Resources

To insure safe flight status 'knock on wood', we have gathered resource recommended by FAA and by responsible pilots in the industry. The Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) use these tools when planning every mission.

General Interest in flying unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)

Click on the logo to get direct access to what responsible drone pilots must follow and pay attention too.

FAADroneZone

A simple way to maintain drone registration and waivers. Login required!

FAA UAS Data on a Map

FAA has compiled controlled airspace by airport classifications and quads identifying maximum altitude of the drone mission.

LAANC

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) participants; listed airports.

Planning your mission

Flight planning web and app-based software for LAANC instant authorization from participating airports, highly recommended. Login required!

Better Briefings, Safer Flights

Pilots for manned and unmanned aircraft flight preparations. This information is accessible to Air Traffic Control (ATC).

3Dsurvey - Photogrammetry software

We have found this asset to be a great tool in our workflow. It offers surface data reporting and classification point cloud filtering for ground points.

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Pix4D Mapper

We have this software in our arsenal due to great output options that support CAD and GIS although point classification and editing the point cloud is very cumbersome.

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Pix4D Capture App (IOS version)

So far, this is our favorite app to use in the field with the capability to create and safe projects prior to visiting the site. I am still hopeful to have a desktop version popup.

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On-demand Drone Liability Insurance

Underwritten by Global Aerospace to provide clients with the liability insurance and confidence that they are protected.

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Lessons Learned

For those pilots working with DJI and Pix4D Capture app, we listed a few things that hindered planned flights or acquired imagery.

Gusty Wind

If the aircraft speed is set to low for autonomous missions, then a stall may occur. Speed up the aircraft setting found in the app. The downside is battery consumption so have plenty of spares on you.

Wet and Dry surfaces

Don't acquire imagery of wet surface such as an asphalt road drying after a rain shower. This will create a noisy point cloud and difficult to clean.

Wildlife

No issues with cats! yet!?
Birds are a different story. Don't take a risk with a curious vulture or hawk. I recommend fly a section of your project while they disperse.

Fastmode vs Safemode

Pix4D Capture has this setting. If you're flying a large site with multiple battery changes, Fastmode tends to forget taking pictures and can make other pictures blury. Safemode uploads photo waypoints to prevent missing pictures. The aircraft will stop when taking each picture to prevent blur.

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Resources

General Interest in flying unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)

FAADroneZone

FAA UAS Data on a Map

LAANC

Planning your mission

Better Briefings, Safer Flights

Templates

In browser you will see buttons when hover on cards

PDI Risk Matrix

Ground sampling distance (GSD)

3Dsurvey - Photogrammetry software

Pix4D Mapper

Pix4D Capture App (IOS version)

On-demand Drone Liability Insurance

Lessons Learned

For those pilots working with DJI and Pix4D Capture app, we listed a few things that hindered planned flights or acquired imagery.

Gusty Wind

Wet and Dry surfaces

Wildlife

Fastmode vs Safemode