Drone Mapping Software for Remote Alaska Prospecting

[Kodiak]

With all the talk and excitement around the use of drones in just about everything now days, I thought I would share my limited experience with you.

Through work, I am in the process of mapping thousands of acres of remote timberland.

The equipment I have is:

FAA Certified UAS Pilot
A 2 year old $800 drone from china(most drones are from china)
IBM Compatible Computer
I-Pad (for the drone, can use cell phone instead)
Limited Internet access

While I dont use mine for prospecting if I were to go remote what I would do is:

First thing - update drone, add drone apps to i-pad or phone
Second - Download autonomous mapping software, I use DroneDeploy
Third - Either upload and enable offline flight plan, or create one in mapping software for area to prospect
Fourth - Go to prospect site, then the easy part, press the button, and the drone goes and maps the flight path you designated
Fifth - Drone returns when done, or when it needs a new battery to continue mapping
Sixth - Upload pictures to mapping program when back in internet range
Seventh- Process into 2D, 3D, maps, calculate tailing pile volumes, etc..
Eighth - Overlay the AK State Geospatial Data, that GeoWizard is beating into all of our heads
Ninth - Dig here!

DJI_0039 (2).JPG

[chickenminer]

Hey Kodiak,
I love my DJI Phantom drone for mining use. From prospecting to reclamation verification.
Even though I've hoofed this country for over 40 yrs having the aerial perspective
of the drone is simply amazing.

[Kodiak]

Chickenminer,

I am currently using the DJi Macic Pro. I'm curious if you use any mapping software or do you just fly around and video? I did the fly around and video thing at first and it is great for seeing how everything looks, but not so great for relating everything spatially or gathering quantitative information.
The FAA has a 400' above ground level flight limit, so you cant really get more than 2 acres or so in a single photo looking down, so the mapping software stiches multiple pictures together allowing you to get a hi-res 2D photos and a 3D model of the claim.
One of the tools of the software is a volume calculator that calculates the volume in a pile, or the required amount of volume in a cut or hill. Very handy tools for someone who runs an active minesite.

Cost to use the mapping software is zero to however much you wanna spend.

If you haven't already mapped your property and are interested, I would love to talk you through it. I went and mapped 300 acres today already.

Kodiak

[chickenminer]

Kodiak,
Interesting. I honestly never looked to see what software was available for use with aerial mapping.
Yes, I mostly just fly around doing video to comb through during winter days.
I find it invaluable for aerial photos when it comes to filing new permits and reclamation.

[Micropedes1]

How much flight time between charges? Range from controller?

[chickenminer]

Glenn,
I have the DJI Phantom 3 Pro. Flight time with a fully charged battery is about 27 minutes.
Range varies greatly with terrain and drone height, but flying at DJI's altitude limit on the drone I have gone
over 3 miles w/o losing connection to the controller.

[Geowizard]

The DJI Drones recently went to an internet connect requirement - whether federally mandated or a business related mandate,I don't know. You can only operate the new DJI drones with a DJI internet connect thru a smart phone. I believe it is for tracking and product liability.

- Geowizard

[Kodiak]

The DJI Drones recently went to an internet connect requirement - whether federally mandated or a business related mandate,I don't know. You can only operate the new DJI drones with a DJI internet connect thru a smart phone. I believe it is for tracking and product liability.

- Geowizard

All DJI Drones require activation/installation with an internet capable smart phone/device. NFZ's (No flight zone's) are frequently updated and loaded onto the DJIGO APPlication. Detailed flight logs are created automatically that are stored on the drone and on the tablet/smart phone. The information on these logs rivals that of the fabled "Black Boxes". They are not uploaded automatically as far as I know, because I have to spend a half hour after every days flights uploading them.

There is no cell coverage where I live, nor where I fly at. And as long as I keep my drone updated, and I make sure to enable "Offline Flight Mode" there is no reason to be connected to the internet.

Here is a link to the FAA Drone page: https://www.faa.gov/uas/

Kodiak

[chickenminer]

Kodiak,
I think what GeoWiz is referring to is in a recent update to the P4P DJI drone. DJI had this point in their update;

"3. To ensure safety, the flight will be limited to 30 m height and 50 m distance if you’re not connected or logged into to the DJI GO 4 app during flight."

A bunch of confusion going on but bottom line is I don't believe you need an internet connection to fly the drone.
I know I don't for my P3P.

[Kodiak]

Wow,

First I have heard of that. If they continue that across their product line, it will severely limit any drone use in many parts of remote Alaska.

Kodiak