The class ventured to Grow Food Northampton for our first mapping mission last week, fully experiencing “if you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” In order to execute successful drone missions, we consult a checklist that is regularly updated. We asked the class to reflect on their first mission and develop their own checklists based on these questions:
- What is a checklist item that you found to be particular important based on your experience at Grow Food Northampton? Please explain in 2-3 sentences.
- What is an item missing from your checklist that would be important to include and why?
- What is a checklist item that is not on the Spatial Analysis Lab’s checklist, and why should we include it in future missions?
All the submissions demonstrated careful research and considerations; the students emphasized and added these checklist items:
- Preparation:
- Towel or paper towel
- Spare drone
- Pen and notebook
- Verify any software/firmware updates
- Prior to take-off:
- Keep other equipment away from launch point
- Check the weather regularly
- Format SD card
- Clean camera lens
- Audibly declare “Arming”
- If indoors, check GPS/sensors that may interfere with flight
- After landing:
- If uneven landing, do equipment check
- Dry/clean off drone with towel
Spatial Analysis Lab Mission Checklist Before & Updated Version