GIS for Drone Pilots using QGIS (w/ Airspace Data Template) from Udemy

GIS and Drone Technologies are both powerful tools for assisting people in analyzing the world we inhabit. Whether you are someone with GIS skills looking to add drones to your toolbelt, or a drone pilot who wants to level up their deliverable products, you are in the right place. Both these skills require very similar mindsets, such as an attention to detail, focus and accuracy. If you can do one, you can do the other, so why not do both.

This course is best for those who have some familiarity with either GIS concepts or drone mapping, or those that are comfortable in learning new software packages. The course is perfect for those who have drone data that they have collected and want to analyze it beyond running it through Drone Deploy and the like. Using your DEM data, you will learn to create elevation contours, calculate the terrain's steepness and which way the sun is hitting the ground. You will also learn the skills to go online and acquire existing data layers such as town boundaries, watershed areas, and streams and overlay them atop your orthomosaics. From there, you add professional borders, titles, scale bars and your logo and produce professional client deliverables, thereby surpassing your competition.

And possibly saving the best for last, this course includes a treasure trove of GIS data from the FAA. In the lecture resources section, you will find a Geopackage and QGIS Project file with over a dozen pre-symbolized layers including labeled Classed Airspace polygons () and airport locations. You will learn how to overlay these shapes atop dozens of basemaps, including aerial photos, open street map data, and Sectional Charts. Just the ability to produce custom, titled, scaled, centered Sectionals is worth the modest investment. Your deliverable game is about to take off.

If you are a GIS professional with an interest in drones, or a drone pilot with an interest in producing better deliverables, this course is for you.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn how to analyze drone data with gis software to take you to the next level
Use drone data to create contour lines, hillshades, slope calculations and slope aspects

Create custom map pages for client reports
Create posters of orthomosaics

Learn how to analyze drone data with gis software to take you to the next level
Use drone data to create contour lines, hillshades, slope calculations and slope aspects
Create custom map pages for client reports
Create posters of orthomosaics

Syllabus

Understand what GIS actually is, and how to navigate QGIS

Downloading QGIS

What is GIS Anyways?

The QGIS Main Screen and GUI

Creating a Project Location Point Using Google Earth

Acquire other freely available data sets that can augment your drone data

Adding Basemaps with XYZ Tiles

Digital Elevation Models from NRCS

Getting US Census TIGER files

Free GIS Data Website

Take the data you analyzed in QGIS and create a printable, organized and professionally looking deliverable

Map Layout Basics

Adjusting Scale Texts and Bars

Layout Templates

Adding Your Logo

Adding Images

Adjusting Your Latitude and Longitude Grid Labels

Layout Guides and Snapping

Exporting Map Images and PDFs

Take the DEM data you gathered with your drone and create add-on data products for clients

Slope Calculations

Slope Aspect Calculations

Hillshading

Calculating Contour Lines

Better plan your upcoming flight with the Measuring Tool and the Buffer Tool as well as visualize you flight track

The QGIS Measuring Tool

Calculating Line of Sight (LOS) with Buffers

Mapping Flight Data

Download and navigate FAA Sectional data to make custom airspace maps, depending on your mission needs.

Here you will find the QGIS Map Template files. The MasterTemplate.qgz is the QGIS file that you open with QGIS. The DroneMappingTemplate.gpkg is the data file that contains the airport and airspace data.

