TL;DR: A successful Tulsa surveying UAV flight starts with checking local regulations and weather, choosing PPK or GCP technology based on site size, and reviewing data on-site before leaving—and it requires an FAA-certified pilot with Oklahoma CFedS surveying expertise, especially for projects on federal or tribal land.
Flying a mapping UAV for Tulsa surveying means checking site regulations and weather first, choosing between PPK and GCP technology based on the site’s size, and confirming your pilot holds current FAA certification—all before the drone ever leaves the ground.
When it comes to land surveying, the right tools are essential to quickly and accurately receive information. For land surveying Tulsa, a mapping UAV is a helpful tool to gain all data needed for a successful project. When flying a UAV, there are some factors to consider to ensure that the survey is a success.
Flying a Mapping UAV
Check the Site
Before flying a UAV for Tulsa surveying:
- Check the local regulations to ensure that a drone can fly in that place and at that time
- Stay aware of weather conditions to avoid rain, fog, snow, and strong winds
- Create a flight plan to ensure that the entire area will be covered without exhausting the UAV’s battery
At the Site
Bring a computer so you will be able to check the data after each flight. If you check the data after leaving, you may realize too late that the photos are not clear enough. It is also recommended that you bring your phone or a notebook to log flight times, extra batteries, and a photo storage device.
Setting Up the UAV
When you reach the land surveying Tulsa site and ensure that the weather conditions are suitable for flying, unpack and assemble the mapping UAV. Thoroughly inspect each part of the UAV to make sure that it is prepared for the survey. Before launching the UAV, make sure that it is fully charged.
PPK or GCP Technology
On large sites, there could be around 90 ground control points that must be laid before the flight. In these situations, consider using Post-Processed Kinematic (PPK) technology as it eliminates the need for control points, allowing the UAV to be flown shortly after arriving. For projects on sites that are not as large, Ground Control Point (GCP) technology is effective as it ensures high data accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a mapping UAV pilot need CFedS certification to fly?
No. Flying a commercial drone requires an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. CFedS is a separate credential that applies to the survey itself when a project involves federal, tribal, or restricted fee land—not to who’s piloting the UAV.
What’s the difference between PPK and GCP technology?
PPK (Post-Processed Kinematic) technology eliminates the need for ground control points, letting the UAV fly sooner after arriving on site. GCP (Ground Control Point) technology relies on physically placed points to ensure high data accuracy, and works well on smaller sites.
What happens if the UAV photos come back blurry or incomplete?
Reviewing flight data on-site, rather than waiting until you leave, lets you catch unclear photos in time to re-fly that section before packing up.
Key Takeaways
- Check local drone regulations and weather conditions, and build a full flight plan before flying a mapping UAV for a Tulsa survey.
- Bring equipment to review flight data on-site—waiting until you leave risks discovering unclear photos too late to re-fly.
- Large sites may call for PPK technology to skip laying ground control points, while GCP technology suits smaller sites that still need high data accuracy.
- A UAV pilot needs current FAA certification, not CFedS certification—CFedS matters separately when a project involves federal, tribal, or restricted fee land.
Hiring an Oklahoma CFEDS Surveying Pilot
When hiring a Tulsa surveying company that utilizes mapping UAVs, confirm that the pilot holds current FAA certification for drone operation. If your project involves federal, tribal, or restricted fee land, also confirm the firm has Oklahoma CFedS surveying expertise on its team. At Sisemore & Associates, our survey technicians meet FAA requirements for every UAV flight, and our team includes a Certified Federal Surveyor for projects that need it. Contact us to begin your next project.