Project Objective
To create a portfolio of missions showcasing my skills and knowledge in operating a drone to capture data using photogrammetry. The intent is to demonstrate how this data capture is integrated into a reality capture workflow that includes creating orthomosaic maps, digital surface models (DSMs), digital terrain models (DTMs), point clouds (sparse and dense), and textured meshes.
Furthermore, I need to demonstrate how this information can be used for business intelligence in the context of construction, design, architecture, or land use.
Training Flights
This portfolio project will consist of 4 separate sites, each with 3-4 missions. The purpose of each mission is to test specific skills, variables, and/or settings applicable to that site.
Overall learning framework
Capture variables
- Altitude
- Overlap
- Camera Angle
- Flight Pattern
- Lighting
- Environmental Conditions
- Repeatability
Processing outcomes
- Alignment Quality
- Orthomosaic Distortion
- Point Cloud Density
- Mesh Completeness
- Façade Quality
- Vegetation Noise
- Edge Warping
- Reconstruction Confidence
QA thinking
- Checkpoint Comparisons
- Repeatability
- Visible Artifacts
- Error Explanation
- Corrective Action
Sites
Mission 1A: Baseline | Nadir | 120’ Altitude | Longitudinal Lawnmower Grid
Mission 1B: Nadir | 200’ Altitude | Longitudinal Lawnmower Grid
Mission 1C: Nadir | 120’ Altitude | 90º Crosshatch Grid
Site 2 — Structure & Surrounding Area (Encinitas Community Park Bathrooms)
Mission 2A: Nadir | 120’ Altitude | Lawnmower Grid
Mission 2B: Nadir | 120’ Altitude | 90º Crosshatch Grid
Mission 2C: Nadir | 120’ Altitude | 90º Crosshatch Grid + Low/High Obliques
Site 3 — Park / Terrain / Vegetation (Indian Head Canyon Open Space)
Flight 3A: 150’ Altitude Nadir | Lawnmower Grid
Flight 3B: 150’ Altitude Nadir | 90º Crosshatch Grid
Flight 3C: Follow Terrain | 120’ Altitude
Tools
Hardware
- DJI Mini 4 Pro w/ native 24 mm lens, DJI RC2 Controller
- No RTK or Ground Control Points Used
- Coordinate Reference System: WGS84
Photogrammetry Processing
- WebODM
Mission Planning & Flight Log tracking
- DJI Fly
- Air Data UAV
- Fight Radar 24
Operational Safety Assessment
Risk Evaluation
Hazard | Mitigation |
Airspace and TFRs | Confirmed TFRs and airspace restrictions prior to the mission using AirData UAV. Monitoring nearby or incoming manned aircraft during the mission with FlightRadar24 |
Pedestrians & Vehicle traffic | Selected a launch area away from pedestrian and vehicle traffic while maintaining VLOS and situational awareness throughout the mission. Maintained a 100’ buffer from the adjacent freeway. |
Trees & Light Poles | Planned waypoint spacing during mission planning to maintain safe horizontal and vertical obstacle clearance. Verified obstacle clearance prior to the mission flight. |
Weather | Weather monitored within 30 minutes prior to and during the mission |
Birds | Maintained situational awareness with VLOS and prepared an emergency avoidance and landing procedure to evade birds and terminate the flight if necessary. |
Operational Readiness
- Conduct aircraft inspection
- Battery health verified
- GNSS lock established
- Weather evaluated
- Home point confirmed
- Return-to-Home altitude verified
- Emergency landing area identified
- Conduct Hover Control Test prior to flight
- Visual Line of Sight(VLOS) maintained throughout operation
Lessons Learned from Project
- Mission Planning
- Mission & Waypoint Creation
- Pre-flight Operational and Safety Check
- On-site situational awareness (Safety)
- Contingency plan (People traffic, birds, curious inquirers)
- Organizational skills (Flight log data, imagery, mission requirements, model reconstruction, reporting)
- Data translation
- Anticipation of necessary outputs when planning and obtaining imagery
- Memory settings needed to build reconstruction outputs
- Relative and absolute accuracy