Before You Go to the Site
Drone Review
Take a full inventory of your equipment. Check your drone mechanically and ensure all sensors are calibrated.
Do you have the proper PPE? Are your SD cards cleared? Do you see any corrosion on the contact tips of the SD card? Formatting your SD cards in the drone you intend to use is the best method for capturing clean data.
Mission Review
- Site boundary — zoom in on the map to understand the shape and size of the coverage area
- Requirements — note the required GSD, overlap percentages, altitude, and sensor type
- Airspace — toggle Show Airspace Restrictions on the mission map. If the site is in controlled airspace (Class B/C/D/E), you’ll need LAANC authorization before flying
- Site notes — read any ops notes about access, contacts, or special conditions. If noted, ensure you reach out to on-site representatives and make them aware of your mission
- Weather — the mission page shows live weather at the site. Check wind speed, cloud cover, and solar irradiance (if relevant)
Flight Planning Software
Use automated mapping software to plan your grid. Common options: DJI Pilot 2, DJI Fly, Litchi, DroneDeploy. Draw your coverage polygon to match the site boundary shown on the Raad mission map.
SD Card
- Minimum: UHS-I U3 / V30
- Recommended: UHS-II V60 or V90
- Capacity: 64 GB minimum, 128 GB+ for large sites
- Format in-camera before each mission, not on your computer