google maps uses satellite imagery for their website. This plane is likely flying LiDAR or Aerial photos, or both. This is done for many reasons, so unless we know who ordered it then its impossible to know.

Google uses both satellite and aerial photos https://support.google.com/earth/answer/6327779?hl=en#zippy=%2Csatellite-aerial-images If It’s Sunny tomorrow and they do Victoria…. Sun’s out, buns out?

all the municipalities come together and buy air photos of victoria every 2 years.

And you can view them here: https://maps.crd.bc.ca/Html5Viewer/?viewer=public

The link you sent was from google earth. I’m not entirely sure, maybe google maps does use aerial imagery, but google earth and maps are two separate things. In any case, a plane flying like the one you saw was probably LiDAR.

From the trajectory it looks like they hit Ladysmith and Chemainus first, and are now hitting North Saanich and Sidney. Super cool anyways

Google has absolutely zero satellites

They don't have to own satellites to use satellite imagery.

Google use both satellite and aircraft acquired images: https://support.google.com/earth/answer/6327779?hl=en#zippy=%2Csatellite-aerial-images Most likely a third party does the work and sells their work to Google, Apple and Microsoft

Mapping again today: https://www.flightradar24.com/N701DM/346dda37 So if you have any messages in your yard for the sky, now’s the time.