Lidar CANEX 2025: Aviation Safety 101 – Aircraft Selection and Job Safety

LidarCANEX 2025 brought together industry professionals and experts to share the latest advancements in LiDAR technology. Held on January 29, 2025, the virtual event featured an exciting lineup of presentations, offering valuable insights into a variety of LiDAR applications.

One notable session was Aerial Survey 101 – Aircraft Selection and Job Safety, delivered by Mark Kalus, President of KASI Aviation. In this presentation, Kalus emphasized the importance of planning and selecting the right aircraft to ensure safety and operational success during aerial LiDAR data collection. The presentation highlighted specific actions that pilots and their team can take to plan for safety, as well as requirements and recommendations for selecting aircraft that meet work objectives.

LidarCANEX is Canada’s premier annual event focused on the latest advancements in Lidar technology. Hosted virtually, the event brings together experts, professionals, and innovators in the geospatial industry to explore new techniques, tools, and trends that are shaping the future of Lidar and geospatial data. From AI-driven mapping to its applications in various industries, LidarCANEX serves as an essential platform for learning, networking, and discovering the cutting-edge of Lidar technology.

Part 1 – Job Safety Analysis

When piloting an aircraft, there are two broad considerations for ensuring safe operations. Firstly, it is important to gather as much information as possible to ensure effective planning and operation of a flight. Necessary information should be gathered through a job safety analysis, which helps to ensure a safe and effective mission. This means that before flying, the pilot and ground team must consider the specifications of the flight such as maximum and minimum elevation, potential landing bases and availability of fuel as well as land characteristics such as topography, artificial structures, presence of birds and location of restricted areas.

In practice, effective planning and risk management come in many forms. Before flying, it is important to devise multiple flight plans. It is important to consider aircraft performance in different conditions – higher temperatures and higher load weights make it more challenging to navigate an aircraft. If a pilot is going to fly through a restricted area, it is crucial to receive a support letter, which identifies the client and allows authorities to accommodate the flight. A pilot must receive proper training and ensure they are conscious of birds and prepared for emergency situations, such as water landings. The ground crew must also be properly trained and informed, as it is their responsibility to monitor the speed and altitude of the aircraft, while minimizing the number of “dead zones” in which the aircraft enters. Technical aspects of aircraft and work equipment should be considered, which includes the size and weight of equipment, power capabilities, structural characteristics of the aircraft and egress (the components of the plane which allow for entry and exit – particularly important during an emergency).

A job safety analysis is a crucial part of any flight.

Part 2 – Aircraft Selection

The second major component of aircraft safety relates to aircraft selection and cabin configuration. When a firm is acquiring an aircraft, they must consider whether a single engine or multi-engine aircraft is required for their work objectives. Single engine aircraft tend to have lower costs, require less maintenance and are easier to fly, but have less range, less electrical output and other operational limitations. Multi-engine aircraft tend to have more power, better performance and better handling in adverse weather, but have more complex maintenance requirements, higher costs and less maneuverability.

When selecting an aircraft, there are different factors which need to be considered. Firstly, what are the operational needs of the aircraft – this includes duration of missions, likelihood of adverse weather, payload requirements and availability of fuel. Secondly, what are the environmental characteristics of the flight area – this includes the remoteness of the flight, weather patterns and duration of flight time over water. Thirdly, whare are the electrical requirements of equipment – single engine aircraft may support limited equipment capacity whereas multi-engine aircraft can support larger and more sophisticated equipment. Finally, what are budgetary constraints – it is important to balance safety with cost and objective goals. This should also include considering the benefits of redundant systems.

It is important to consider the safety concerns of particular aircraft.

Safety Must Come First

When operating an aircraft, safety is a paramount concern. While there are many actions that can be taken to ensure to the safety of an aircraft, they can be broken broadly into two categories – learn as much as possible to help with effective planning and job safety analysis and ensure the selection of aircraft that are appropriate for the environment and the work requirements. While cost is an important consideration, it should never outweigh safety.

LidarCANEX 2026

If you are a Lidar enthusiast or want to learn more, join us for LidarCANEX 2026 and keep an eye on the website: https://lidarcanex.com/.