- Retain the files needed by the exact correction workflow.
- Separate adjustment points from independent checks.
- Inspect the exported result, reference and units.
Corrections and quality checks do different jobs
RTK applies positioning corrections during capture. PPK applies a supported correction workflow afterward. Neither label alone describes the quality of the final reconstructed surface. A project can have corrected camera positions and still contain blur, weak geometry or missing coverage.
Use the current manufacturer instructions for the exact aircraft and processing software. A PPK checklist for an older model is not automatically the checklist for a different camera or file structure.
- 01CaptureImages + positioning records
- 02ReconstructReference + documented settings
- 03CheckIndependent observations + export
What to record before leaving the site
| Record | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Project reference and units | Prevents an apparently good model being delivered in the wrong coordinate system. |
| Correction or reference arrangement | Explains how the capture positions were established. |
| Original images and positioning records | Allows the supported reconstruction or correction workflow to be repeated. |
| Independent checkpoints and observations | Provides evidence separate from the model’s own adjustment. |
| Gaps, interruptions and re-flights | Tells the processor which parts of the capture need extra attention. |
Control points are not all interchangeable
Points used to adjust a model and points withheld for an independent check have different roles. Name those roles in the project folder. If every observed point participates in the adjustment, a low adjustment residual does not give the same evidence as an independent check.
Record how each point was measured and how it is identified in the imagery. Avoid a handoff consisting only of coordinates with no point descriptions. The processor should be able to find the intended target without guessing.
Inspect the exported result
Open the final orthomosaic or model in the receiving tool. Check reference, units, extent and the project’s agreed residual reporting. Inspect edges and surfaces where reconstruction is weak, not just the central overview.
For an integrated photographic mapping kit, Matrice 4E is a current store starting point. Choose its reference equipment from the actual correction method; add a physical station only when the planned workflow requires one.