Mission Planning with the Freefly Astro

This article will cover everything you need to know to plan a mission with your new FreeFly Astro. Additional information can be found on the Freefly Astro Wiki. 

If you just received your drone, make sure to view our Freefly Astro quick start guide to ensure you are all set up and ready to fly.

Mission planning steps

1. Power on the drone and RC and connect the RC to your mobile hotspot if you will not be using offline maps. Tap the triangle on the top left of the screen and select Plan to show the mission planning menu.

   

2. Select Pattern to begin planning your mission

   

3. Select Survey to define a 2D photogrammetry mission area
   

4. A box will appear on your given position. You can adjust the shape of the area by dragging the white points to the desired location. You can add more points in the line segment between two white points. Use two fingers to pan around the map if you need to change the viewable area.

   

5. The menu on the right will display mission settings such as flight pattern angle. Set side and front overlap to 75%, and set your mission altitude between 250-400 feet (75-120 meters)

   

6. The icons on the right side menu allow you to switch between the following settings: Pattern, Camera, Terrain Follow, and other settings. You can also import a KML file at this step. (note: KMZ files are not supported)

   

7. Select the Camera icon and select your camera from the drop down menu.  (Sony ILX-LR1-24mm)

   

8. Select End from the menu on the right to choose the action for the end of this mission. Choose Return to Launch. The drone will automatically return to the launch position upon completion. The RTL button on the RC will call the drone back to the launchpoint on command if needed.

   

9. Select Save to save your mission and give it a name. Then select upload to load the mission.

   

10. Now select the triangle in the top left of the screen and tap on the fly option, then select takeoff and hold the takeoff button that appears at the bottom of the screen. The drone will commence the mission and return to launch upon completion.

    

    Allow the drone to land and complete any remaining tasks.

    

11. Once the remaining tasks have completed you can power off the RC and the drone.

Recommended camera settings

Recommended mission and camera settings are as follows: 

I still can't do it!

We wrote these articles to equip you with everything you need to get the job done on your own, but we understand that sometimes this isn't sufficient.

If you're stuck, the Propeller hardware support team may be able to help. You can contact them by emailing hardwaresupport@propelleraero.com.au.