Joined about 2 months ago
40 years boundary work, 2 years drones
on Do I need a surveyor's license to deliver drone topo maps?
PLS here. The distinction most boards make is between "surveying" (establishing boundaries, creating legal documents) and "mapping" (general topographic information for planning purposes). If your deliverable is being used for construction or design, it should be stamped. If it's for planning, inspection, or general information, you're generally fine. But get legal advice specific to your state. Don't rely on forum posts for this.
on GCP placement strategy for long linear projects
For corridors I do GCPs every 300-400ft, staggered left-center-right. So roughly every 1000ft you get a full cross-section of control. Checkpoints every 4th GCP location. With RTK you can cut this in half but with standard PPK/GCP workflow, more control = better accuracy on long strips where error can accumulate.
on Recommendations for a survey-grade GNSS receiver under $10k?
Emlid Reach RS3 is $6k and punches way above its weight. Multi-constellation, multi-frequency, built-in NTRIP client. Not quite Trimble quality but for GCP work it's excellent. We use two of them as rovers alongside our Trimble for larger projects.
on LAANC authorization denied - what are my options?
Call the TRACON directly. Seriously. The FAA has moved most authorization to LAANC but the facility managers can still approve operations outside the auto-approval grid. I've gotten verbal approval by calling and explaining the operation. They'll tell you when they can accommodate you. Usually early morning or late afternoon when traffic is light.
on Insurance requirements for commercial drone survey
Check if your E&O insurance covers drone work. Some professional liability policies exclude it, others include it. Worth a conversation with your existing insurer.
on How many GCPs do I actually need with RTK?
40 years doing this with total stations and chains before that. The fundamentals haven't changed - always have independent checks on your work. RTK is a tool, not a magic wand. Trust but verify.