Mission Planning

Create, manage, and execute automated flight missions with the Mission Planning interface.

Overview

Mission Planning allows you to:

  • Design waypoint-based flight paths
  • Configure automated actions at each waypoint
  • Save and reuse mission templates
  • Execute missions with real-time monitoring

Interface Layout

Map Canvas

The central map area for mission design:

  • Click to add waypoints
  • Drag waypoints to reposition
  • Visualize flight path and coverage

Mission Toolbar

Tools for mission creation:

  • Add Waypoint - Place new waypoints
  • Draw Path - Create connected waypoint sequence
  • Area Survey - Generate survey patterns
  • Delete - Remove selected elements

Properties Panel

Configure selected waypoint or mission properties.

Mission List

Browse saved missions and templates.

Creating a Mission

Step 1: Start New Mission

  1. Click New Mission in the toolbar
  2. Enter a mission name
  3. Select the target aircraft (determines flight parameters)

Step 2: Add Waypoints

Manual Placement:

  1. Click the Add Waypoint tool
  2. Click on the map to place waypoints
  3. Waypoints are numbered automatically
  4. Continue adding until path is complete

Coordinate Entry:

  1. Click Add by Coordinates
  2. Enter latitude, longitude, and altitude
  3. Click Add to place the waypoint

Step 3: Configure Waypoints

Select any waypoint to configure:

Property Description
Altitude Flight altitude at this waypoint
Speed Approach speed to this waypoint
Heading Aircraft orientation at waypoint
Gimbal Angle Camera pitch angle
Actions Automated actions (photo, video, etc.)
Hover Time Duration to pause at waypoint

Step 4: Review Path

  • Check total flight distance
  • Verify estimated flight time
  • Review battery requirements
  • Inspect for obstacles or restricted areas

Step 5: Save Mission

  1. Click Save Mission
  2. Confirm mission name and details
  3. Optionally add to favorites

Waypoint Actions

Configure automated actions at each waypoint:

Camera Actions

Action Description
Take Photo Capture single image
Start Recording Begin video recording
Stop Recording End video recording
Interval Photo Timed photo sequence

Flight Actions

Action Description
Hover Pause at waypoint for set duration
Rotate Rotate aircraft to specified heading
Tilt Gimbal Adjust camera angle

Mission Types

Waypoint Mission

Standard point-to-point flight following a defined path.

Area Survey

Automatically generate flight paths for area coverage:

  1. Draw the survey boundary
  2. Configure overlap percentage
  3. Set flight altitude
  4. System calculates optimal path

Orbit

Create circular flight around a point of interest:

  1. Set center point
  2. Configure radius
  3. Set altitude and speed
  4. Choose direction (CW/CCW)

Linear

Simple straight-line flight between two points:

  1. Set start point
  2. Set end point
  3. Configure altitude and speed

Executing a Mission

Pre-flight Checks

Before executing:

  1. Verify aircraft is connected and ready
  2. Check battery level (sufficient for mission + reserve)
  3. Confirm GPS lock and signal quality
  4. Review weather conditions
  5. Ensure airspace is clear

Starting Execution

  1. Load the desired mission
  2. Click Execute Mission
  3. Confirm the pre-flight checklist
  4. Click Start to begin

During Execution

Monitor the flight:

  • Real-time position on map
  • Telemetry data
  • Progress through waypoints
  • Camera status and captures

Intervention Options

Action Effect
Pause Hover at current position
Resume Continue mission
Skip Waypoint Move to next waypoint
Abort Cancel mission, hover in place
RTH Cancel and return home

Managing Missions

Mission Library

Access saved missions:

  • View all missions
  • Sort by date, name, or aircraft
  • Filter by favorites
  • Search by name

Edit Mission

  1. Select mission from library
  2. Click Edit
  3. Modify waypoints and settings
  4. Save changes

Duplicate Mission

Create a copy for modification:

  1. Select mission
  2. Click Duplicate
  3. Rename the copy
  4. Modify as needed

Delete Mission

  1. Select mission
  2. Click Delete
  3. Confirm deletion

Deleted missions cannot be recovered.

Best Practices

Safety Considerations

  • Always include adequate battery reserve
  • Set appropriate return-to-home altitude
  • Avoid flying over crowds or restricted areas
  • Monitor weather conditions

Efficiency Tips

  • Optimize waypoint sequence to minimize flight time
  • Use appropriate altitude for the task
  • Configure gimbal angles in advance
  • Test missions in simulation if available

Troubleshooting

Waypoints Not Saving

  • Check network connection
  • Verify mission name is entered
  • Ensure all required fields are complete

Mission Won’t Execute

  • Verify aircraft compatibility
  • Check battery level
  • Confirm GPS lock status
  • Review for airspace restrictions

Unexpected Flight Behavior

  • Verify waypoint coordinates
  • Check altitude settings
  • Review speed configurations
  • Ensure gimbal settings are correct

IDI Fly Dashboard Documentation © 2025