Abstract This study evaluated magnetic surveys using small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) for the mapping of small diameter, buried pipelines, particularly flowlines. The study found that 2-inch diameter, steel pipelines buried 3-ft. deep can be confidently mapped by a total field, atomic magnetometer flown at 8 m above ground level, the maximum sensor altitude tested. The study also suggested that spiral flightplans might be preferred over bidirectional, parallel line surveys (serpentine surveys) because of the increased likelihood that the magnetic sensor will cross pipelines at or near 90° angles, the preferred orientation to obtain narrow, but intense pipeline magnetic signatures.