How do you safely map and survey with drones?

1 Choose your drone and camera

The first step is to select the best drone and camera for your mapping and surveying project. Depending on your budget, objectives, and accuracy requirements, you can choose from different types of drones, such as fixed-wing, multi-rotor, or hybrid. You also need to consider the camera specifications, such as resolution, focal length, sensor size, and shutter type. The camera should be able to capture high-quality images with minimal distortion and noise.

2 Plan your flight

The second step is to plan your flight in advance, taking into account the weather, terrain, airspace, and safety factors. You can use a flight planning software or app to design your flight path, waypoints, altitude, speed, and overlap. You should also check the drone's battery life, payload capacity, and communication range. Before you fly, you should conduct a pre-flight inspection, test the drone's functions, and calibrate the compass and GPS.

3 Fly your drone

The third step is to fly your drone according to your flight plan, while monitoring the drone's status, position, and surroundings. You should follow the local rules and regulations for drone operations, such as obtaining permissions, avoiding restricted areas, and maintaining visual line of sight. You should also be prepared for any emergencies, such as bad weather, interference, or malfunction. If possible, have a backup drone and a co-pilot to assist you.

4 Collect your data

The fourth step is to collect your data from the drone's camera and memory card. You should make sure that the images are clear, sharp, and well-exposed, and that they cover the entire area of interest with sufficient overlap. You should also check the geotags and metadata of the images, such as date, time, location, and orientation. You can use a software or app to transfer the data to your computer or cloud storage.

5 Process your data

The fifth step is to process your data using a photogrammetry software or service. Photogrammetry is the technique of creating 3D models from 2D images by measuring the distances and angles between common points. You can use a software or service to stitch the images together, align them, and generate a point cloud, a mesh, or a orthomosaic. You can also apply filters, corrections, and enhancements to improve the quality and accuracy of the output.

6 Analyze your data

The sixth and final step is to analyze your data using a GIS (geographic information system) software or tool. GIS is a system that allows you to store, manipulate, and visualize spatial data on a map. You can use a GIS software or tool to measure distances, areas, volumes, and slopes, to identify features and patterns, and to create reports and maps. You can also compare your data with previous or existing data to monitor changes and trends.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?