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Hi
@Donnie Frank
Caveat, I'm quite new to Autopilot and may well be missing something obvious but I have a question regarding planning missions when in a remote location with no mobile/cell signal.
You mention caching the map which seems like the obvious thing to do. However I have 'Saved' my waypoint missions for a specific location and then come back to them (a few weeks later) and while I get the waypoints in the correct geolocation (I think, or at least in the right part of the world) I get no map detail...
- Is there a way to save planned missions with map detail for a prolonged period (until I delete)?.. That fact that it "disappears" over time and I don't know why worries me.
- It mentions in the 'Tutorial' using map tiles saved to an external server.. This sounds interesting, as one could map an isolated area on a recce to great detail and then preplan on this in AP and use once in the filed as long as there is GPS - I'm hoping?
- If you find yourself in the field without a clear visually detailed map (green blob!), I'm assuming I can still 'use the aircrafts location' to drop waypoints in three dimensional space and create a specific mission/move (as long as I have GPS lock).
Some of the above I can test and I will but I thought I'd ask more experienced pilots for feedback and workflows that I might not have considered before I run off down rabbit holes!
Many thanks
Ben
Hey Ben. It's kind of tough to answer your question because I'm not sure we use our Autopilots the same way....so I don't think I can answer your questions directly. However, I can share information that might help.
For any aerial mission I do, I always assume that I'm going to be in a remote location beyond cell service. This is a VERY good paradigm, as sometimes cell service just stops, even if you're in range. That said...
I write my Autopilot missions at home, and then perfect them in the field. This can be time consuming if you're doing fully automated missions, which include camera movement. But there's good news. Once a mission is complete, perfected and tested, you can upload it to the Autopilot servers. Of course, you have to have Internet access, so I just wait until I get home. That said...
The missions do NOT save map data. But I have good news. Simply load the mission at your house before you leave, and it will work with Google Maps to load map data. Once you have this data, simply pause your iPad (don't shut it down). Once you reopen the mission on site, the map data will be there.
Should your iPad die, purchase another iPad, load the Autopilot program, log in to Autopilot, and all your missions will automatically load!
So...I THINK this answers your questions on how to insure mission integrity AND make sure you have maps on site.
Bonus: You can load and close several missions. They will all hold on to map data.
Short answers to your questions:
1. No.
2. I don't know.
3. Yes.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Donnie