Non-Negotiables
These rules exist because breaking them causes mission failures. No exceptions.
Always wait for GPS stabilisation (~32 satellites)
Treat battery swaps as full reset events
Lock exposure before takeoff, never change mid-mission
Enable screen recording for every mission
Never mark tower before GPS is stable
Never skip QC checks before leaving site
Never oversize obstacles "just to be safe"
Obstacle Avoidance & MSA
Do NOT rely on obstacle avoidance
You remain the RPIC at all times. The M3E can be expected NOT to detect thin objects — Yagi antennas, powerlines, branches.
Set the MSA ABOVE any powerlines (10–15m recommended)
Enable Obstacle Avoidance in DJI Pilot 2 — Brake, all directions
Braking distance 0.6m / warning distance 1.2m (adjust as needed)
Review the 3D mission flight path vs marked obstacles BEFORE flight
Give marked obstacles a boundary buffer of 1m or more
Be ready to pause the mission and negotiate obstacles manually, then resume
Never rely on sensors near reflective, transparent or pure-colour surfaces
Never expect detection in low light (<15 lux) or above 15 m/s
Full guidance
Read "How to Capture – Obstacle Avoidance" on the SiteSee knowledge base (see Tools & Links) before your next capture.
Sensor Calibration
SiteSee assumes calibrated hardware. Calibration affects location data — critical for digital twin capture.
Compass: calibrate before capture, and after each battery change before stabilisation
IMU: calibrate before your first capture, and after travelling far (e.g. interstate)
Gimbal: auto-calibrate on a flat, level surface if the horizon looks tilted
Vision sensors: calibrate via DJI Assistant 2 (Enterprise) if OA acts erratically
Never calibrate the compass near powerlines, metal structures or reinforced concrete
Never calibrate the IMU on a vibrating surface
Battery Swap Checklist
Every battery change is a potential failure point. Follow this sequence:
- 1Land drone safely
- 2Swap to fresh battery
- 3Power on and wait for boot
- 4Calibrate compass (away from metal/powerlines)
- 5Start GPS timer (2 min minimum)
- 6Verify camera settings unchanged
- 7Re-centre tower marker
- 8Resume mission
GPS Stabilisation
~32 Satellites
Target lock before marking tower
2–5 Minutes
Minimum wait time after power on
How to Verify
- • Check satellite count on controller
- • Position should stop drifting on map
- • "GPS Ready" or equivalent indicator
Exposure Rules
Mode
Manual
White Balance
Daylight / Fixed K
Golden Rule
Set exposure on the ground. Lock it. Don't touch it until the mission is complete.
Verify proper exposure before takeoff
Keep settings consistent across battery swaps
Never use Auto in the field
Before Leaving Site
Quick spot-check to avoid return trips:
Exposure consistent across all captures
Tower centred in all mission components
No visible drift after battery changes
All planned components completed
Screen recording saved and backed up
Field operations reference