How to optimize drone flight planning for mapping and surveying
Flying a drone for mapping or surveying might seem as simple as sending it up and hitting record, but the truth is, great results come from what happens before take-off. Good flight planning is where accuracy, efficiency, and safety really start. With the right plan, you’ll save time in the field, capture cleaner data, and make the most of every battery.
In this article, we will explore how to plan drone missions, execute the mission, process the data, and finally, collaborate with team members to assess the data and set proper actions. While we’re at it, we’ll provide tips and best practices for streamlining this entire operation with the help of dedicated collaborative geospatial software (like Birdi!).
Drone flight planning for professional aerial mapping
Define the drone mapping area
Before planning the drone flight, it’s important to define the area to be mapped or surveyed. This will help you determine the necessary flight altitude, the number of images to be captured, and the amount of time needed to complete the mission. You don’t want to run out of battery!
Determine the required level of detail
The level of detail required will depend on the specific application. For example, if you’re mapping a construction site, you may need a higher level of detail than if you’re surveying agricultural land. The required level of detail will also determine the drone's flight altitude and the drone camera settings.
Choose the right drone and camera
It’s important to choose a drone and camera that are suitable for the application. Consider the drone's flight time, range, and payload capacity, as well as the camera's resolution and image quality.
You can dive into what drones are best for your business here
Select the appropriate flight pattern
There are several flight patterns to choose from, including grid, circular, and corridor. The flight pattern will depend on the shape and size of the area to be mapped, as well as the required level of detail.
Plan for safety and compliance
Safety should always be a top priority when planning drone flights. Be sure to check for any airspace restrictions or regulations, and plan for emergency procedures in case of unexpected events.
In Australia, drone operators must follow the rules and regulations set by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). Some of the key airspace restrictions and regulations for drones in Australia are:
Drone registration: All drones weighing more than 250 grams must be registered with CASA.
Fly within visual line of sight: Drone operators must always maintain visual contact with their drone and fly within visual line of sight.
Restricted airspace: Drones are not allowed to fly in restricted airspace, including around airports, helipads, and military bases.
Altitude restrictions: Drones must not be flown higher than 120 meters (400 feet) above ground level.
Avoid emergency situations: Drones must not be flown in emergency situations or near emergency response activities.
No-fly zones: Some areas are designated as no-fly zones, such as national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
Respect privacy: Drone operators must respect the privacy of others and not use their drone for surveillance or photography without their consent.
Start and fly
Start the mission! Believe it or not, you do not need to manually fly the drone according to your preferred flight plan.
There are several software packages available that can help drone operators plan and execute flights in a predefined pattern for image capture. These software packages can simplify the flight planning process, reduce the risk of human error, and ensure accurate and consistent data collection. Here are some ways that software can help drones fly in a predefined pattern for image capture.
- Flight planning: Using the drone’s native software, or 3rd party platforms, operators can input the area to be mapped or surveyed, define the flight path, and specify the altitude, overlap, and camera settings.
- Automated flight control: Once the flight plan is created, the software can take over and control the drone's flight path, ensuring that the drone follows the predefined pattern for image capture.
- Real-time monitoring: During the flight, the software can provide real-time monitoring of the drone's location, altitude, and battery life, as well as the quality of the images being captured.
- Automated image capture: The software can also automate the image capture process, triggering the drone's camera to take photos at the specified intervals and overlap.
- Prepare images for processing: Now you've captured the images, you need to upload the data into an aerial intelligence platform like Birdi for insights. You can create the mission, set the KML or the location of the mission, then upload the images into the mission.
Data processing
Once the drone flight is complete, the data will need to be processed to create the final map or survey. Be sure to plan for data storage and processing requirements, and choose a software package that is suitable for the application.
Collaborate with stakeholders for assessment and action
You’ve planned, flown, and processed your drone survey — now comes the part that really drives impact: working together on what the data means. A map or model on its own doesn’t create change, but collaboration does. When your team and stakeholders can easily review, comment, and make decisions from the same source of truth, you move from data collection to real-world action.
That collaboration looks a little different depending on who you are and what you’re working on. A consultant might be reporting to a client, an operations manager could be coordinating maintenance crews, while a pilot may be sharing outputs for compliance. Whether it’s construction, mining, utilities, or government, the power comes from aligning around the same insights.
That’s why Birdi makes collaboration simple:
- Commenting directly on maps and outputs so conversations stay linked to the data.
- Permission-based roles that let you control access across Admins, Pilots, and Guests.
- Real-time map collaboration where you can see teammates’ cursors and annotations as they happen.
- Easy map sharing with team members, guests and visitors.
Because in the end, great drone surveys aren’t just about the capture. They’re about helping people work together to make smarter, faster decisions.
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