Where to now
| Site: | TAFE SA Learn |
| Course: | Micro-credential - Drones in Agriculture |
| Book: | Where to now |
| Printed by: | Guest user |
| Date: | Tuesday, 23 September 2025, 2:30 AM |
Description
Click on the link above to open the book, then click 'Next' and 'Previous' to move between the pages. You can also use the table of contents to jump between chapters when you revisit this information.
If your preference is to use an alternative format you will find the option in each topic just below the books.
Image used under license
from Shutterstock.com
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction
- 1.1. What do you need from a drone
- 1.2. Camera type
- 1.3. Using different cameras
- 1.4. How you will analyse the data captured by your drone
- 1.5. Understanding your environment
- 1.6. Flight time and range needed
- 1.7. Battery life
- 1.8. Operation and ease of use
- 1.9. Durability
- 1.10. Reliability
- 1.11. Availability
- 1.12. Portability
- 1.13. Return on investment
- 1.14. Ongoing costs and maintenance
- 1.15. Budget
- 1.16. Check the regulations for your area
- 2. Topic wrap up
1. Introduction
Now that you have made it this far, you have probably felt that a drone will help you with your property. Before rushing to your local electronics store or looking online for the one for you, it's recommended that you develop a list of what is important. Shopping for new technology can be daunting and salespeople can be persuasive, so best come up with a list of non-negotiables for your drone.1.1. What do you need from a drone
How will your business make use of a drone? Is it for heard management? Crop identification or just to give you more information about what is happening on the land. No matter the solution, you need to be sure about what problem you are working to solve.
This will help refine some of the criteria that you will use to select the most appropriate drone.
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
1.2. Camera type
Based on the solution you are looking for, this will determine the type of camera that you need on your drone, as you would have seen in the material, there are many alternatives, RGB/Infrared/ multispectral/hyperspectral cameras and even thermal, LIDAR and radar sensors.
Most cameras on brand manufacturer drones have a camera capable of producing both high definition still and video images. They generally have large capacity SD cards (removable memory devices) and can store large numbers of high-resolution photos and video files such as. raw or 4k
To carry the larger professional camera systems for Film and TV or specialist thermal or lidar systems, larger heavy-lift drones would be required. These not only have better lifting capacity but are more stable in windy conditions. The other thing to consider is the type of gimbal that holds the camera. On some drones, the camera position is fixed while others have gimbals that are 2 axis and others 3. If you wish to face the camera down to take the overlapping images required for many of the examples in this course, you’ll need a 2-axis gimbal. With cameras that take advantage of VR (Virtual Reality) devices then a 3-axis camera is required. Some drone models don’t come with a camera at all and third-party devices such as GoPro's are used.
On many drones, the camera can be configured for a variety and settings including burst and interval capture for time-lapse photography.
Cameras also come with various 'modes' besides the standard single shot. Click on the link below if you would like to find out more about these:
https://store.dji.com/guides/6-photo-modes-every-aerial-photographer-needs-to-know/
Taking it to the next level.
Virtual Reality headsets are becoming increasingly popular with drone developers and users. Several manufacturers have models available and are adding a new tool to the farmers' toolbox. These devices allow a second person to experience the flight while viewing a live feed in 3D through the VR headset. They offer an excellent training tool or opportunity for an expert to do the field analysis while a pilot flies the aircraft.
In Australia these devices are not to be worn by the pilot while they fly the aircraft However, the person wearing the headset can take control of the camera and take the photos/videos.
Take a look at this video for more information about headsets/goggles:
DJI - Introducing the DJI Goggles [5.02]
1.3. Using different cameras
The following pics are the same space using different cameras and
processing. They are an example of a golf fairway area at Urrbrae and show a
site of images using different cameras and processing.
Orthostatic
view – Stitched image combining several HD images
Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
Camera: Hasselblad
Processing Software: Maps Made Easy
Image license: TAFE SA
NIR – Stitched image combining several near infrared images
Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
Camera: AgroCam (additional mount under drone)
Processing Software: AgroCam cloud processing
Image license: TAFE SA
NDVI – Processed colour map
Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
Camera: AgroCam (additional mount under drone)
Processing Software: AgroCam cloud processing
Image license: TAFE SA
DEM – Digital Elevation Model is a height colour map with dark blue being the low areas through to red being highest
Drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
Camera: Hasselblad
Processing Software: Maps Made Easy
Image license: TAFE SA
1.4. How you will analyse the data captured by your drone
Any drone is only as valuable as the data that it provides you. Consider any software required and if this is compatible with your current equipment. Depending on the type of camera and data that you will be using there are several software packages that can be used to analyse the information and provide you with more useful feedback. Don’t forget to add any software costs into your plan.
There are several cloud-based
processing websites available if you don’t want to purchase your own
specialised software. These often use a credit system where you purchase points
as credits and use them when you request processing. These sites are convenient
and don’t require complex computing equipment or skill to use. It should be
noted however that these sites generally require good internet connections as
they need to transfer a lot of data (your images) up to their sites. In
regional areas, this could be a disadvantage. In-house processing may be a
better business choice but talk to your software supplier first. Make sure you
have the computing power to do what you want. Many of the processes covered
here such as photogrammetry require higher specification computing systems for
them to work effectively.
Check your knowledge using the quiz below.
1.5. Understanding your environment
The environment that you want the drone to work in will very much impact the type and sized drone that you look to purchase. This will then impact any licence requirements for you to use it effectively.
