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Flight Planning Mission

1. Define the Purpose

Decide why you're doing the mission:

  • Mapping land use?

  • Creating a 3D model?

  • Surveying a building or farmland?

2. Choose the Area of Interest (AOI)

Mark the exact area you want to cover on a map:

  • Set boundaries (length & width)

  • Use coordinates (lat/long)

3. Select the Camera and Drone

Pick the right tools:

  • Camera type (sensor size, resolution)

  • Drone (range, stability, battery life)

4. Set Flight Parameters

Plan how the drone should fly:

  • Altitude (height) – affects image size and detail

  • Overlap:

    • Forward overlap (between photos in the same line) – usually 60-80%

    • Side overlap (between photo rows) – usually 30-60%

  • Speed – slow enough for clear photos

5. Calculate Flight Lines

Create the path the drone will fly:

  • Straight lines to cover the whole area

  • Make sure the overlap is correct

  • Consider wind and obstacles

6. Plan Ground Control Points (GCPs)

Mark known ground points to improve accuracy:

  • Use GPS to record GCPs on the ground

  • Needed for precise mapping and 3D models

 Fly the Mission

  • Launch the drone

  • Monitor the flight

  • Collect photos automatically

Post-Processing

  • Use photogrammetry software (e.g., Agisoft Metashape, Pix4D)

  • Create:

    • Orthophoto maps

    • 3D models

    • DEMs (Digital Elevation Models)

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