Before starting a drone inspection, it is essential to check the weather conditions. Unstable flight conditions caused by strong winds, fog, or rain can affect the accuracy of the data collected. Therefore, it is best to conduct drone studies in calm and clear weather. Ground control points (GCPs) are also necessary to guarantee the accuracy of drone mapping. A drone study involves using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to capture aerial data with downward-facing sensors, such as RGB or multispectral cameras and LIDAR loads.
During a drone study with an RGB camera, the ground is photographed multiple times from different angles and each image is labeled with coordinates. Orthomosaic and digital surface models created from aerial images taken by the WingtraOne topographic and cartographic drone are used for reconnaissance. High-resolution orthomosaics and detailed 3D models of areas with low-quality or outdated data can be generated by drones. Before beginning a mission, make sure that the drone's battery and connected devices, such as tablets, are fully charged and that the memory card in the drone's camera has enough empty space to capture the entire project. Photogrammetry is used to start drone mapping; this is the science of gathering physical information from two-dimensional drone images. The operator must ensure that no one approaches the drone during takeoff or landing and that the weather conditions remain optimal for the reconnaissance mission.
Drones with RTK or PPK loads have improved significantly in recent years, but they still represent a significant investment for the user. Additionally, consider the distance to the land sample (GSD) in the survey photographs. In recent years, drones have revolutionized how construction and earthmoving companies analyze and manage their worksites by providing accurate and reliable topographic data. The details of each project should be professionally evaluated by a drone or survey company to determine which configuration works best for each situation. Aerial images taken by drones can greatly accelerate and simplify topographic studies for land management and planning.
