What is drone mission planning software?

Drone mission planning software lets commercial drone operators design automated flight paths before takeoff. You define survey areas, set altitude and camera parameters, and the software generates optimized waypoint routes. Dronelytics adds real-time FAA airspace data so you can plan compliant missions with LAANC zones, TFRs, and restricted areas visible on the map.

Yes. Dronelytics is free during open beta with no credit card required. All mission types, airspace layers, and features including terrain follow are included at no cost. Founding members will receive locked-in pricing when paid plans launch.

What airspace data does Dronelytics show?

Dronelytics displays 7 FAA airspace data layers: LAANC authorization ceilings, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), Special Use Airspace (SUAs), military operation areas, stadium flight restrictions, FRIA boundaries for recreational flyers, and National Security UAS Flight Restriction areas (NSUFR).

What drones are compatible with Dronelytics?

Dronelytics supports DJI, Autel Robotics, PX4 Autopilot, and ArduPilot platforms. Mission plans can be exported for use with these drone systems.

What is terrain follow in drone mission planning?

Terrain follow (also called AGL or above-ground-level mode) automatically adjusts waypoint altitudes to maintain a constant height above the ground across hilly or uneven terrain. Without terrain follow, a drone flying at a fixed altitude gets closer to the ground on upslopes and farther away on downslopes, degrading photo quality and risking collision. Dronelytics includes terrain follow for free — competitors like Dronelink charge $18/month extra for this feature.

What mission types can I plan with Dronelytics?

Dronelytics supports rectangle grid, polygon grid, and circle grid surveys for area mapping; orbit, spiral, and panorama missions for point-of-interest inspection; and corridor and waypoint paths for linear features like roads and pipelines. Pre-built templates are available for real estate aerial photography, roof inspection, construction progress, agricultural surveys, property boundaries, tower inspection, stockpile volume measurement, and linear corridor mapping.

Drone Mission Planning Checklist: Pre-Flight to Post-Processing

The difference between a smooth commercial drone job and a scramble at the job site is usually a checklist. Forgot to format the SD card. Missed a TFR that appeared overnight. Did not check the LAANC ceiling. Left the spare batteries on the charger.

This drone mission planning checklist covers the full workflow - from planning at your desk to packing up after the flight. Bookmark it, print it, tape it inside your drone case.

Part 1: Pre-Flight Checklist

Before you leave for the job site

Mission Planning

Survey area defined and boundary drawn in mission planner
Grid type selected (rectangle, polygon, or circle) - see grid survey tutorial
Grid parameters set - overlap, altitude, speed, camera angle
Terrain follow enabled (if site has elevation changes)
Estimated flight time calculated and compared to battery capacity
Mission saved to library

Airspace Verification

Airspace class checked at job site - see airspace guide
LAANC authorization obtained (if in controlled airspace)
Active TFRs checked - see TFR guide
NOTAMs reviewed for flight area
Stadium event schedule checked (if within 4 miles of a major venue)

Equipment Preparation

Drone visually inspected - no visible damage to airframe
All batteries fully charged (aircraft + controller + phone/tablet)
Spare batteries charged and packed
SD card formatted (or fresh card inserted)
Spare SD card packed
Spare propellers packed
Lens/sensor cleaned
Controller charged and cables verified

Regulatory

Part 107 certificate on hand (physical or digital copy)
Remote ID module installed and functioning
Waivers on hand if operating under Part 107 waiver
Drone registration current and visible on aircraft
Insurance documentation accessible

Part 2: On-Site Checklist

At the job site, before takeoff

Aircraft Inspection

Propellers inspected - no nicks, chips, or cracks; securely attached
Motors spin freely with no grinding or unusual resistance
Battery firmly seated and latched - no swelling or damage
Gimbal and camera functioning - lens clean, gimbal moves freely
Landing gear intact and stable
Payload properly mounted and within weight limits

Software and Systems

Drone firmware is current (do not update in the field)
Controller firmware matches drone firmware
GPS lock acquired - minimum 8 satellites before takeoff
Compass calibrated (if location change since last flight)
Return-to-home altitude set above tallest obstacle in area
Mission loaded and flight path verified on screen
SD card confirmed - recording test photo/video

Environment and Site

Wind speed checked - within aircraft operating limits
Wind gusts below 75% of aircraft max wind rating
No precipitation - current or forecast within flight window
Visibility sufficient for visual line of sight operations
Obstacles identified - power lines, trees, buildings, antennas, cranes
Takeoff and landing area clear and level
Bystanders and non-participants at safe distance
Emergency landing areas identified

Final Airspace Re-Check

TFRs re-checked immediately before launch
LAANC authorization confirmed and valid for current time window
No new NOTAMs affecting the area

This is the step most operators skip. A TFR issued at 7 AM will catch a pilot who checked airspace at 6 PM the night before.

Plan your mission before the pre-flight.

Free

Part 3: Post-Flight Checklist

After landing - 5 minutes that prevent problems on the next job

Aircraft Inspection

Visual inspection for any new damage (propellers, arms, landing gear)
Battery removed and placed on cool-down surface
Battery charge level noted for cycle tracking
Propellers checked for wear - replace at any sign of damage
Motors checked - listen for new sounds during brief manual spin
Lens/sensor inspected for debris or damage

Data Management

Photos/video confirmed on SD card (spot-check a few images)
SD card removed and backed up to laptop or portable drive
Mission data exported/saved from planning app
Raw files labeled with job name, date, and location

Documentation

Flight log entry completed - date, time, location, aircraft, pilot, flight time
Airspace authorization reference number documented
Weather conditions at time of flight noted
Any incidents, near-misses, or unusual events documented in detail
Client-specific notes recorded

See our guide to choosing a flight logging platform for logging tool recommendations.

Maintenance

Total flight hours updated for this aircraft
Battery cycle count updated for each battery used
Next scheduled maintenance checked
Any issues noted for follow-up before next flight
Equipment packed and secured for transport

Building the Habit

A checklist only works if you use it every time. The first few flights, you will read every item deliberately. After 20-30 flights, the physical inspection becomes muscle memory and the entire pre-flight takes 5 minutes.

The items that never become automatic - airspace checks and TFR verification - are the ones that matter most. Airspace data changes. Your inspection routine should not.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a pre-flight check take?

A thorough pre-flight check takes 5-10 minutes. With practice, you will memorize most items and the physical inspection becomes a 3-minute habit. The airspace and TFR check adds 1-2 minutes. Do not skip it to save time - the items on this checklist exist because skipping them has caused real problems for real operators.

Do I need a checklist for every flight?

Yes. Aviation uses checklists for a reason - even experienced pilots miss steps without one. Commercial drone operations carry liability. A missed airspace check or overlooked TFR can result in FAA enforcement, insurance denial, or worse. The checklist is your proof of due diligence.

What should I do if I find an issue during pre-flight?

Ground the aircraft and fix the issue before flying. A damaged propeller, swollen battery, or firmware mismatch is not something to fly through. Rescheduling a job costs far less than a crash, an insurance claim, or an FAA investigation.

Plan Your Next Mission

A good checklist starts with a good mission plan. Dronelytics handles the planning side - airspace awareness, grid surveys, terrain follow, and mission templates.

Free — no credit card required.