Project 1 – Wingtra Mission Planning
Atlantic Cape Community College Baseball Field
Project Name: Atlantic Cape Baseball Field Mapping
Mission Date: 10/19/2026
Mission Time: 11:00 AM
Mission Objective: Collect high-resolution aerial imagery using a WingtraOne GEN II VTOL to generate an accurate orthomosaic and 3D elevation models of the campus baseball field.
Pilot in Command (PIC): Dan Devlin
Visual Observer(s): Dennis
Mission Area: Atlantic Cape Community College Baseball Field (5100 Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ 08330)
Expected Deliverables: Orthomosaic, Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Point Cloud, and a Processing Quality Report via DroneDeploy.
Site Description: An athletic baseball field with a grass outfield, dirt infield, and surrounding chain-link fencing.
Accessibility: Easily accessible via campus perimeter roads and adjacent parking lots.
Terrain Conditions: Flat, well-maintained athletic turf and dirt.
Obstacles: Tall stadium light poles, backstop fencing, scoreboards, nearby bleachers, and surrounding mature trees.
Hazards: Pedestrian traffic (students/staff), vehicular traffic in nearby parking lots, and potential athletic activities.
Launch and Recovery Areas: The primary area will be the center outfield (clear grass). The alternate area will be the adjacent intramural/soccer field if the baseball field is occupied.
Airspace Classification: Primarily Class G at the surface, though the campus is in close proximity (~9 miles) to the Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) Class C airspace.
Nearby Airports: Atlantic City International Airport (ACY).
Airspace Authorization Requirements: Verify and obtain a LAANC authorization if the exact flight radius intersects the ACY controlled airspace grid.
NOTAM Review: To be checked via FAA Leidos/1800wxbrief within 24 hours of the flight.
Operational Restrictions: Standard FAA Part 107 rules apply. Maximum altitude is 400 ft AGL, visual line of sight (VLOS) must be maintained, and you may not fly over non-participating people.
Hazard
Likelihood
Severity
Risk Level
Mitigation Strategy
Stadium Light Poles
Possible
High
Medium
Set the mission altitude to 250 ft AGL, safely clearing the highest poles.
Pedestrians/Athletes
Likely
High
High
Schedule flight during off-hours; use Visual Observers to secure the perimeter.
Wind Gusts
Possible
Medium
Low
Verify weather pre-flight; limit operations if gusts exceed Wingtra's 12 m/s limit.
Bird Strikes
Possible
High
Medium
PIC and VO will continuously scan airspace; PIC will take manual control if a flock approaches.
Loss of Link (C2)
Unlikely
High
Medium
Pre-program an obstacle-free Return-to-Home (RTH) altitude in WingtraHub.
(Note: These are industry-standard settings optimized for a Sony A6000 camera mapping an athletic field)
Flight Altitude: 250 ft (Provides safe clearance over light poles while maintaining excellent resolution).
Front Overlap (%): 75% (Standard for orthomosaic generation on flat terrain).
Side Overlap (%): 70% (Standard lateral overlap to ensure point cloud density).
Ground Sampling Distance (GSD): ~1.2 cm/px (Optimal resolution for the 24MP Sony A6000 at this altitude).
Estimated Flight Time: 5–8 minutes.
Estimated Number of Images: 80–120 images.
Coverage Area: ~5–10 acres (Includes the field and a slight overflight buffer).
Flight Line Count: 4–6 lines.
Camera Payload: Sony A6000.
Number of Batteries Required: 1 set (2 batteries) for the flight, plus 1 backup set.
Forecast Wind Direction/Speed/Gusts: TAF KACY 130530Z 1306/1406 VRB02KT P6SM FEW250
Accuracy Goals: The objective of this ground control network is to ensure high global and relative accuracy for the final orthomosaic and elevation models. Expected horizontal and vertical accuracy should be within 1–2 times the Ground Sampling Distance (GSD), independently verified by the checkpoints.
Ground Control Point (GCP) Locations & Rationale: The 5 GCPs are distributed along the perimeter and interior of the mapping area to properly anchor the photogrammetric model.
