Coastal erosion does more than just reshape our shorelines – it threatens entire communities, ecosystems, and the very land we live on. In fact, more than 80,000 acres of coastal wetlands are lost to erosion each year. That’s the equivalent of seven football fields disappearing every single hour of every single day.

Due to rising sea levels and more frequent storms and flooding, the need to monitor and manage coastal erosion has never been more urgent.

Keep reading to learn how helicopters are transforming the way researchers are assessing coastal erosion and fighting the climate crisis. You’ll learn why aerial surveys are faster, safer, and more accurate than ground-based methods and how advanced technologies like LiDAR and photogrammetry are helping climate change activists protect our coastlines for future generations.

The Devastating Effects of Coastal Erosion

Coastal erosion is a process by which waves, currents, winds, storms, and rising sea levels gradually wear away the land along the shore. Over time, this erosion can dramatically alter coastlines and put entire communities at risk.

Coastal erosion happens for a number of reasons:

• Waves and Storm Surges: The constant pounding of waves can create gradual erosion, while a single storm, hurricane, or tsunami can cause rapid shoreline loss.
  
  
• Rising Sea Levels: Rising oceans enable waves to reach farther inland, eroding areas that were previously stable.
  
  
• Human Activity: Coastal construction and development, foot traffic and off-road vehicles on beaches, boat wakes, sand mining, deforestation, dams, dredging, and seawall construction can all interfere with natural processes and exacerbate coastal erosion.

Why Coastal Erosion Monitoring Is Essential for the Future

So, why is coastal erosion monitoring so crucial? The loss of our shorelines puts communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems at risk. 

It can lead to:

• Property flooding
• Damaged roads and utilities
• Threats to public safety
• Habitat loss

Coastal erosion currently affects 40% of coasts in the United States, threatening the lives and property of 13 million Americans who live in low-lying coastal zones. Monitoring helps researchers assess risk, implement prevention strategies, and plan for the future – before it’s too late.

How Helicopters Help Monitor and Solve Coastal Erosion

Helicopter-based aerial surveys offer a quick and efficient way to gather data on changing coastlines. Unlike fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters are capable of hovering so researchers and their advanced technology can capture the data they need. And unlike drones, helicopters can carry entire research teams and a wide range of heavy equipment in a single flight.

Technologies used to conduct helicopter surveys and coastline assessments include:

Aerial Photography

Helicopters carrying photographers or outfitted with cameras can fly over coastlines at varying altitudes, hover in place when needed, and maneuver around obstacles to capture footage of coastal erosion from unique vantage points. Aerial photography is especially useful for surface-level visuals and vegetation analysis.

Photogrammetry

Photogrammetry is a process by which 2D aerial photographs are converted into 3D models of objects or scenes. Essentially, a helicopter equipped with a camera will fly over a preplanned route while the camera takes hundreds (or even thousands) of still photographs of the coastline. Then, specialized software will process and analyze these overlapping images taken from multiple angles to create accurate reconstructions.

LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging)

LiDAR technology is one of the most accurate and precise solutions for creating detailed maps of the coastlines below. Here’s how it works: a LiDAR device mounted on a helicopter emits laser pulses and measures how long it takes for the light to bounce back after hitting an object. The laser pulses capture data about the shape and structure of the surrounding terrain. These measurements are then processed to create incredibly accurate, high-resolution 3D maps of coastal topography for scientists to further analyze.

These tools allow researchers to map coastal features, estimate sediment loss, and predict future changes – all from a helicopter without disrupting the fragile landscapes below.

Benefits of Aerial Surveys Over Traditional Monitoring Methods

Coastal erosion monitoring has come a long way from researchers walking along cliffsides with clipboards in hand. Today, helicopters play a major role in helping scientists, government agencies, and research institutions understand how our shorelines are changing so they can implement strategies and policies for change.

Here are seven key advantages of using helicopter-based aerial surveys over traditional ground-based methods:

Boosted Safety

Walking along eroding cliffs or unstable beachfronts prone to landslides can put survey crews at serious risk. Helicopters are capable of flying over potentially dangerous areas so people don’t have to be physically present. Aerial surveys enable survey teams to gather the data they need without putting themselves in harm’s way.

