What drone services does CAV Aerial offer?

CAV Aerial provides drone roof inspections, thermal imaging, 3D models, and campaign video production. All flights are insured and GVC-certified.

Who are your typical clients?

We work with architects, conservation officers, builders, councils, heritage trusts, church wardens, and private homeowners across the UK.

Are your services suitable for churches and listed buildings?

Yes, we specialise in drone documentation for sensitive sites, including listed buildings and churches. We're registered with the National Churches Trust network.

Digitally Preserving Christian Heritage with Drone Surveys and 3D Modelling

29 Aug

Written By Constantine Callaghan

In Armenia, near the border with Turkey, the ruins of the Yererouk Basilica are being given new life through drone surveys, laser scanning, and 3D digital modelling. Featured recently on the BBC’s Heart and Soul, the project shows how advanced technology can protect vulnerable heritage buildings and create accurate digital archives for future generations.

How drones are protecting endangered heritage

At the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies in Yerevan, young engineers are scanning historic churches using drones and 3D imaging tools. Every stone and column is being captured in high resolution. When the data is combined, it creates a full-colour, three-dimensional model of the basilica.

This matters because Armenia has lost access to dozens of important religious sites in Nagorno-Karabakh, many of which have since been damaged or destroyed. By using drone surveys and 3D technology, communities can ensure their Christian heritage is digitally preserved, even when the original structures are under threat.

Why digital preservation matters

Digital preservation of churches and historic buildings goes far beyond photography. Using drones for church roof surveys, thermal imaging, and 3D photogrammetry, heritage teams can:

Document fragile sites in precise detail before further damage occurs
Support conservation planning with accurate aerial surveys and condition reports
Detect hidden issues such as water ingress or heat loss using thermal drone inspections
Engage the public with interactive 3D models and virtual access to heritage buildings
Create funding evidence for grant applications and restoration projects

In short, drone technology is helping to protect cultural heritage from being lost forever.

CAV Aerial’s role in heritage drone surveys

At CAV Aerial, we apply the same techniques here in the UK to protect churches, listed buildings, and historic estates. Our services include:

Drone roof inspections for churches and heritage sites
3D photogrammetry models to digitally preserve building condition
Thermal drone surveys to identify hidden defects and water damage
Safe, non-intrusive aerial access to hard-to-reach roofs and elevations

Whether working with conservation architects, local councils, or heritage trusts, we deliver high-resolution drone surveys and 3D heritage documentation that support restoration projects, funding bids, and long-term conservation strategies.

Protecting history with technology

The Armenia project highlights what’s possible when drone technology and heritage preservation work hand in hand. Whether in Armenia or the UK, the goal is the same: to digitally safeguard historic churches and heritage buildings so they can be studied, shared, and preserved for future generations.

Listen to the BBC’s programme here: Digitally Preserving Armenia’s Christian Heritage

Constantine Callaghan