UAS Checklists (Multi–spectral)

Contact Jennifer Rogers (jrogers@talltimbers.org) for suggestions or questions

MicaSense RedEdge–P Sensor–       Matrice 300 RTK

Unmanned Aircraft System: DJI Matrice 300 RTK

Flight Software Covered: DJI Pilot 2

Date Updated: 21 April 2025

Admin Notes: This checklist does not replace the need to study and understand aircraft and operations manuals. Verify use with Tall Timbers Geospatial Lab.

Sensor Manual: MicaSense RedEdge–P

Contact: 

Jennifer Rogers jrogers@talltimbers.org

Karen Cummins kcummins@talltimbers.org

MISSION PLANNING

Save KML/KMZ from Google Earth (specifically)

Deposit file onto Google Drive

In controller, open browser and download file from Google Drive

In Flight Route import route

Set Camera to Custom Camera– Mica300

Enable Terrain Follow, and Download from Internet

Determine flight parameters per use case: HERE

Terrain Follow Height – refer to Ground Sampling Distance (GSD)

Speed – Refer to Speed/Altitude Chart in manual

Adjust Course Angle for most efficiency (fewest turn–arounds)

Advanced Settings –

           Overlap– 80%/80%

Ex. For 6.99cm/pixel – 363ft altitude, conservative 20mph, 80% overlap

Adjust margins or verify flight extent larger than area of interest

Upon Completion– RETURN TO HOME

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

Log –

           Check out GPS HERE

           Check out UAV HERE  

Real Time Kinematics (RTK) Pole –

           Battery charge – CHECK

           Air bubbles – CENTERED/BALANCED

           Orient – FRONT FACING NORTH

           Power – ON

           Mode – 5   

Preflight brief (introductions, roles, purpose) – COMPLETE

Wind, temperature, density altitude – CHECK

Time – WITHIN 2.5 HOURS OF SOLAR NOON

“Preflight checklist” – ANNOUNCE

Launch and recovery areas – DEFINED

Radio – MONITORING AS APPROPRIATE

Controller – CHARGED, CONFIGURED, ON

Controller antenna – UNFOLDED

Sensor Lens Cover – REMOVED

Sensor Digital Light Sensor (DLS) – CONNECTED

Flight batteries – CHECK CHARGE

Propellers – SECURE AND CORRECT

Airframe properly assembled – CHECK

Aircraft SD card – INSERTED, HAS CAPACITY

Master flight mode – “P”

“Power” – ANNOUNCE

Drone master power – ON

Controller – CONNECTED

Sensor Status –

Compass status – CALIBRATE (ONCE PER DAY)

Connect phone to WiFi – rededgep_PRO3–2117754–MS

In phone browser navigate to 192.168.10.254

In Configurations Tab –

           DLS Configurations – CALIBRATE (ONCE PER DAY)

           Basic Configurations –

                Auto–Capture Mode – TIMER

                Timer Period – 1 SECOND (or Pre–Flight Estimator)

                Target Alt – ARBITRARY (0 METERS)

                Target Alt Tolerance – ARBITRARY (5 METERS)

                Manual Exposure – NOT ENABLED

Verify available storage

Verify (P) next to UTC in Time

Collect calibration photo –

           No shadows on calibration panel or DLS

           Press physical button on camera

           Verify in app (Aim for 1/3 of image covered by panel)

Real Time Kinematics (RTK) Controller Setting –

                RTK Positioning – ON

                Maintain Positioning Accuracy Mode – ON

                Select RTK Service Type – D–RTK2 Mobile Station

UAV Health Management System – NORMAL/GREEN

Flight battery cell balance – WITHIN 0.03

Main Flight battery voltage – WITHIN 0.1

Battery warnings/failsafe levels – SET (~10%, 30%)

Return to home altitude/mode – CHECK, AS APPROPRIATE

Failsafe lost link – SET (RETURN TO HOME)

Obstacle Avoidance – ON, CHECK SETTINGS

Controller status “Green” – CHECK

“Preflight complete” – ANNOUNCE

TAKEOFF CHECKLIST

“Takeoff checklist” – ANNOUNCE

GPS position – SATELLITES AMPLE

Master flight mode – P

Sensor feed – SWITCH/CHECK VISIBILITY

Crew and observers – CLEAR OF UAS

In sensor phone app – START TIMER

“Launching” – ANNOUNCE

Arming – EXECUTE

Takeoff – EXECUTE

Hover (20 FT) – ESTABLISH

Flight controls – CHECK

Home location – CHECK

Upload Mission – IGNORE GIMBLE & OVERLAP WARNING

DURING FLIGHT

Ground Control Points [Targets] (GCP) – 3 PLACED

GPS (For RTK and GCP) –

           Follow tutorials – HERE

           External battery – CONNECTED

           Main Trimble Power – ON

           Trimble App – OPEN/LOCATION STATUS CONNECTED

           Correction Status – IN USE

           Horizonal Accuracy – <10cm

           Point – NAMED/SAVED

Battery Swaps

           At >30% Battery

           Return to Home

           Connect to WiFi

           In phone app – STOP AUTO–CAPTURE TIMER

           Collect calibration photo (as above)

           Check SD storage availability

           Hot swap batteries

           Collect calibration photo

           Resume Mission

           Upload Mission

           In phone app – START AUTO–CAPTURE TIMER

           Start Flight

APPROACH AND LANDING CHECKLIST

“Landing” – ANNOUNCE

Landing airspace and area – CLEAR

Hover – ESTABLISH

Land – EXECUTE

Collect calibration photo

“Power Off” – ANNOUNCE

Master power – OFF

QUALITY CHECK AND INITIAL PROCESSING

Transfer data to server

Follow tutorials available through MicaSense –

           For Pix4D: HERE

           For Agisoft:  HERE

For panel calibrations reflectance, values are as follow –

           Blue: 0.5078

           Green: 0.5092

           Panchro: 0.5082

           Red: 0.5093

           RedEdge: 0.5086

           NIR: 0.5068