GEOG 892
Geospatial Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

Summary and Final Tasks



Congratulations! You have just finished Lesson 4, UAS Mission Planning and Control. I hope that you appreciate the importance of this lesson material in relation to the Concept of Operation for any UAS. UAS projects based on poor planning mean nothing but guaranteed failure or/and poor quality derived products. Computations may seem complicated, but I tried to walk you through the different steps with details. However, if you feel that you are overwhelmed with understanding the design concepts, please do not hesitate to write to me.

Final Tasks

1 Complete the Lesson 4 Quiz.
2 Start Pix4D processing for Exercise 1 (Wiregrass Gravel Mine, Alabama) using these instructions. Submit your reports in Lesson 6 (5 points)

Start Pix4D processing for Exercise 2 (County Line Road, Dayton, Ohio) using these instructions. Submit your reports in Lesson 8 (8 points)

4 Practice the use of "Mission Planner"  software to develop a flight plan.
5 Participate in the "Human Elements of UAS" Discussion Forum

Post your opinion on the following topic and respond to at least two of your peers' postings:

Considering all elements that make a functioning UAS, one may think that the human element is the most important element of a UAS implementation. The human element complements and interacts in one way or another with most other UAS elements such as aerial vehicle, command and control, payloads, data and communication links, and launch and recovery. With the rapid pace of advancement in technology, one may expect that the importance of the human element will diminish as UAS technology is more mature and the UAS becomes more advanced.

  1. I agree that the human element will become less interactive but stays important to the safe and successful implementation of a UAS. As navigation technologies advance, less interactive involvement will be needed but the decision-making aspects stay with the human element. For example, launching and landing is automated but a human will determine the best location for landing.
  2. I don't agree with the argument given in (1), as we created the system and we are the ones who should operate it to ensure sound performance and uncompromised public safety.

(3 points or 3%)

Due date for this assignment is at the end of Lesson 4.