Airborne geophysical surveying for hydrocarbon and minerals exploration may be conducted using either fixed-wing airplanes or helicopters, on shore or offshore. The choice of aircraft depends largely on project size, location, budget and application. A fixed-wing airplane has a number of advantages over a helicopter, in addition to its lower operating costs. First, it has a payload and cabin space larger than a helicopter and thus can carry more instrumentation. Second, its operating range is generally three or four times greater than that of a helicopter. Surveys can be flown farther from population centres, thereby reducing some of the logistical problems of a helicopter-borne survey.

Airborne systems  consist of a computer, GPS receiver, and instruments. The computer records data collected by the instruments and GPS data into one file. This allows for perfect synchronization of gathered data to GPS location.

Navigation guidance to the pilot is also provided.