What an eventful week! I began my week by successfully with teaching myself how to calibrate the Mavic Pro drone as well as how to connect it to the DJIGo 4 and Pix4Dcapture apps on my iPhone. I had to first update my phone to IOS 11 which consumed a lengthy amount of time but by the end of the process my phone was at last compatible with the software. I learned the basic functions of flying the drone and familiarized myself with the interface of the apps – I discovered that there is even a beginner mode for new remote aviation pilots. I ensured that I took my time learning the proper rules and functions of the drone to make sure that I was as knowledgeable as I could be before I even attempted to fly the Mavic Pro off the ground for the first time on Monday evening. I began to test out the basic controls of the drone and its intelligent modes which include “Follow Me”, a mode that has the drone fly after its subject at an altitude of 10 feet! I practiced flying in unoccupied, open areas such as the baseball field as well as the Painted Turtle Farm.
I also learned the important of the home and pause buttons on the controller – during rare occasions the drone may loose connection and start flying on a mission that you no longer want it to fly. Always remember your Part 107 piloting rules: It is crucial to always keep the drone in your field of vision to avoid lost or accidents!
Even with the excitement of finally operating the drone for the first time, I made sure to continue to rigorously study for the FAA Remote Pilot Test for at least two hours a night. This was my third week of intensive studying for the test. On Wednesday, Dr.Remy, Hoang, and I drove to Frederick in Maryland where we both passed the test! I am overjoyed to announce that as of June 13th I am now an FAA licensed and certified remote pilot in command! After registering my piloting license on https://iacra.faa.gov, I also requested my physical remote piloting license card which should arrive in the mail shortly.
I am now a certified Remote Pilot in Command!
On Thursday and Friday I was extremely frustrated both with the drone as well as the Pix4Dcapture app: the apps consistently disconnected from the drone and the images from my flight missions were not taken properly nor did they even save to the SD memory card. After an unbelievably long amount of time of searching on the internet as well as invoking the help of Ryan Gonzales (former DTSF fellow from summer of 2017) I learned the following:
- Must fly on “Safe Mode” in Pix4Dcapture app so drone stops at each waypoint to capture image
- “Safe Mode” doesn’t need constant WiFi and connection to app on phone so will keep flying mission and taking photos no matter what – best since my connection falters often
- I was flying on “Fast Mode” which takes photos as the drone flies about the mission and needs constant connection
- Use back black buttons to focus camera – use stop button to stop then continue mission as usual for best quality
- When connection lost to app from controller it’s because wire is loose but doesn’t matter too much after flight taken off because in Safe Mode will take photos regardless – side wire that connects to phone a bit rusty and loose – readjusting wire and blowing into connection port helps
- More overlap percentage in Pix4D app means more pictures taken at closer distances
- ADVICE FROM RYAN: -PEN BOTH PIX4D AND DJI GO 4 APP, use PIXE 4D TO FLIGHT AND PLAN FLIGHT PATTERNS THEN SWITCH OVER TO DJI GO TO VIEW PHOTOS AND TO MONITOR FLIGHT, CHANCE FOCUS, PAUSE AS NEEDED – now the photos are in the SD card!
This week was unbelievably a journey and although I had many setbacks, I also had a great deal of accomplishments as well! I can not believe the mass amount of information I have learned in simply a week through self-taught lessons, experience, and the kind advice of others. I even attended a library workshop and learned how to use HTML and CSS code to create a website, upload it to the Gettysburg public drive, as well as how to legally incorporate images and videos of the proper copyright license in my work.
My next steps are to take aerial photos of the following locations and to transfer the photos to Pix4D to create photogrammetric models of the campus and terrain:
1) Stine Lake
2) East/West first-year quad s
3) Gettysburg orchard (?)
4) Quarry Pond
Aerial view of Jaegar Fitness Center using 2D images taken with Mavic Pro drone
Pix4Dcapture app used to plan flight missions; can control area, direction, altitude, speed, and more!
