Wingtra has built a reputation for efficent VTOL fixed-wings for mapping very large sites: mines, quarries, highways, and extensive corridors. But what if your jobsite is smaller? What if you need to capture data for a single field, a small construction site, or an environmental research plot? Can a fixed-wing platform designed for efficiency over square miles also deliver accurate results at a much smaller scale?
The answer is yes—with some planning. While WingtraRAY is optimized for covering hundreds of acres in a single flight, its PPK workflows and imaging system can also handle smaller projects. The key is knowing how the drone behaves when flying, what the minimum flight geometry looks like, and how to set up your base station so short flights still produce survey-grade accuracy.
In this blog will define what a “small area” means in WingtraRAY terms, show how to set up efficient flight plans, and explain the accuracy considerations you need to keep in mind.
By the end, you’ll know whether WingtraRAY is the right tool for your smaller projects and how to get the most out of it.
Defining a “Small Area” for WingtraRAY
WingtraRAY was built to excel at mapping large sites, but it can still operate effectively at much smaller scales. In practical terms, the smallest recommended mapping area is about 430 by 260 feet (130 by 80 meters), or roughly 2.4 acres. A baseball field is a useful point of reference.
Even when the target area is small, the drone requires extra space for turns and loitering. As a result, the airspace covered during the flight will be closer to 1,000 by 400 feet (320 by 120 meters). To ensure accuracy, Wingtra recommends creating a slightly larger flight plan than your exact site and cropping the processed map afterward. This way, the flight geometry is preserved and the resulting dataset has enough coverage to process reliably.
Workflow for Mapping Smaller Areas
Once you know what counts as a “small area,” the next step is setting up a flight that delivers accurate results. The key is ensuring enough image coverage and overlap for your photogrammetry software to work with, while also paying closer attention to PPK setup than you might on a large mission.
Using the baseball field example, a 3-minute flight produces about 45 images. This is generally sufficient, as long as you maintain at least three flight lines with 15 images each. Fewer images reduce the software’s ability to estimate the camera geometry, which in turn lowers map accuracy. If you need to capture several small sites that are near each other, plan them as one mission. A single forward-flight plan uses far less energy than multiple takeoffs and landings and will save both time and battery life.
Accuracy on short flights hinges on your base station setup. Larger projects can sometimes absorb minor issues with PPK accuracy, but small sites do not provide that buffer. For best results, log continuously at a one-second interval, place your antenna in an open area with clear sky visibility, and make sure you are recording all required GNSS constellations. A properly configured base station ensures that even short flights converge to survey-grade accuracy.
Accuracy Considerations and PPK Setup
When you are flying something the size of a baseball field, every image matters, which means your PPK workflow and base station setup must be exact.
For the baseball field example, the flight produces only about 45 images. That is enough to process a reliable map, but only if your ground reference data is solid. A poor base station setup can quickly compromise the entire dataset, because there is no redundancy to fall back on.
Base station best practices for small sites:
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Logging interval: Use 1-second logging if possible; do not exceed 15 seconds.
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Constellations: Record GPS and GLONASS at minimum.
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RINEX output: Ensure your base can save or convert to RINEX 2.11 or newer.
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Placement: Set up in an open area with clear visibility of the sky. Avoid trees, tall structures, or power lines.
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Coordinate system: Use WGS84 with ellipsoidal height, or other ITRF-based systems. If you begin with local coordinates, apply an exact transformation before processing.
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Timing: Start logging at least 10 minutes before takeoff and continue until after landing.
Calibrate the base position: For small projects, occupy a known control point or use the nearest CORS or VRS station to derive an accurate base position. Define the base in a global, Earth-fixed frame with ellipsoidal height, such as WGS84, or in NAD83 (ellipsoidal) if your workflow requires it.
If your control is in a local or projected system, apply an exact transformation to WGS84 or NAD83 (ellipsoidal) before PPK processing. