Federation of Surveyors
As one of the top educators in geodesy, he has trained thousands of surveyors, engineers, and GIS professionals on survey control, GNSS, datums, and coordinate systems.
Now, in this course, you’ll learn directly from the expert who helped shape modern geodetic and surveying standards. If you want to truly understand how accurate mapping and positioning work—and how to apply them to drone-based surveying—Dave is the perfect guide.
You will gain critical knowledge that most drone operators overlook, laying the foundation for advanced skills that will make you a standout professional in the world of surveying and mapping.
Expand Each Section To Learn More ↓
Introduction to this Course
About Your Instructor
Navigating the Course and Getting Support
The Advanced Drone Mapping and Modeling Program
Course Textbook
Purpose of this Section
Geodesy Definition and Importance in Mapping and Surveying
The Need for a “Mathematical Surface”
Latitude and Longitude Basics
The Role of Geodesy in Modern Positioning
Purpose of this Section
What is the National Geodetic Survey (NGS)?
Problem: Everyone Using Their Own Models
Tools We Used Before GPS/GNSS
The Origin Of Global Positioning System (GPS)
GPS to GNSS: Evolution of Satellite Positioning
Understanding Satellite Geometry for GPS Positioning
Relevant Organizations for Geodesy and Surveying
Purpose of this Section
What is the ACTUAL Shape of the Earth?
Surface 1: The Ellipsoid
The Geoid and The Three Heights Equation
Purpose of this Section
Overview of the Different Types of Coordinate Systems
Geographic Coordinates
Cartesian Coordinates
Earth-Centered Earth-Fixed (ECEF) System
Purpose of this Section
Understanding Reference Ellipsoids, Systems and Frames
The Evolution of Ellipsoids in U.S. Geodetic Surveys
WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984)
What is a Datum?
Horizontal Datums and Their 8 Components
Expressing Modern Datums
Global Vs Local Datums
WGS 84 vs. NAD 83
Preview of Vertical Datums
Purpose of this Section
Recap of the 3 Heights Formula
Vertical Datums
EGM08
Tidal Datums
Purpose of this Section
The Need for Map Projections. Part 1
The Need for Map Projections. Part 2
The Distortion Problem
Transverse Mercator Projection
Lambert Conformal Conic Projection
State Plane Coordinate Systems
“Ground to Grid” Conversions and Scale Factors
Metadata and Units Of Measure
Purpose of this Section
What Is Geodetic Control?
Understanding Passive and Active Geodetic Control
Examples of Passive Control
Active GNSS Control Systems
Accessing and Understanding Geodetic Data from NGS
Understanding Geodetic Data:Coordinates, Epochs, and Accuracy
Course Summary
Final Exam
Maybe you work for a surveying or engineering company and you want to learn exactly what geodesy is and how it affects your work.
Or maybe you’re a drone service provider that wants to expand your skillset and offer more value to your clients.
You’ve probably encountered some challenges in your drone surveying projects, especially when working with engineers or surveyors. Whether you’re already offering drone surveying services or you want to break into this niche, understanding geodesy is crucial.
Maybe you’re struggling to communicate effectively with industry professionals because you don’t fully understand concepts like datums, coordinate systems, and geodetic measurements.
Or maybe you’ve noticed that errors in your surveying data are leading to costly mistakes and wasted time when you need to correct them.
You want to enhance your reputation, reduce the time spent fixing errors, and work more efficiently – but you need the right knowledge to do that.
Without a strong understanding of geodesy, you’re facing major roadblocks.
Working with surveyors, engineers, and clients in the surveying industry can be frustrating if you don’t speak the same language.
You’re missing the knowledge that will allow you to make your data useful, accurate, and trusted.
And if you don’t have that foundational knowledge of geodesy, It’s hard to know where to start or which concepts are essential for your work.
You want to deliver accurate, reliable services.
Because if you don’t…
It’ll have a huge impact on your professionalism and credibility in the eyes of your clients and employers.
You deserve to feel confident in your abilities and valued as a trusted expert in your field.
But it can all feel overwhelming, right?
We get it.
Geodesy is essential for your work in drone surveying, but it can seem like a super complicated and complex topic to learn.
That’s why we’ve made this course simple, easy to understand, and directly applicable to your projects.
We partnered with Dave Doyle, a skilled and experienced geodesist, to teach you everything you need to know.
Dave has decades of experience working in the field and will guide you step-by-step through the critical principles of geodesy, ensuring you understand how they apply to your work as a drone surveyor.
Get a sneak peek of the Geodesy for Drone Surveying course with a free sample lesson.
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to correctly interpret coordinate systems and datums, so you can start improving your surveying data right away.
Download the free sample lesson now to see the value for yourself!
By the end of the Geodesy for Drone Surveying course, you’ll be equipped with the confidence and knowledge to excel in your drone surveying career. No more guessing. No more mistakes. Just clear, accurate data, and the respect of your clients and industry professionals.
If you don’t learn how to apply the principles of geodesy to your drone work…
You’ll continue making avoidable mistakes with your data, which could lead to errors that cost the company BIG.
Your data will remain less accurate, which will frustrate your clients and damage your reputation.
Professionals who learn this foundational knowledge and apply it to their drone work will pull ahead, leaving you struggling to keep up.
Don’t fall behind. Learn how you can use geodesy to take your drone skills to the next level.
Enroll today and get immediate access to all course content.
And if you’re not completely satisfied with the course within 30 days, we offer a full refund, no questions asked.
Don’t let the complexity of geodesy hold you back any longer. Enroll today and start mastering the key principles that will take your drone surveying career to the next level.
This course is 1 of the 5 courses that make up our Advanced Drone Mapping and Modeling Program.
If you want to get a complete education on geodesy, GNSS and survey control, and advanced drone mapping and 3D modeling so you can work on projects in industries like construction, engineering, architecture, and land surveying… The Advanced Drone Mapping and Modeling Program is for you. And enrolling in the entire program gives you a discount on ALL of the courses!
If you’re ready to get lifetime access to this comprehensive program so you can learn EVERYTHING you need to know to work on advanced-level drone mapping and modeling projects, just click the button below to get enrolled in the entire program.
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