RTK and Drone Mapping: Do You Need It? Is It Worth It?

Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) is a buzz term in the UA industry, one many pilots may not understand, even though they may be “mapping” with an uncrewed aircraft (drone).   When it comes to RTK and drone mapping, how necessary is the technology to a drone services provider?  Will it earn a services provider more money?

The following is a guest post by drone industry veteran Douglas Spotted Eagle, Production and Education Director at Sundance Media Group.  DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payment for guest posts.

All images courtesy Sundance Media Group, used with permission.

When a manufacturer provides RTK capability, some feel they’ve achieved nirvana, and are ready to start a drone surveying business, but…

Not so fast there, pardner. There is a significant difference between owning an RTK aircraft and being a surveyor. A surveying degree is at minimum, four years of school and depending on the area of interest, up to six years of school plus time in the…