No. Gaia provides mapping support and technical assistance for coastal and environmental projects. Our maps and elevation models are informational products. They don’t establish property boundaries, legal descriptions or design elevations, and they complement, not replace, the work of a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer.

Mapping flights use an RTK-enabled drone, which ties each image to precise satellite positioning. Accuracy depends on the site, conditions and project needs, and I’ll explain what to expect when we scope the work. Where a licensed surveyor has set control points, the data can be checked against them. Every delivery includes a short methods summary.

Typically georeferenced orthomosaics and elevation models (GeoTIFF), cross-section views, figures and a short summary. Data is provided in standard coordinate systems for Long Island (NAD83 / NAVD88, in feet), so it drops into your team’s GIS. Let me know what format your team works in.

Yes. Repeat flights over the same area, flown the same way each time, can be compared to show where sand was lost or gained. A pre-storm baseline makes that comparison much stronger, so it’s worth flying before storm season

Most beaches, dunes and wetlands on Long Island can be flown with the right authorizations. I handle FAA airspace approvals and landowner or agency permissions, such as county or town park permits, during scoping. Some areas have extra restrictions near airports or sensitive habitats.

Fieldwork for a typical site takes a few hours. Processed data and figures usually follow within one to two weeks, depending on the size of the site and the deliverables. Rush turnaround after storms may be possible; just ask.

Yes. Much of my coastal work supports coastal engineers and environmental consultants, who use the data for monitoring, planning and permit applications under their own professional review.