Field survey provides data for further research and is a key link in research on traditional settlements and other architectural heritage. However, due to the complexity of the landform, layout, orientation of buildings, forms and structures of traditional settlements, mapping and other fieldwork may take much time and efforts and are very difficult. Besides, satellite remote sensing data are few. Therefore it is necessary to introduce some advanced equipment and technology for spatial information acquisition. Through years of experiments with aerial and ground-based equipments, the author finds that small unmanned helicopter, with its multi-functional spatial information acquisition capacity, is the best choice for the research of traditional settlements and other related fields.
