How it works
We work with you to define your flight area and determine your needs. Your flight area is defined in our software by the white polygon.
The resolution of your imagery is determined by the quality of the camera and the altitude of the flight. Two standard flight plans are available.
Model plan
A model plan generates “oblique” imagery. In this flight configuration, the camera is angled in order to better capture the sides of structures. The flight path is a crosshatch pattern which essentially adds another lawnmower pattern to the plan. This imagery is used to generate high quality 3D models of the area.
Model plans can be flown independently, however, without a map plan, 2D measurements may not be as accurate. If you’re managing a construction project, both plans at regular intervals are ideal.
Map plan
A map plan generates “nadir” imagery, that is, pictures with the camera pointed straight at the ground. The flight path of the drone is back and forth, long ways, across the site. We call this a lawnmower pattern. This type of imagery will generate effective 2D orthomosaic images and reasonably accurate measurements. It typically does not generate high quality 3D models. This type of flight plan is ideal for landforms and can be used to generate engineering data prior to construction.
In the field
On-site, the pilot will set up and launch the drone. The drone will fly the automated plans and take hundreds of pictures. Once the flight is complete, the pilot will take the pictures and upload them into our software provider for processing. Processing normally takes several hours and there is no charge for processing. Once processing is complete, a link will be generated and sent to you so that you can view the data from your flight. Flight data can also be exported for storage on your local systems, or for use in your engineering software at no additional charge.
See our “Data & Measurements” page for more information on exports.