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Flight planning, merits and limitations

Short answer

Flight planning considers photo scale, overlaps (60% end, 25-30% side), flying height, ground control layout, weather, and aircraft/camera specs. Merits: rapid large-area mapping, permanent record, safe access to difficult terrain. Limitations: high cost, weather dependence, need for ground control, hidden details under vegetation and shadows.

What are the consideration of flight planning and explain merits and limitation of photogrammetry.

Considerations in flight planning

  • Purpose, scale and accuracy: decide the photo scale S=f/HS = f/H, the camera focal length and the flying height H=f/SH = f/S.
  • Area and flight lines: draw parallel strips, usually along the longer side, to reduce turns.
  • Overlap: end lap about 60 % and side lap about 25–30 %.
  • Air base and number of photos: computed from the ground coverage per photo and the overlaps.
  • Ground control: planned and signalised before the flight.
  • Weather and season: clear sky, no haze, minimum cloud shadows; sun angle of about 30–40°; low foliage season if the ground is to be seen.
  • Aircraft and camera: speed, endurance, stability, tilt below 3°, and navigation (GPS).
  • Cost and time: economic block layout to minimise flying time.

Merits of photogrammetry

  • Fast and economical for large areas.
  • Gives a permanent record and uniform accuracy.
  • Maps inaccessible or dangerous areas safely.
  • Many products from one set of photos: maps, DEMs, orthophotos.

Limitations

  • Costly equipment and trained staff; not economical for small areas.
  • Weather dependent; hidden areas under trees, shadows and buildings.
  • Ground control and field checking are still required.
  • Accuracy is affected by tilt, relief displacement and camera quality.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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