Flight Planning

Center for Geospatial Analytics at North Carolina State University

Justyna Jeziorska, Helena Mitasova & Corey White

Objectives

Throughout the whole process, it is important to remember:

Define the area and resolution based on:
- UAS and sensor capabilities
- Spatial extent of the mapping area
- Terrain constraints
- Project requirements

Evaluate the legal constraints, obtain permission
Defining the coordinate system:
- Dependent on the desired coordinate system of the final data
- Consistent with the coordinate system of GCP survey

Before measuring the GCPs coordinates, the following items must be defined:

Factors for defining GCP accuracy:

Accuracy needed for the final results
Ground Sampling Distance* of the images:
- GCP target size: 5-10 x
- GCP accuracy: at least 0.1 GSD

Distance between two consecutive pixel centers measured on the ground

Distance between two consecutive pixel centers measured on the ground:

The formula to calculate GSD is:

\[ \text{GSD} = \frac{\text{A} \times \text{S}}{\text{F} \times \text{D}} \]

Where:

Bigger GSD = lower spatial resolution
Smaller GSD = higher spatial resolution

Terrain check – high obstacles in the take-off, mission, landing, and alternative landing locations
Ask the locals about possible air traffic or ground activities
Weather check
- Temperature affects battery life
- Most of the UAS can’t operate in rain
Use checklists, don’t rely on your memory!
- Sample checklists: paper (for Phantom) and RMUS app

Preflight inspection is required under Part 107.49;

Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) is required to develop a preflight inspection checklist if the manufacturer has not developed one.

The checklist is usually integrated into the UAS flight software or can be obtained from the UAS vendor
In case that is not available, a standard Flight Checklist should be made and followed by the flight crew

Note: As of Dec. 1, 2024, North Carolina no longer require commercial and government drone operators to obtain an N.C. permit

The UAS RPIC should launch, operate, and recover from preset locations so that the aircraft will fly according to the mission plan.
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) - the flight crew should have a clear view of the aircraft at all times, called .
Observation locations should be selected for the maximum line of sight throughout the planned flight operations area (Part 107.31).

RP (Remote Pilot), PMC (Person Manipulating the Flight Controls), and VO (Visual Observer) (if used)
- must be able to maintain effective communication with each other at all times (Part 107.33).
Upon any failure during the flight or any loss of visual contact with the UAS, the RPIC should command the aircraft back to the recovery location or utilize the built-in fail-safe features to recover the aircraft.