Drone Services for Data Center Projects in Finland

Why international data center teams work with SK Drones

• Licensed since 2018. We operate under a Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency) specific category authorization, and were the first company in Finland to receive a specific category permit based on the SORA 2.5 methodology.
• We fly over active sites without stopping work. Our specific category authorization allows flights over an active construction site without halting work or requiring extra site inductions for the crews below.
• Nationwide coverage. Pilots based in Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä and Oulu – we reach data center sites from the capital region to Northern Finland, and within the EU when needed.
• Data your engineers can use directly. Deliverables in standard formats and Finnish national coordinate systems, ready for CAD, BIM and GIS workflows.
• English-speaking project contact. Quotes, flight planning, reporting and invoicing in English.

Drone data across the data center lifecycle

1. Site selection and pre-construction survey

Topographic drone survey of the plot and its surroundings: high-resolution orthophoto, digital terrain and surface models (DTM/DSM) and a georeferenced point cloud as the baseline for site planning, grid connection and cooling infrastructure design.

2. Earthworks and volume calculations

Repeated surveys during excavation and filling give reliable cut-and-fill volumes and stockpile measurements – fast, without putting surveyors on uneven ground.

3. Construction progress monitoring

Scheduled flights (for example weekly or bi-weekly) document the whole site from the same flight paths every time. Orthophotos, 3D models and photo sets can be compared over time and shared with owners, EPC contractors and investors through an online viewer – no software installation required.

4. As-built documentation and inspections

As-built 3D models and point clouds of buildings, roofs and yard areas, plus thermal inspections of roofs, facades and technical installations to detect moisture, insulation defects and overheating components.

5. Automated monitoring and site surveillance

For large or long-running sites we offer automated drone-in-a-box (dock) solutions: scheduled flights without a pilot on site, with data uploaded and processed automatically. After construction, the same setup can continue as perimeter and site area surveillance for the operating data center. Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations are planned and permitted case by case under our Traficom authorization. Read more about autonomous drone solutions.

Deliverables

Deliverable	Typical format
Orthophoto	GeoTIFF
Point cloud	LAS / LAZ / E57
Terrain and surface models	DTM / DSM (GeoTIFF)
3D model	OBJ / mesh, online 3D viewer
Thermal data	Radiometric images and inspection report
Progress documentation	Online viewer, photo sets, comparison views

Data is delivered in the Finnish national coordinate systems (ETRS-TM35FIN or ETRS-GKn, N2000 heights) or in the system your project requires.

Safety, insurance and data security

• Latest-generation equipment. We fly current enterprise drones and sensors – high-resolution RGB, radiometric thermal and LiDAR – and update our fleet as the technology develops.
• Fully insured for professional drone operations.
• Confidential by default. Project data is handled within the EU and shared only with people you authorize. We are happy to sign an NDA before the first site visit.
• Documented operations. Every flight follows our Traficom-approved operations manual, risk assessment and emergency response procedures.

Frequently asked questions

Do you work with international project teams?

Yes. Many of our data center clients are international developers, EPC contractors and consultants. All communication, reporting and invoicing can be handled in English.

Where in Finland can you operate?

Everywhere in Finland. With pilots based in Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, Jyväskylä and Oulu, we cover data center sites in Southern, Central and Northern Finland, and can carry out projects elsewhere in the EU when needed.

Do flights interrupt work on the construction site?

No. Our specific category authorization allows us to fly over an active work site without stopping work or requiring additional briefings for the crews on the ground. We coordinate flight times with the site manager.

How often should progress monitoring flights be done?

Most projects use weekly or bi-weekly flights during intensive construction phases and monthly flights otherwise. We agree the schedule with you based on reporting needs and milestones.

Which formats and coordinate systems do you deliver?

Orthophotos as GeoTIFF, point clouds as LAS, LAZ or E57, terrain models as DTM/DSM and 3D models as meshes or through an online viewer – in ETRS-TM35FIN, ETRS-GKn or the coordinate system your project uses.

How is our project data protected?

Project data is handled within the EU, access is limited to people you authorize, and we sign NDAs on request. Please tell us about any specific security requirements of your project when requesting a quote.

Can you fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)?

BVLOS and automated dock operations are planned and permitted case by case under our Traficom authorization, depending on the site and airspace. Contact us early in the project so we can assess the options.

How quickly can you start and deliver?

We provide a free, site-specific quote. Processed data is usually delivered within a few business days after the flight.

Planning a data center project in Finland?

Tell us about your site, schedule and reporting needs – we will propose a flight plan and a fixed quote. Contact Ossi Halkola, Operations Manager, at ossi@skdrones.fi or +358 40 830 6255.

Further reading: Drone Data Across Project Phases · Drone Mapping · Drone laser scanning · Drone Thermal Camera