Create a flight plan

Site Scan Manager allows you to view existing flight plans and create new ones. You can create flight plans in both Site Scan Manager and the ArcGIS Flight app. One advantage to creating flight plans in Site Scan Manager is that you do not require access to an iPad. Because flight plans are stored at the project level, a newly created flight plan is instantly available to all members who have access to the project. This means pilots in the field can use a flight plan moments after you create it from the office.

Note:

Creating flight plans in Site Scan Manager is limited to Area Survey, Panorama, Crosshatch Survey, and Inspection modes. If you need to create flight plans for other mission types, or if the flight plan requires advanced features such as Terrain Follow or Geofence, you must create a flight plan in the ArcGIS Flight app.

The Flight Plans menu is accessible from the project dashboard in Site Scan Manager and shows a list of all existing flight plans in the project, the date each flight plan was created, and the creator of each flight plan. When the ArcGIS Flight app is synced, the list of flight plans updates. You can delete and duplicate flight plans from this menu. Clicking a flight plan allows you to view it on a map along with the flight plan parameters, such as flight height, overlap, and other settings.

To create a flight plan in Site Scan Manager, complete the following steps:

1. From the project dashboard, click Flight Plans.
2. Click New Flight Plan.
3. Select a Flight Mode option and click Next.
4. Adjust the mission parameters under the Settings tab.

   The default values are often sufficient for standard data capture. However, you can adjust each parameter to fit the needs of the mission.

   Most of the settings apply only to Area and Crosshatch missions. The only settings for Inspection missions are Takeoff Height and Return Height.

   1. Set the Flight Height value, which is the height above takeoff for image capture. Ensure this value is larger than all obstacles in the mission area.
   2. Set the Gimbal Angle value, which is the angle of the sensor during image capture.

      Zero degrees points straight down (nadir), and 90 degrees points to the horizon.

   3. Set the Hatch Angle value, which is the angle of the drone's flight lines. To increase efficiency of the mission, set the hatch angle parallel to the longest edge of the flight area.
   4. Set the Overlap value, which determines the frequency by which the drone takes a photo as it flies.
   5. Set the Sidelap value, which determines the distance between each flight leg.
   6. Set the Departure/Return Height option, which determines the height that the drone will fly between the mission area and the takeoff or landing location. Ensure this value is larger than all obstacles between the takeoff or landing point and the mission area.
   7. Turn on the Video Mode toggle button if you are planning a video flight.
   8. For Camera Model, choose the camera that will be used to fly the mission.

      Note:

      Camera Model is used only as a visual aid in Site Scan Manager flight planning. Because camera models have different properties, the flight lines will be optimized to match the flight parameters such as height and overlap for more accurate visualization. When loading the flight plan in the ArcGIS Flight app, the app automatically overrides the chosen Camera Model field to match the camera of the drone that is connected to the iPad at that time.

   9. Choose the First Waypoint preference, which determines on which side of the mission the drone will begin capturing data.
5. Optionally, adjust Layers.
   1. Click the Layers tab.
   2. If you have previously processed orthomosaics in the Site Scan Manager project, select one to view on the map.

      Showing orthomosaics can help you plan a mission according to previously captured extents.

   3. If the project has GCPs, enable them by turning on Ground Control Points.

      Showing GCPs can help you plan where to establish the mission boundary by considering the locations of GCPs.

   4. If the project has overlays such as KMLs or PDFs, enable them by turning on All Overlays or by individually turning on the layers you need.

      You can also upload an overlay by clicking Upload Overlay. These layers provide additional spatial context for the site as you plan the mission.

6. Adjust the mission location.
   1. On the map, click the mission polygon and drag it over the desired area.
   2. Add vertices by hovering over the polygon midpoints and dragging them.
7. Optionally, change the basemap. Click the basemap picker in the upper right corner and choose the desired basemap.

   The basemap selection is not saved to the flight plan and is only used for visual context during flight planning. The pilot can change the basemap when using the flight plan in the ArcGIS Flight app.

8. Optionally, for Area and Crosshatch missions, set the Starting Point location.
   1. Click the Set Starting Point button located underneath the basemap picker on the map's upper right corner.
   2. Click the desired starting point on the map to set the point.

      Note:

      When loading the flight plan in the ArcGIS Flight app, the drone's real world location is used as the starting point. Therefore, the Starting Point location has no impact on the flight path and is only used as a visual aid in Site Scan Manager flight planning.

9. Click Save Flight Plan.
10. Name the flight plan and click Save Flight Plan again.

    The flight plan is now created. You can click it in the list of flight plans to view the details. It is also available for use in the ArcGIS Flight app for any team member in your Site Scan organization who is an operator and has access to the current project.

Open a flight plan in ArcGIS Flight

To open the flight plan in the ArcGIS Flight app, complete the following steps:

1. Open the ArcGIS Flight app on an iPad and sign in.
2. Choose the project where the flight plan was created.
3. Click Flight Plans from the project menu.
4. Choose a flight plan.

   Note:

   If you do not see the newly created flight plan, first make sure you are looking in the correct project. If you have confirmed you are in the correct project, tap the Cloud button on the home screen next to the project name, and choose Sync with cloud.