Data Collection
Autel - Area Mission Planning
A clear, step-by-step guide to planning a mapping mission on the Autel App, so you can capture the best possible data every time you fly. The steps below are the foundation for successful data capture, where settings can flex depending on your specific goals, but the process stays the same.
Planning a 2D Mission
1. Power on your Drone and Remote Controller
Start by powering your controller on, if you like you can also power your drone on as then you won’t have to select the drone type and sensor in the map mission settings
2. Connect the Remote Controller to WiFi or a Mobile Hotspot
Connect your remote controller to a WiFi network or mobile hotspot for seamless mission planning. This connection ensures that base maps load properly, providing essential context for your route planning. To connect, pull down from the top of the screen and tap the WiFi icon.
3. Select “Mission”
Tap Mission to begin outlining the area you’ll be mapping. From here, you can create paths, rectangles, polygons, or oblique missions depending on how you need to cover your area of interest.
4. Select “Polygon”
Under Create Mission, choose Polygon.
5. Zoom to your location
Use the map to find your target site; pan to navigate and pinch with two fingers to zoom in or out until the area is centered and clearly visible.
6. Draw your area of interest (AOI)
Once you have navigated to your AOI, tap the plus button to create a polygon. Edit the shape by adding and moving the anchor points to encompass the whole area.
TIP ~ To avoid warping throughout your AOI, make it larger than intended so warping around the edges occurs outside the most important areas.
7. Lock in your shape
Once you’re happy with your polygon, tap the map icon in the bottom-left corner to confirm it.
8. Set your mission parameters
Work through each setting below to configure your mission. Use the table as your reference for recommended values.
Mission Settings Reference
Setting | Recommendation | Pro Tip |
Altitude (ASL) | Personal preference | Sets your height above sea level. |
Relative Altitude (AGL) | Personal preference | Your height above ground level, relative to your launch point. We recommend 400 ft in forested areas — you can fly lower in urban environments. Always check local airspace rules and regulations for your AOI. |
GSD (Ground Sample Distance) | Auto-populates | The real-world distance one pixel represents in your image. A lower GSD means more detail per image; a higher GSD means less. |
Flight Speed | 11–20 mph | Speed can scale with altitude — the higher you fly, the faster you can go. |
Front Overlap | RGB: 80% / IR: 80% | Sets the forward overlap for your RGB (EO) sensor. For RGB-only missions, use 80%. For IR missions, reference the IR Overlap chart at the bottom of the screen to adjust accordingly. |
Side Overlap | RGB: 70% / IR: 80% | Sets the side overlap for your RGB (EO) sensor. For RGB-only missions, use 70%. For IR missions, reference the IR Overlap chart to adjust accordingly. |
Gimbal Pitch | 90° (Nadir) | At 90°, your field of view is optimized for accurate geo-referencing. |
Last Action | Return to Home | — |
Course Angle | Personal preference | — |
Double Grid | Disabled (Off) | — |
Elevation Optimization | Disabled (Off) | — |
Weather | Based on conditions | Accurate weather settings help your drone’s sensors fine-tune image quality, exposure, and white balance throughout the flight. |
Coordinated Turns | Personal preference | Enables smooth, curved transitions between waypoints instead of sharp 90° stops and pivots. |
9. Close your mission parameter settings
Once your settings are dialed in, tap the blue X on the right side of the mission settings panel to save your project.
10. Save your mission
Once your settings are dialed in, tap the save Icon in the middle of the bottom panel and name your mission. You’ll see your total mapping area, estimated flight time, and photo count, then your mission is ready to fly.