Enhanced Efficiency

Not only is walking atop sharp cliffs and wading into oceans dangerous, but it’s also time-consuming and labor-intensive. While a ground crew might spend an entire day mapping out a single stretch of beach, helicopters can fly over miles of coastline at a fraction of the time. They’re capable of capturing detailed, high-resolution imagery in a single pass, which is especially useful when capturing large-scale erosion issues.

Improved Data Quality

Helicopter surveys capture more than just images. They gather data that advanced technology systems can use to generate 3D models, track topography and elevation changes, and measure shoreline erosion over time. This improved data quality provides a clearer, more accurate picture of the erosion happening and the pace at which it is occurring. 

Repeatable Data Capturing

One of the biggest benefits of helicopter-based monitoring is consistency. Repeat flights at specific intervals (monthly, seasonally, or after significant storm events) can reveal subtle changes in sediment movement, cliff faces, and vegetation loss over time. This kind of repeatability makes it easy to detect long-term erosion trends that inform strategies for coastal defense projects, zoning regulations, and disaster response.

Increased Access to Remote or Hazardous Areas

Some parts of the coastline – like jagged cliffs or barrier islands without road access – are difficult or too hazardous to reach by foot, truck, or ATV. Helicopters can easily access these areas, maneuvering around obstacles and hovering when necessary. They can carry more equipment than drones and fly for longer periods, making them the ideal solution for surveying large or isolated stretches of coastline. 

Quicker Response Times After Impactful Events

After significant events like floods, storm surges, or hurricanes, roads are often flooded or unsafe for ground vehicles. Helicopters are capable of deploying quickly to disaster zones to capture crucial post-event data. The ability of rotorcraft to respond rapidly is key to assessing and addressing damage and making emergency decisions based on up-to-the-minute data. 

Reduced Environmental Impact

Unfortunately, ground vehicles and heavy equipment often end up disturbing the very coastlines they set out to protect. Because helicopters don’t require ground-based survey equipment, they allow researchers to preserve fragile shorelines and wetland habitats while still providing the data they need to manage them effectively.

Operational Considerations for Helicopter Surveys

Aerial surveys via helicopter are a powerful tool for understanding and fighting climate change, but understanding the strengths and limitations of helicopter-based assessments is key to getting the most value for your budget.

• Cost Efficiency: Drone surveys may be more economical for small, easily accessible beaches. But for vast, rugged, or remote areas, helicopters offer more expansive and efficient coverage. Helicopters can also be equipped with multiple cameras and sensors to capture comprehensive data in a single flight.
  
  
• Data Resolution: Helicopter surveys typically provide sufficient resolution for coastal monitoring purposes, including large-scale volumetric and topographical analysis. But for small, localized areas – like a single sand dune – a drone may provide higher resolution.
  
  
• Flight Planning and Safety: Helicopter crews must fly low and follow precise preplanned paths, which requires advanced planning, trained and experienced pilots, meticulous safety procedures, and decent weather conditions.

Why Choose Helicopter Express for Coastal Erosion Monitoring

At Helicopter Express, we understand that coastal erosion monitoring requires accuracy, flexibility, and data capturing methods that don’t cause further environmental harm. Our fleet of high-performance helicopters and team of experienced pilots are well equipped to support survey operations across the United States and beyond. 

What makes us a smart choice for government agencies, research institutions, coastal engineers, biologists, and oceanographers seeking to prevent further erosion of the world’s coastlines?

• Deep Expertise: Our team has been in the helicopter industry for over three decades. We’ve supported a wide range of scientific and environmental research projects, including marine biology surveys, marine conservation, and more.
  
  
• Elite Crew and Fleet: Our pilots are highly skilled in flying precise survey routes at low altitudes, even in difficult terrain or immediately following severe weather events. Our meticulously maintained helicopter fleet can handle a wide range of maritime missions.
  
  
• Custom Project Planning: We collaborate closely with each client to develop a customized survey approach that fits their goals, timeline, and budget.
  
  
• Quick Deployment: We understand that coastal conditions can change quickly – especially after a significant weather event. Once we have a contract in place, we can be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice to provide the support you need to fight climate change and save our coastlines. 

Whether you’re planning a coastal erosion survey, tracking trends over time, or assessing post-storm damage, Helicopter Express has the experience, equipment, and team to help you gather the data you need. Contact us today to discuss your project and get a quote.