
Notice that only nine of the AeroPoints are being used, and they’re not surrounding the entire site. The image below is how you might set up a site, applying that thinking.īut this common misconception leads to inaccurate results. It’s reasonable to think that the more AeroPoints in one spot means even better precision. The short answer is no - not only does it not increase accuracy, but it can corrupt the accuracy of your entire survey. Set down all of your GCPs in clear view of the sky and avoid putting them under trees, near fences, or any other obstacles.Ĭommonly asked questions about ground control Should I put more AeroPoints in spots I need the most accuracy? When planning GCP placement, look for possible line-of-sight obstructions. You also need a few weights in the middle to hold the tarp snug and flat (no “air pockets”), so no part slips off or is pulled up by the wind. If you don’t have weights (GCPs) evenly spaced all around the edge, the entire tarp becomes distorted and clustered weights will drag the tarp toward a single area. Think about pinning down the whole survey of your site, like weighing down a tarp over an object. But the big question is: where should you put them? The basics of ground control placement Propeller sells them in sets of ten for better absolute accuracy and to save time on aerial surveying.

Essentially, GCPs reduce the margin of error from a scale of meters to centimeters.ĪeroPoints are smart GCPs that you can place around your site to capture vital ground control data. In drone surveying, ground control points (or GCPs) are points on the ground with known coordinates that a surveyor can precisely pinpoint, and with these, you’re able to accurately map large areas with a drone.

RTK- or PPK-enabled drones are adept in the air, but their accuracy does not automatically translate to accuracy on solid ground.

Ground control is one of the most important elements of an aerial mapping project because it ensures accuracy.