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
Getting to know your weather indicators is an important skill to develop when flying your drone. Understand the clouds and how to read the sky. Use reliable weather sites such as the BOM (Bureau of Meteorology) to review the weather before your flight. Know the wind direction and strength. If you fly downwind to a position, you’ll have to fly back into the wind to get home. The extra battery power you save going out will be the difference between getting home or not.
1.6. Flight time and range needed
Just how much work will you need the drone to do in one session? The range will depend on how far you will be from your drone, will you be following behind in a vehicle or sitting comfortably inside while you check your property lines. The range that the drone can travel from the controller will be an influence which drone will be right for you.
The range of your drone is
not only limited by its technical specifications but also by have far you as a
pilot can see. Under Australian Air Law, a pilot must always have a visual line
of sight of the aircraft.
Check your knowledge using the quiz below.
1.7. Battery life
The battery life equals flight time, there is little benefit of a drone that can only make it halfway through the job, so being aware of what that job is and how long it will take will determine the battery requirements. Consider additional batteries that can be changed quickly, incorporate these into the budget.
The larger the device you buy the greater the number or larger the size of battery you’ll need. Just be mindful that the batteries have a finite life and to save cost don’t buy too large a device if you don’t need it. The costs of spare or replacement parts such as intelligent lithium batteries can be quite high. Also, if you are doing specialised work such as film production fully charged sets of batteries are important for long shoots. If you are traveling to regional areas, you should contact the airline prior to departure. You are only allowed to take 2 spare 100wh – 160wh as carry-on. Batteries over 160wh must be consigned to cargo. For further information click here.1.8. Operation and ease of use
Consider how easy the drone will be to learn and master. Many drones on the market are user-friendly and easy to handle through a controller or even remotely through an app.
Despite all the advanced
flights' systems and automated mission software, it’s important you can fly
your drone under your control. While the controller is in your hand and the
device is in the air you are the pilot. If any of the systems fail, it’s your
responsibility to do your best to control your device and get it down and home
safe. Just practice flying. It’s challenging at first but fun and practice does make perfect.
There’s much more satisfaction in getting your aircraft to do what you want
under your control. Knowing how to fly correctly helps you understand when some
are not right. The automated processes are just the icing on the cake.
1.9. Durability
Drones can crash and take damage from the environment so ensuring that your equipment can take what is thrown at it will be important. It also means that the drones would continue to function well in multiple scenarios, across terrains, and through adverse conditions.
1.10. Reliability
A factor to look at is reliability which means that the drones would produce consistently accurate results over time, across locations and scenarios.
There are always a few things worth running through your flight checklist before you fly.
- Batteries and controllers are charged.
- The battery is locked into the drone correctly.
- Props are correct and clean
- The take-off area is clear. - Avoid taking off and landing on loose dirt or dusty areas. The debris can suck up into the motors. This is the same for long wet grass.
- Check the weather.
- Know your flight path – What obstacles such as trees or powerlines could you encounter.
- Watch out for birds – If you encounter angry birds, you should not fly. Swarms of bees or insects can also be a problem.
- Watch your drone – Visual line of sight is a legal requirement in Australia.
- Don’t fly in restricted or no-fly zones. There are apps available to help with this as well as your onboard flight software.
- Observe and be aware of other flight traffic
https://www.ozrunways.com/au/products/rwy-efb-for-android/
For regional pilots, it would be worth exploring an Air Radio license (AROC). This license allows pilots to use the restricted VHF airband radio. In locations where low flying aircraft such as crop dusters or helicopters are present, this licence allows the pilot to send out and receive notifications via the Air Radio network within your flight path.
1.11. Availability
Would your drone be operational and functional for almost the entirety of its usage with little or no downtime? Consider what you would need to do to service or repair the drone and how long this may take it out of service.
1.12. Portability
Do you intend on carrying your drone around in, perhaps, a single bag and deployed from the spot by an operator from even a small area?
1.13. Return on investment
As with any other equipment that you buy for the business, you will need to consider how this new technology will benefit you and potentially pay for itself, either in savings of time or supporting an increase in production. By knowing the benefit, it brings, and potentially how long the technology will last, you will be able to calculate a return on this investment. Perhaps though, just making your life easier is all that you need.
1.14. Ongoing costs and maintenance
Even the best drone pilot will have accidents, and to keep your drone in working order you will need to keep up with maintenance. When purchasing a drone, make sure that spare parts are available and factor these into the ongoing costs.
1.15. Budget
Your budget will have an obvious impact on your drone selection, when thinking through your budget, make sure you consider the other aspects of operation such as software, repairs, licencing, and any other ongoing costs.
Image used under license from Shutterstock.com
1.16. Check the regulations for your area
Licencing is often based on the size of the drone. Check regulations with CASA by clicking on the link below that takes you to their website:
https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/rules/drone-types. Keeping up to date will help to ensure you are aware of anything that may limit your application.
Image used under license by Shutterstock.com
2. Topic wrap up
Complete the Activity and Discussion Forum to wrap up this chapter
Activity
End of course Wrap up Activities
Use this table to aggregate the specifications of the models you are considering for simple comparison
This is a research activity (link above) to help you with deciding on your purchase needs.
You are not required to upload this, however you are encouraged to write about your findings in the Discussion Forum found at the link below.
