Warning: our drone survey in Phoenix went from perfect to a total mess in one afternoon

We were mapping a 15-acre site with a new DJI M300, and the data was crystal clear until about 2 PM. A sudden dust storm rolled in, and the wind hit 35 mph. The drone started getting pushed around, and the footage from the last two flights was just a blurry, shaky mess. Has anyone else had to redo a full site survey because of weather wrecking the data?

4 comments

4 Comments

morgan.jason18d ago

Yeah, that "blurry, shaky mess" line hits hard. Been there with a sudden wind gust ruining a whole grid. It's the worst feeling, knowing you have to go back out and eat all that cost and time. Phoenix dust is no joke, it gets into everything and just wrecks the visuals. Total solidarity, man. Weather wiping a survey is one of the most frustrating parts of the job.

the_viola18d ago

Wait, you have to pay to redo it yourself?

the_alice18d ago

Ugh, this is everywhere now... paying to fix something you didn't break. It's like when an app update messes up your phone and you need a new charger. Or a pothole pops up right after the city repaves and they ticket you for swerving. The system just assumes you'll eat the cost for things totally out of your hands. Makes you feel powerless.

olivia67014d ago

Man, I feel that. I once spent a whole morning getting perfect shots of a roof for an insurance claim, only for a flock of birds to decide it was bath time in a puddle right below. The final pics looked like a weird, feathery tornado hit. Had to explain that to the client and then go back the next day. Sometimes this job is just pure comedy of errors.