A Tour of the Map Template

Fine Tuning Text Labels

Avoid some common pitfalls (flack from surveyors and projection system issues) and understand what ODM can do for you

A Word of Caution on Accuracy vs. Precision When Using GIS

A Note on Projection Systems

A Quick Look at Open Drone Map

Thanks!!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Combines GIS and drone technologies, which are powerful tools for analyzing the world and creating professional deliverables, thereby surpassing the competition

Teaches how to analyze drone data beyond basic processing, such as creating elevation contours and calculating terrain steepness, which enhances data interpretation

Includes a treasure trove of FAA GIS data, including pre-symbolized layers of airspace and airport locations, which is valuable for flight planning and safety

Explores the QGIS measuring tool and buffer tool, which can be used to calculate line of sight and map flight data for better flight planning

Requires familiarity with GIS concepts or drone mapping, or comfort learning new software, which may pose a challenge for complete beginners

Discusses accuracy vs precision and projection systems, which are important considerations but may require additional research for full comprehension

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in GIS for Drone Pilots using QGIS (w/ Airspace Data Template) with these activities:

Review GIS Fundamentals

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Reinforce your understanding of core GIS principles to better grasp how drone data integrates with GIS workflows.

Browse courses on Geographic Information Systems

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Review basic GIS concepts like projections, coordinate systems, and data types.
Practice using GIS software to perform simple spatial analysis tasks.
Familiarize yourself with common GIS data formats like shapefiles and GeoTIFFs.

Read 'GIS for Dummies'

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Gain a foundational understanding of GIS principles to better understand how drone data is processed and analyzed.

View Choosing Your Battles: American Civil-Military... on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on chapters related to data types, projections, and spatial analysis.
Take notes on key concepts and definitions.
Try to relate the concepts to drone data and its applications.

Follow QGIS Tutorials on DEM Analysis

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Enhance your skills in DEM analysis within QGIS, directly applicable to processing drone-derived elevation data.

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Search for online tutorials specifically focused on DEM analysis in QGIS.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, focusing on creating contours, hillshades, and slope calculations.
Apply the techniques learned to a sample DEM dataset.

Four other activities

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Practice Georeferencing Drone Imagery

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Improve your ability to accurately georeference drone imagery, a crucial step in creating accurate maps and models.

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Obtain a set of unreferenced drone images and corresponding ground control points (GCPs).
Use QGIS to georeference the images using the GCPs.
Evaluate the accuracy of the georeferencing process.

Create a Custom Airspace Map

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Solidify your understanding of FAA sectional data and QGIS map creation by producing a custom airspace map.

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Download FAA sectional data for your area of interest.
Import the data into QGIS and customize the symbology.
Add labels and annotations to highlight key airspace features.
Create a map layout with a title, scale bar, and legend.
Export the map as a PDF for printing or sharing.

Drone Mapping Project: Local Park

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Apply your GIS and drone data processing skills to a real-world project, creating a comprehensive map of a local park.

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Plan a drone flight to capture aerial imagery of a local park.
Process the drone imagery to create an orthomosaic and DEM.
Use QGIS to analyze the data, creating contour lines, hillshades, and slope calculations.
Overlay existing data layers, such as park boundaries and trails.
Create a professional map layout for presentation.

Read 'Mastering QGIS'

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Deepen your QGIS skills and explore advanced features for processing and analyzing drone data.

View Mastering QGIS on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on chapters related to spatial analysis, data management, and map creation.
Try out the examples and exercises provided in the book.
Explore advanced QGIS features that are relevant to drone data processing.

Career center

Learners who complete GIS for Drone Pilots using QGIS (w/ Airspace Data Template) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Drone Data Analyst

A Drone Data Analyst specializes in processing and interpreting data gathered by drones, converting it into actionable insights and deliverables. This course directly teaches using GIS software, such as QGIS, to analyze drone imagery to create elevation products, slope calculations, and contour lines. This is precisely the work a Drone Data Analyst performs. The ability to overlay FAA airspace data is invaluable for mission planning and ensuring safe drone operations. This course uniquely combines drone data with advanced spatial analysis, vital for success as a Drone Data Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Drone Data Analyst

Geographic Information Systems Specialist

A Geographic Information Systems Specialist works with geographic data, utilizing GIS software to create maps, perform analysis, and manage spatial information. This course provides hands-on experience with QGIS, a preferred software for GIS specialists, and teaches how to analyze drone-captured data. Furthermore, this course covers crucial techniques like creating contour lines, slope calculations, and overlaying different data sets, to become a more complete Geographic Information Systems Specialist. The inclusion of FAA airspace data in the course allows one to make customized maps for drone operations, which is a distinct advantage.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geographic Information Systems Specialist

Geospatial Analyst

A Geospatial Analyst uses geographic information systems to analyze spatial data, often creating maps and reports to inform decision making. This course directly equips analysts with skills in QGIS, a crucial GIS software for visualizing and analyzing drone-collected data. You will learn to create elevation contours, calculate terrain steepness, and overlay various data layers, skills essential for producing comprehensive geospatial analysis. Furthermore, the course's emphasis on creating professional map deliverables, including borders, titles, and scale bars, allows Geospatial Analysts to create refined and impactful visualizations for presentations and reports.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geospatial Analyst

Mapping Technician

A Mapping Technician is responsible for creating maps and other cartographic products, often by using specialized software and techniques to compile geographic information. This course teaches the use of QGIS software to produce maps using drone-collected data, which is a core part of a Mapping Technician's work. This course guides participants through the process of creating map layouts, adjusting scale bars, and adding necessary elements, including your company's logo. These map-making skills are fundamental for a Mapping Technician, and the course also helps prepare them for advanced techniques including slope analysis and contour generation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mapping Technician

Cartographer

A Cartographer is a professional who designs and creates maps, charts, and other visual representations of spatial data. This course helps you learn to use QGIS to analyze drone-collected data, allowing you to produce detailed maps and other cartographic deliverables. By learning to create contour lines, hillshades, and slope calculations, you will master techniques that cartographers use to represent terrain features. This course provides the skills to augment drone data with professional borders, titles, and your logo, as expected of any Cartographer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cartographer

Surveying Technician

A Surveying Technician assists surveyors in collecting and analyzing field data and preparing maps, reports, and other documents. This course provides a foundation in the GIS tools and skills necessary to process and present spatial data efficiently, which would allow any surveying technician to improve their deliverables. Skills that one will acquire include slope and aspect calculations, as well as contour line generation. These skills are essential for a Surveying Technician looking to use drone data to enhance their work. The course also has a section on common pitfalls related to surveying accuracy, making this course particularly useful for a Surveying Technician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Surveying Technician

Flight Operations Specialist

A Flight Operations Specialist works to ensure that pilots and drone operators follow safe and efficient procedures, and that they understand logistical and regulatory matters. This course will be quite useful, as it features FAA airspace data and teaches how to overlay airspace boundaries and airport locations onto various base maps. This course goes into detail about avoiding common pitfalls related to mapping and projection systems, which the Flight Operations Specialist will be expected to resolve. This course is particularly useful for anyone who needs to understand the regulatory restrictions on drone operations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Flight Operations Specialist

GIS Instructor

A GIS Instructor educates and trains others on the theory and application of geographic information systems. This course helps GIS Instructors better understand the practical application of GIS software with specific use cases. By going through the process of analyzing drone data, including the creation of slope and aspect maps, you will gain experience in using QGIS to solve real-world problems. Furthermore, learning to create custom map layouts with professional elements can help you to prepare course materials. This course provides the practical experience that a GIS Instructor might need, which will greatly enhance the quality of your instruction.

See salaries and explore the career path for GIS Instructor

Remote Sensing Specialist

A Remote Sensing Specialist analyzes imagery and data collected from satellites, drones, and other platforms for various applications, including environmental monitoring and urban planning. This course is an ideal starting point for a Remote Sensing Specialist who wants to leverage drone data, providing instruction on using QGIS to process drone-collected data. You will learn how to generate elevation models and perform terrain analysis, such as calculating slope and aspect, which are key components of remote sensing analysis. The course also prepares students to create professional map products, skills which Remote Sensing Specialists use daily.

See salaries and explore the career path for Remote Sensing Specialist

Precision Agriculture Specialist

Precision Agriculture Specialists apply technology and data analysis to improve farming practices, including soil and crop management. This course empowers the Precision Agriculture Specialist to use drone data with QGIS to analyze terrain and create detailed maps showcasing elevation, slope, and aspect. You will learn to enhance analysis by overlaying farm boundaries, soil data, and water resources, providing richer context. These techniques help optimize fertilizer, pesticide, and water use, as well as improve crop yield and environmental sustainability. This course gives Precision Agriculture Specialists the basis for improved, data-driven recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Precision Agriculture Specialist

Urban Planner

An Urban Planner develops plans for land use and community development, taking into account various factors like infrastructure, environment, and demographics. This course may be useful to an Urban Planner as it teaches to use various GIS software tools to analyze spatial data, including that collected from drones. You will learn to create professional-looking map layouts using orthomosaics, which you can then use to present your project details to stakeholders. The course also teaches you how to overlay geographic data layers, including town boundaries and watershed areas, which greatly aids Urban Planners in assessing the impact of projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Natural Resources Manager

A Natural Resources Manager is responsible for planning and overseeing the use of natural resources such as forests, wildlife, and water. This course may be useful because it provides a means to improve the processing of drone data in support of managing natural resources. For instance, the course can help you to create elevation contours, calculate terrain steepness, and map watershed areas. By combining drone-derived data with existing data layers in QGIS, a Natural Resources Manager can gain better insights into resource availability and environmental changes. This will help you make informed decisions about resource use.

See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Resources Manager

Environmental Consultant

An Environmental Consultant provides expertise to assess environmental impacts, manage natural resources, and advise on sustainability practices. This course may be useful for an Environmental Consultant seeking to integrate drone data into their analyses. The course provides skills for analyzing drone data, creating elevation contours, and calculating terrain features, to produce maps that may be used in reports. The ability to overlay data such as town boundaries, watershed areas, and streams alongside drone data helps provide a more comprehensive analysis for environmental consulting projects, and provides a basis for many reports.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Construction Site Manager

A Construction Site Manager oversees daily operations on construction sites, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and according to specifications. This course may be useful, as a Construction Site Manager can use drone data to monitor site progress, track material inventory, and create topographic maps. By learning to use QGIS, you can create slope calculation maps and perform terrain analysis on your construction site. This will lead to a more sophisticated understanding of the project at hand. You will also be able to generate professional maps of the construction site, which can be used to provide project status updates to stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Construction Site Manager

Emergency Management Specialist

An Emergency Management Specialist coordinates responses to natural disasters and other emergencies, working to ensure public safety and preparedness. This course may help an Emergency Management Specialist better understand how drone data can help map out impacted areas, assess infrastructure damage, and plan for resource allocation. The ability to create custom maps with flight data, overlaid with FAA airspace data, can improve mission planning and resource deployments. By adding crucial geographic context to drone images, this course can help enhance situational awareness and support more effective emergency response efforts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Emergency Management Specialist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in GIS for Drone Pilots using QGIS (w/ Airspace Data Template).

Mastering QGIS

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Comprehensive guide to QGIS, covering a wide range of topics from basic map creation to advanced spatial analysis techniques. It valuable resource for those who want to deepen their understanding of QGIS and its capabilities. While the course provides an introduction to QGIS, this book offers more in-depth coverage and practical examples. It is commonly used by GIS professionals and students alike.

Mastering QGIS

Kindle Edition

Choosing Your Battles

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Provides a broad overview of GIS concepts and applications, making it a useful resource for those new to the field. It covers essential topics such as data acquisition, spatial analysis, and map creation in an accessible manner. While not specific to drone data, it provides a solid foundation for understanding the GIS principles used in the course. It is particularly helpful for those who lack prior experience with GIS software or geospatial data.

Choosing Your Battles: American Civil-Military...

Paperback

Choosing Your Battles: American Civil-Military...

Kindle Edition

GIS for Drone Pilots using QGIS (w/ Airspace Data Template)

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Activities

Career center

Reading list

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