Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Drone Surveying Projects (And How to Fix Them)
- Anvita Shrivastava
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Mission-critical applications of drone surveying are common in various industries, including construction, mining, utilities, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Although there are many skilled pilots and GIS specialists in this field, mistakes are often made, resulting in inaccurate data and compromised safety, and these mistakes can be costly.
When using RTK/PPK-supported UAV systems, performing LiDAR operations, or capturing digital images of your project with photogrammetry, there are several operational pitfalls to avoid that can have a significant impact on improving the accuracy of your collected information and increasing your return on investment.
Using GCPs That Are Inaccurate or Not Concordant
Error
GCPs with poor distribution, poor measurement, or poor visibility may result in significant geolocation errors in a photogrammetry workflow.
Solution
Utilize high-contrast, survey-quality GCP targets (30-60 cm) with proper distribution of at least 5 plus an additional 1 for every 10 acres.
Utilize GNSS RTK/PPK to record sub-2 cm coordinates.
Recheck GCP elevations. Vertical error is usually greater than horizontal error.
Failing to Validate Coordinate Systems and Datums
The Mistake
Mixing WGS84, NAD83, NAVD88, state plane systems, or orthometric vs. ellipsoidal heights creates misalignments during processing.
How to Fix It
Define the project coordinate framework before fieldwork.
Match:
Flight logs
GCPs
Processing software
Deliverables (e.g., CAD, GIS files)
Convert datums using validated transformation tools (NOAA VDatum, EPSG codes).
Improper Overlap and Flight Parameters.
Mistake:
If you do not have enough overlap during image capture, you will experience failures or artifacts in the reconstruction/mesh for dense vegetation and other tall vertical structures.
Correction:
Use a front overlap of 75%-85%.
Use a side overlap of 70%-80%.
If the foliage is sparse and there are many complicated facades, increase the overlap to 90%. Maintain a consistent Ground Sample Distance (GSD) while flying at a stable altitude.
Flying in bad/light level fluctuating conditions.
Mistake:
A harsh shadow, glare, low-light noise level, or changing cloud coverage can be detrimental to your image quality and consistency.
Correction:
You should plan to capture images between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. based on the local time zone.
Overcast days are best for uniform illumination of your subject matter (at least as uniform as possible)
If you are capturing thermal imagery, you will obtain the best thermal contrast qualities by flying first thing in the morning.
Set your exposure and white balance manually so that the camera does not automatically adjust these functions while you are taking images.
Ignoring Wind, Weather, and Environmental Factors
The Mistake
Wind-induced pitch/roll variations cause motion blur, poor LiDAR point distribution, and gaps in imagery.
How to Fix It
Fly only within UAV wind-resistance specifications (typically < 20–25 mph).
Monitor gust vs. sustained wind—gusts matter more.
Use LiDAR systems with IMU stabilization for wind-sensitive missions.
Avoid high temperatures that cause battery thermal throttling and reduced flight time.
Not Calibrating Sensors Properly
The Mistake
Uncalibrated IMUs, cameras, and LiDAR sensors introduce systematic bias.
How to Fix It
Perform IMU warm-up (2–3 minutes stationary).
Recalibrate cameras for:
Lens distortion
Shutter timing
Focal length drift
For LiDAR systems, run boresight calibration flights every 3–5 missions.
Poor Mission Planning and Terrain Awareness
The Mistake
Missions that are conducted at one altitude AVERAGED over varied terrain can cause mismatched ground sampling distance (GSD) and missed mapping areas.
How to Fix It
To eliminate inconsistencies in GSD and missed mapping zones, use a terrain following-flight plan designed by alternative DEM/DSM data.
Train flightpath to change based on terrain slope, cliff/extreme edge of a stockpile area.
Fly at a higher altitude or above heavy vegetation to avoid the likelihood of clipping the foliage of the canopy.
Overlooking Airspace Regulations and Site Safety
The Mistake
Flying without proper authorization or not accounting for site hazards (cranes, power lines, RF interference).
How to Fix It
Verify:
LAANC authorization
Airspace class
Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs)
Create a pre-flight site hazard map.
Use electromagnetic-resistant GNSS modules near power infrastructure.
Maintain VLOS (visual line of sight) and have a designated observer.
Poor Battery & Back-up Planning
The Mistake
Running completely out of power when airborne or relying on perfect battery function.
The Solution
Maintain 20%-30% reserve battery capacity for backend swap-outs.
Store batteries between 20 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius for their highest performance.
Carry 20%-40% more batteries than theoretically required.
If doing a large area of mapping, pre-program several mission segments for connecting, ensuring there are several areas of overlap between mission segments.
Poor Data Management and QA/QC Workflow
The Mistake
Losing metadata, mislabeling datasets, or skipping QA steps leads to unreliable deliverables.
How to Fix It
Use strict file naming conventions for RAW images, GNSS logs, and project folders.
Perform a structured QA/QC pipeline:
Check image sharpness and exposure uniformity.
Validate GNSS positioning (RTK fix% %, PPK solution quality).
Run rapid low-resolution processing to detect capture errors.
Inspect point clouds and surfaces for noise or voids.
Maintain redundant backups (SSD + cloud).
Drones offer incredible speed and accuracy to surveyors; however, this is only achieved by applying strict technical standards to the method of surveying. By avoiding these typical failures and implementing structured workflows, you can provide high-precision survey data for the engineering, GIS construction, mining, and environmental industries consistently.
For more information or any questions regarding the drone surveying projects, please don't hesitate to contact us at:
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