Path Mission

Guide on how to make a Path mission using Waypoints on the FlytBase dashboard.

A Path Mission refers to a predefined flight operation where the drone follows a specific route mapped out using waypoints. The drone can perform certain actions at waypoints, and adjust speed and altitude while traveling between them. This mission type is essential for tasks that require precise movement along a designated path, offering control over the drone's flight pattern.

Path Mission Planning

  • Inside the Navigation Drawer, select the Missions tab under the Planning section.

Navigating to Mission Planning section
  • Click onicon to add mission.

Adding a Mission
Path Mission

Creating a new Path Mission

  • Under the Path Mission section, select + Create mission tab.

Creating a Path Mission
  • Provide a name for the new mission.

Adding a mission name
  • Select the Site you want the mission to be a part of. Only members of the site selected will have access to the mission for drone operations. Refer to the following documentation to know more:

Site Management
Adding a 'Site' to a particular mission

You can add a mission to multiple Sites.

  • Assign Tags to your mission for better mission management.

Assigning 'Tags' to your Mission

To learn about mission management, please refer to the following documentation.

Mission Management
  • Left-click on the map to add a waypoint for the mission.

Adding Waypoints

Recenter the map to the location of the mission using the Recenter iconand delete the mission using the delete icon.

Operators can efficiently plan complex path missions with multiple waypoints using Smart Selection Tools.

Configuring Mission Route and Waypoint Parameters

You can configure the following Path Mission Route parameters on FlytBase:

1. Route Altitude

This is the default altitude at which the mission will be conducted. There are three types of route altitude references that you can select:

Route Altitude modes

  • Relative Take-off Point (RTL) Altitude is set relative to the Reference Take-off Point as marked on the map while planning a mission. Additional care should be taken when planning close to ground in uneven terrain. Route/waypoint altitude needs to be adjusted based on terrain height.

Relative Take-off Point
  • Above Sea Level (ASL) Absolute altitude of the drone as represented in the EGM model. Use ASL for missions that require global altitude measurements, since the reference is set to the sea level.

Above Sea Level
  • Above Ground Level (AGL) Altitude is set relative to the ground level. Reliable ground elevation data is essential for using this option safely. This mode is best suited to follow the terrain automatically to maintain a specific elevation above ground at any point in the mission.

Above Ground Level

Currently, only the RTL altitude can be set on the dashboard.

You can also set the Route Altitude/Flight Altitude by going to Settings -> Flight Configuration -> Flight Altitude. The Route altitude set during mission planning will take precedence over the value specified for Flight altitude in the Settings.

2. Take-off Altitude

Take-off altitude settings allow you to specify a height for the drone to reach during take-off, ensuring it ascends safely before proceeding with its mission. Once the designated take-off altitude is achieved, the drone will move diagonally towards the first waypoint. There are two methods to set the take-off altitude:

Take-off Altitude modes

You can set a device-specific Take-off Altitude / Safe Altitude by going to Devices -> Device Settings -> Drone Safety. The safe take-off altitude set during mission planning will take precedence over the one set in Device Settings.

  • Default Take-off Altitude The drone will achieve the first waypoint's altitude and then approach the first waypoint.

Default Take-off Altitude
  • Safe Take-off Altitude The drone will achieve the Safe Take-off altitude and then diagonally proceed to the first waypoint.

Safe Take-off Altitude
Configuring Safe Take-off Altitude

3. Route Speed

The speed set here will be the default speed at which the mission will be executed. However, if a different speed is required between two or more waypoints, it can be configured in waypoint-specific settings.

The option to select the follow route speed comes while specifying waypoints. Refer to the following documentation to know more.

Route Speed

4. Route Waypoint Type

This allows you to set how the drone will approach each waypoint, and consequently what the path would look like. There are five options to choose from:

Route Waypoint Type
  • Linear Route The drone takes a straight path and stops at each waypoint.

Linear Path
  • Transit before Waypoint The drone takes a curved path before reaching each waypoint and flies through it.

Transit before waypoint
  • Curved path, stops at waypoint The drone takes a curved path and stops at each waypoint.

Curved path, stops at waypoint
  • Curved path, moves smoothly The drone follows a curved path and moves steadily at a constant speed without stopping at any waypoint.

Curved path, moves smoothly
  • Controlled radius The drone will turn before the current waypoint such that the radius of turn is the controlled radius.

Controlled radius

5. Drone Yaw

You can choose between the following drone yaw modes while flying between mission waypoints:

Drone Yaw modes
  • Along Route: The drone heading will match the mission path after every waypoint. It will reset the yaw angle while leaving the waypoint to match that of the path.

Along Route
  • Lock Yaw Axis: The drone heading will be locked at the last position from the previous waypoint and will maintain this angle while flying toward the next waypoint.

Lock Yaw
  • Manual: The drone heading will align with the path toward the next waypoint by default unless changed via the remote controller.

Manual input to drone yaw

6. Gimbal / Payload Control

You can set between the following modes for gimbal pitch while flying between mission waypoints:

Gimbal Controls
  • Waypoint specific - The gimbal pitch can be set for every specific waypoint to approach the next waypoint. After performing all the waypoint actions, the drone will reset its gimbal to the specified angle.

Waypoint specific
  • Manual - The gimbal will retain its last position from the previous waypoint, unless changed via the remote controller.

Manual Gimbal/ Payload Controls

7. Payload Settings:

You can select which imaging sensors should be used during the mission from the following options:

  • Zoom

  • Wide

  • IR Mode / Thermal Mode

Payload Settings

Refer to the following documentation to learn more about payload controls.

Payload Controls

8. Positioning Accuracy

Choose the Here are the different positioning accuracy options you can configure:

  • GNSS : Relies solely on satellite positioning to guide the drone. Suitable for operations where centimeter‑level precision is not critical. The accuracy range is as following:

    • Horizontal: ± 1.5 m

    • Vertical: ± 0.5 m

  • RTK : Switches to Real‑Time Kinematic corrections for ultra‑precise navigation Recommended for applications requiring ultra‑precise station‑keeping (e.g., high‑resolution inspections or mapping) where the drone must remain exactly at a fixed point. The accuracy range is as following:

    • Horizontal: ± 0.1 m

    • Vertical: ± 0.1 m

Positioning Accuracy

9. Finish Action

Choose the finish action for the drone when it reaches the last waypoint of the mission. Here are the different finish actions you can configure:

  • Return to Home (RTH) - The drone goes back to the docking station.

  • Exit Mission and Hover - The drone hovers at the last waypoint.

Finish Action
  • Return to Home (RTH) - The drone goes back to the docking station.

  • Exit Mission and Hover - The drone hovers at the last waypoint.

  • Go to First Waypoint and Hover - The drone moves to the first waypoint and starts hovering.

To configure the Waypoint parameters, please refer to the following link.

  • Once all settings have been done, click on Save Mission. The mission will then appear in the Missions tab on the FlytBase dashboard.

Save Mission

To learn how to plan a Grid Mission, please refer to the following documentation.

Grid Mission

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