GCP-1: Located behind home plate near the backstop.
Rationale: Anchors the field's critical infrastructure and ensures high accuracy near the area with the most distinct features. Highly visible and easily accessible.
GCP-2: Located near the left field foul pole.
Rationale: Provides boundary coverage for the western/northwestern edge of the mapping area.
GCP-3: Located near the right field foul pole.
Rationale: Provides boundary coverage for the eastern/northeastern edge of the mapping area, preventing model warping at the edges.
GCP-4: Located along the centerfield fence.
Rationale: Anchors the far northern boundary of the mission area, completing the perimeter control.
GCP-5: Located near the pitcher's mound / second base area.
Rationale: Provides interior coverage in the center of the site, ensuring the elevation model does not "bow" or warp in the middle of the field.
Checkpoint (CP) Locations & Rationale: The 2 CPs are placed inside the project area but away from the GCPs to provide a blind, independent accuracy assessment.
CP-1: Located in shallow left-center field.
Rationale: Sits roughly halfway between the infield GCPs and the outfield boundary GCPs to verify accuracy in a homogeneous grass area.
CP-2: Located in shallow right-center field.
Rationale: Balances the checkpoint distribution on the opposite side of the field, providing a second independent point to evaluate horizontal and vertical accuracy.
WingtraOne GEN II Airframe
Sony A6000 Camera Payload
Flight Batteries & Charger
Controller Tablet & Telemetry Radio
Formatted SD Memory Cards
High-Visibility Safety Vests & Safety Glasses
First-Aid Kit
Ground Control Targets (7 total)
RTK/Survey Rover (for measuring GCPs/CPs)
Anemometer (Wind meter)
Surface Wind Evaluation: Sustained winds must be < 10 m/s (22 mph).
Gust Evaluation: Wind gusts must be < 12 m/s (26 mph).
Visibility Requirements: Minimum 3 Statute Miles.
Cloud Ceiling Considerations: Drone must remain at least 500 ft below the cloud ceiling.
Lighting Conditions: Mid-day preferred (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM) to minimize long shadows from the stadium lights and trees.
Temperature Considerations: Standard operating range (-10°C to 40°C).
Precipitation Limitations: Absolutely no precipitation; WingtraOne is not waterproof.
Primary Launch Area: Center outfield grass.
Primary Recovery Area: Center outfield grass.
Alternate Launch/Recovery Area: Adjacent open multi-purpose field.
Emergency Landing Areas: Open turf away from parking lots and campus buildings.
Wind Direction Assessment: Wingtra takes off and lands vertically. During the transition to forward flight, the aircraft must face into the prevailing wind.
Need to Reposition Operations: If wind shifts by more than 45 degrees, the transition direction must be updated in WingtraHub before launch.
Lost Link Procedures: Aircraft will autonomously climb to the designated safe altitude, navigate to the home point, and initiate an automatic vertical landing.
Emergency Contacts: Atlantic Cape Campus Security, Local ATC (if applicable).
Parameter
Condition
Status
Wind / Gusts
Within limits (<10 m/s sustained)
[ ] Pass
Visibility / Clouds
> 3 SM, clear of clouds
[ ] Pass
Airspace
Checked / LAANC Approved
[ ] Pass
Hardware
Calibrated, batteries 100%
[ ] Pass
Area Clear
No non-participants in flight path
[ ] Pass
DECISION: [ GO / GO WITH MITIGATIONS / NO-GO ]
Justification: [Leave blank to fill out on the day of the flight]
Area Secure: Launch/recovery zone clear of personnel.
Hardware: Inspect the airframe for cracks; secure the props and ensure they are undamaged.
Payload: Sony A6000 secured, lens cap off, SD card formatted and inserted.
Sensors: Pitot tube clear of debris.
Power: Insert fully charged batteries; power on aircraft.
Telemetry: Establish connection between tablet and drone; verify GPS lock.
Software: Upload WingtraHub flight plan; verify transition direction matches the wind.
Final Check: Perform control surface check; verbally call out "CLEAR."