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Skydio 2+ – Known for its exceptional obstacle avoidance and autonomy, this drone allowed us to fly safely in more complex environments. It’s particularly useful when flying close to structures or vegetation where collision risk is higher.DJI Mavic 2 Pro – Equipped with a high-quality Hasselblad camera, the Mavic 2 Pro produced excellent imagery for mapping missions. Its consistent image quality and reliability made it ideal for creating accurate orthomosaics and detailed visual maps.DJI Matrice 300 – As the most advanced platform we used, the M300 provided professional-grade data collection capabilities. With its RTK modules, interchangeable payloads, and long endurance, it allowed us to gather highly accurate geospatial data—especially useful for 3D modeling, large areas, and missions requiring precision.
AT 309 - Final Data Project
Introduction:
Our final for AT 309 was to create five maps for each of the flight labs we completed at the beginning of the semester, all of which were produced using ArcPro. Early in the semester, we were tasked with mapping the Purdue Student Garden.
Throughout the labs, we used three different drones: the Skydio 2+, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro, and the DJI Matrice 300. Using multiple platforms allowed us to understand how different aircraft and sensor capabilities impact data quality, mission planning, and the final products. Each drone offered unique strengths:
By working with these three different systems, we gained a deeper understanding of how aircraft size, sensor type, flight autonomy, and data accuracy all contribute to successful UAS operations. It also prepared us to choose the right platform for specific mission objectives in future professional settings.
Hailmary 1
Hailmary 1 was flown on 9/11/2025 at Purdue Student Garden. The flight crew consisted of 4 members: Isabella, Joe, Jacob and I. For this flight Isabella was rPIC while the rest of us were VO. For this flight we flew a skydio 2+ at 200 feet with 80% side and frontal overlap and the gimble straight down.
Hailmary 1 Table
Hailmary 1
Ortho
DSM
DTM
Values (meters)
N/A
212.415 - 243.194
213.485 - 219.765
Cell values
0.027283
0.027283
0.136417
Projection
Transrevse Mercator
Transrevse Mercator
Transrevse Mercator
There are no rows in this table
Venky - Hailmary 1 Ortho
Venky - Hailmary 1 DTM
Venky - Hailmary 1 DTM with Shaded DTM
Venky - Hailmary 1 DSM
Venky - Hailmary 1 DSM with Shaded DSM
Hailmary 2
Hailmary 2 was flown on 9/11/2025 at Purdue Student Garden. The flight crew consisted of 4 members: Isabella, Joe, Jacob and I. For this flight I was rPIC while the rest of crew were VO. For this flight we flew a skydio 2+ at 80 feet with 80% side and frontal overlap and the gimble at 75 degree.
Hailmary 2 Table
Hailmary 2
Ortho
DSM
DTM
Values (meters)
N/A
215.862 - 235.693
218.914 - 221.121
Cell values
0.011374
0.011374
0.056872
Projection
Transrevse Mercator
Transrevse Mercator
Transrevse Mercator
There are no rows in this table
Venky - Hailmary 2 Ortho
Venky - Hailmary 2 DTM
Venky - Hailmary 2 DTM with Shaded DTM
Venky - Hailmary 2 DSM
Venky - Hailmary 2 DSM with Shaded DSM
Hailmary 5
Hailmary 5 was flown on 9/23/2025 at Purdue Student Garden. The flight crew consisted of 4 members: Isabella, Joe, Jacob and I. For this flight Isabella was rPIC while the rest of us were VO. For this flight we flew a mavic 2 pro at 200 feet with 80% side and frontal overlap and the gimble straight down.
Hailmary 5 Table
Hailmary 2
Ortho
DSM
DTM
Values (meters)
N/A
208.651 - 231.94
208.668 - 212.74
Cell values
0.015547
0.015547
0.077733
Projection
Transrevse Mercator
Transrevse Mercator
Transrevse Mercator
There are no rows in this table
Venky - Hailmary 5 Ortho
Venky - Hailmary 5 DTM
Venky - Hailmary 5 DTM with Shaded DTM
Venky - Hailmary 5 DSM
Venky - Hailmary 5 DSM with Shaded DSM
Hailmary 6
Hailmary 6 was flown on 9/30/2025 at Purdue Student Garden. The flight crew consisted of 8 members: Joe, Jacob, Isabella, Nick, Hailey, Mason,Dr. Hupy, and me. For this flight Jacob was rPIC and I was the SO while everyone was VO. For this flight we flew a matrice 300 at 200 feet with 90% side and frontal overlap and the gimble straight down. We also used a Zenmuse H20T as the sensor for this mission.
Hailmary 6 Table
Hailmary 2
Ortho
DSM
DTM
Values (meters)
N/A
171.522 - 179.695
173.673 - 202.178
Cell values
0.050154
0.050154
0.250772
Projection
Transrevse Mercator
Transrevse Mercator
Transrevse Mercator
There are no rows in this table
Venky - Hailmary 6 Ortho
Venky - Hailmary 6 DTM
Venky - Hailmary 6 DTM with Shaded DTM
Venky - Hailmary 6 DSM
Venky - Hailmary 6 DSM with Shaded DSM
Conclusion:
During my time in this class, I learned a variety of valuable skills that I will carry with me into both my manned and unmanned aviation careers. One of the biggest lessons Dr. Hupy emphasized was the importance of taking thorough field notes. Throughout the semester, he consistently reminded us that good field notes are more than just documentation—they’re a reference tool, a troubleshooting resource, and a record of professional decision-making.
Having detailed notes allows me to go back and review exactly what I did during a mission, why I made certain choices, and how conditions in the field may have affected the data. This becomes especially useful when processing imagery, identifying errors, or explaining mission outcomes to someone else. In real-world operations, whether I’m flying a UAS or working in manned aviation, the ability to rely on accurate field notes can save time, prevent mistakes, and support safer, more informed decision-making.
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