Many people in West Brabant have probably already seen it flying: a helicopter with a huge hoop underneath. The striking appearance searches for water and clay layers in the soil of West Brabant. “You should see it as a voyage of discovery underground,” explains project leader Erik Heskes of the province. In the coming weeks, the bottom of the Brabantse Wal will be mapped to a depth of up to 300 meters.
The helicopter flies in straight lines over the landscape at a height of about 80 meters. The round hoop hangs about 40 to 50 meters above the ground. The measurements are carried out using electromagnetic radiation, comparable to that of a mobile phone.
They always fly in straight lines with about 200 meters in between. “We want to know exactly where fresh and salt water is located and how the soil is structured. This way we can better tackle dehydration and salinization and find future drinking water locations,” Erik Heskes explains.
The flights start on the Brabantse Wal near Hoogerheide. The helicopter then flies over the rest of the west, up to Moerdijk, followed by the Land van Altena and the Western Langstraat.
Animals
The low-flying helicopter with the mega hoop can scare animals. “Think of horses or cows in the meadow. That is why residents and farmers are informed in time about the flights. We try to fly as short as possible,” says project leader Heskes.
Consultations have also been held with nature organizations about the best time for the flights. Erik Heskes: “There is some inconvenience, but ultimately this research is also intended to help nature.”
The helicopter previously flew over other parts of the country. The soil research is limited for the time being to the lower parts in the west of the Netherlands. The results can be seen in an interactive 3D model at the end of 2026.
Look at on the map where the helicopter will fly: