What is Drone Flight Altitude and How It Affects Map Resolution (GSD)
Every drone survey quote should specify a flight altitude, and that single number determines almost everything about the final deliverable: how sharp the imagery is, how large an area gets covered per flight, and whether the data is precise enough for your specific engineering need.
Ground Sample Distance (GSD) Explained
GSD is the real-world distance represented by a single pixel in the captured image. A GSD of 3cm means each pixel covers a 3cm by 3cm square of actual ground. Lower GSD numbers mean sharper, more detailed imagery. GSD is directly proportional to altitude: fly higher, and GSD gets larger (less detail per pixel).
| Altitude | Typical GSD | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| 50m | ~1.5cm/pixel | Detailed inspection, small precise sites |
| 100m | ~2.7cm/pixel | Construction sites, detailed topography |
| 120m | ~3.3cm/pixel | Standard corridor and mid-size projects |
| 150m | ~4.1cm/pixel | Large area mapping, faster coverage |
| 200m | ~5.5cm/pixel | Very large area, regional overview |
Why You Cannot Just Fly as High as Possible
Choosing the Right Altitude for Your Deliverable
A good survey provider selects altitude based on your specific deliverable requirement, not simply flies at one default setting regardless of project need. Talk to us about your resolution requirements before we plan your drone survey flight.
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