I’m planning to build a drone for orthophotography. It needs to run Ardupilot and carry two cameras similar in size to GoPros, with a total payload of around 180-200g including the mount.
Is it true that a 10" build will have a longer flight time than a 7" build? I’ve been experimenting with eCalc and can’t seem to get past 14 minutes of flight time.
What quadcopter setup would you recommend for carrying this kind of payload?
If you’re after long flight times, you should consider a plane. Keep in mind that GoPros aren’t ideal for orthophotography due to their fisheye lenses unless you’re going for a poor man’s oblique camera.
@Ben
I’d prefer a quadcopter since the areas I’m mapping are smaller (less than 300m per side), which would require constant turning. Also, I have more experience with drones than planes.
The cameras won’t actually be GoPros—they just have a similar size and form factor.
@Taliesin
Planes can give you over an hour of flight time, and Ardupilot can automate grid patterns for mapping.
Dale said:
@Taliesin
Planes can give you over an hour of flight time, and Ardupilot can automate grid patterns for mapping.
How agile can a plane carrying 200g be? My concern is overshooting the mapping area, especially near roads or houses. I’d rather avoid going too close to those.
@Taliesin
You can configure Ardupilot for precise grids. With geo-tagged images, you can use software for orthomosaic mapping. Planes do need more space for turns, but they’re very efficient for mapping.
@Dale
That’s my worry—planes might need an extra 50m or so for turns, which could get too close to restricted areas. I’ve only flown quadcopters, so I’m not sure about plane maneuverability.
@Taliesin
You might achieve 30 minutes of flight time with 10-inch props and a 10,000mAh 6S Li-ion battery.
Larger drones are generally more efficient. For reference, the DJI Matrice 30 uses 16-inch props.
I use an older DJI Matrice 100 that flies for 40–45 minutes. It’s a bit bigger than 10 inches, though.
Is there a tool to calculate flight path spacing based on altitude, camera field of view, resolution, overlap, and the desired image resolution? I’d like to estimate the time required to map a large area.
@Taliesin
Not directly, but this might help: GSD Calculator. Use GSD * image width (in pixels) to calculate the ground area covered by each image. From there, figure out the spacing between flight paths based on your desired overlap.
@Ridge
That’s exactly what I was looking for. Thanks! I’ll play around with it.
Flight time depends on more than just size. If your budget allows, DJI drones are a great option for mapping.
Slurry said:
Flight time depends on more than just size. If your budget allows, DJI drones are a great option for mapping.
This is a hobby project, and I’d rather not get locked into DJI’s ecosystem. Also, can DJI drones even output RC servo signals for camera control?
@Taliesin
DJI drones come with integrated gimbals and advanced cameras, so you wouldn’t need external cameras like GoPros.
Slurry said:
@Taliesin
DJI drones come with integrated gimbals and advanced cameras, so you wouldn’t need external cameras like GoPros.
That’s true, but this is more for fun and experimentation. Spending over $5,000 on a hobby isn’t feasible for me.
@Taliesin
A DJI Mini 4K might work for under $300, but it wouldn’t carry an additional 200g payload.
Slurry said:
@Taliesin
A DJI Mini 4K might work for under $300, but it wouldn’t carry an additional 200g payload.
Exactly. That’s why I’m building a custom 10-inch quadcopter.
Slurry said:
@Taliesin
A DJI Mini 4K might work for under $300, but it wouldn’t carry an additional 200g payload.
Exactly. That’s why I’m building a custom 10-inch quadcopter.
Building a 7–10" quad with a large Li-ion battery should work well for your needs.