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Light Poles around an altitude of 75 to 100 feet AGL. Trees around an altitude of 175 feet AGL. There was a parking lot nearby with cars and pedestrians not directly involved. Unpictured there was a recreational drone and pilot nearby. We communicated with the pilot about what we were conducting and what they were conducting. We had clear boundaries set to avoid any collisions and practice safe flying.
Red Rectangle Flight path for the lawnmower 2D mapping Blue Rectangle Flight path for the crosshatch with perimeter flight
Height of 200 ft The maximum altitude allowed at the site was 200 ft AGL, due to flying in Class D Airspace and our LAANC authorization. 80% side and frontal overlap Lens Nadir 90 degrees straight down 60 to 80 ft We set our parameters for 80 ft to avoid any hazards 80% side and frontal overlap 75-degree bevel on lens Crosshatch and perimeter flight enabled
Connecting to the Skydio 2+ 3D Scan mode The team was able to successfully connect with the Skydio 2+ drone and controller. However, the team was unable to switch into 3D scan mode. We had another drone with us, due to other groups having the same issue. After connecting to the new Skydio and rebooting it, it was able to connect and switch modes successfully. Battery Drainage Due to the extent of the flight, the stopping and starting, and number of images taken, the battery was draining quickly. Before leaving UAS Dispatch, we already discussed this possibility and decided to bring 2 spare batteries. At the site we had 6 batteries altogether.
Lawnmower – 5 minutes Crosshatch – 10 minutes
Skydio 2+ 2D Mapping Mission
Figure 1. Image taken from crosshatch and perimeter flight.
Introduction
During this flight, my team and I had a mission to practice using the Skydio 2+ for a mapping mission. We worked together to set up the Skydio, go through a checklist, reboot the software to 3D scan, practice mapping in a lawn-mower grid 2D mapping mission, and perform a crosshatch flight with a perimeter flight included.
Flight Members
Table 5
Column 1
Column 2
Column 3
Column 4
Isabella Avedician
Joe Kahi
Venky Devapatla
Jacob Sieber
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*Professor Hupy approved us to work in a group of four for this flight mission due to unforeseen circumstances. Our data was shared with all team members. This was discussed with Professor Hupy, and is why our data from this mission is the same*
Location
Figure 2. Purdue University Student Farm
Figure 3. Purdue University Student Farm
We conducted this mission at the Purdue University Student Farm, which is about 2.3 miles, or 7 minutes, from the Purdue University UAS Dispatch and Airport.
Address: 1491, Cherry Ln, West Lafayette, IN 47906
Hazards
Figure 4. Light Poles
Figure 5. Trees
Figure 6. Car, Parking lot, pedestrians
Weather and Site Conditions
METAR
Figure 7. METAR For Site
METAR: KLAF 091854Z 19003KT 10SM CLR 24/09 A3014 RMK AO2 SLP207 T02390089
Table 6
Station Identifier
Purdue University (Class D)
Date and Time
Sept. 9th 2025, 1854Z or 1354EST
Wind
190 true at 3 knots
Visibility
10 SM
Sky’s
Clear
Temperature and Dew Point
24C/75.2F, 9C/48.2F
Altimeter
30.14 in of Hg
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LAANC
Figure 8. LAANC Authorization
Figure 9. Could Coverage at the site
At the mission site, there was minimal wind, cloudy, but overall good visibility. After reviewing the METAR, Part 107 rules and regulations, and assessing our hazards, we deemed the site safe to conduct our mission.
Mission and Planning
Before we did any set-up or flying, we communicated what the mission of this flight was, how we were going to conduct it, and planned how it was to be performed.
The mission:
The mission of this flight was to get more practice flying the Skydio 2+, practice using the 3D scan mode, get familiar with the lawnmower 2D mapping, crosshatch with perimeter mapping, and get images from both mappings for future analysis. Refer to the image and text below.
Lawnmower 2D
Figure 10. Flight parameters for Lawnmower 2D mapping
Crosshatch with perimeter flight (no pictured)
Photos: 190 X-Hatch: Enabled
Height: 80 ft Perim: Enabled
Time: 10 minutes Overlaps: 80, 80
Figure 11. Flight paths.
We planned to conduct this flight with the Skydio2+ due to its powerful AI-driven autonomy, its unique 360-degree obstacle avoidance, and its powerful 3D scanning and mapping. The Skydio 2+ was the best decision for this mission.
We decided to have Isabella Avedician as the Pilot in Command, or PIC, for the larger (red) rectangle, which included the lawnmower 2D map. Isabella’s job was to keep an eye on the controller and make sure the lens was facing in the direction it needed to be in. The other team members acted as Visual Observers, or VOs. They ensured the UAS was clear of any hazards and was following the flight plan set. For the crosshatch with perimeter (blue rectangle) flight, Venky Devapalta was the PIC, and the rest of the team acted as VO. The roles were the same.
We made sure each team member had their Part 107 license, valid ID, and understood the roles before set-up began.
Checklist and set up
Figure 12. Venky D. Setting up Skydio 2+
Once arrival at the Purdue University Student Farm, we began assessing our site. There was a group from the previous lab still there. We waited for them, about 10 to 15 minutes, to complete their flight and download their data. From there, we began by making sure we had LAANC approved for the area and that all team members had their Part 107 license and a valid ID with them.
Next, it was time to set up the drone. We inspected the drone at the UAS Dispatch to make sure it was in proper condition. However, once we arrived at the student farm, we inspected the drone again. Once all team members inspected the drone, we began with the setup and connected it to Isabella Avedician’s phone. There were some issues; refer to “Issues Encountered” for further information. After the connection, we rebooted the Skydio 2+ to be in 3D scan. From there, we set our parameters for our 2 flights and completed the mission.
Lawnmower 2D grid
Crosshatch with perimeter flight
Issues Encountered
As a group, we encountered two issues.
Data Deliverables
Table 7
Time to field and back (from UAS Dispatch)
2.3 miles; 7 minute drive to field, 14 minute drive total
Delay
10-15 minute to wait for previous group to finish their flight
Set up time
30 minutes due to issues encountered and setting parameters
Flight time
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Table 8
Number of images for Lawnmower
54 images
Number of images for Crosshatch
190 images
Size of each image
4056 x 3040 pixels
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Link to OneDrive:
Conclusion
The main mission of this flight was to practice mapping, work in 3D mode scan, get lawnmower 2D mapping, crosshatch with perimeter mapping, collect data/images that we will process later, and to get a better understanding and practice of how the Skydio 2+ works and learn how to utilize the mapping technology it has.
My team and I collected 244 images, with the size of each image being 4056 x 3040 pixels. In the future, my team and I will process these 2D images into 3D models due to their overlap.
This flight was successful due to our set aside time for mission and planning, pre-flight checklist, assessing hazards and risks, and the team's communication.
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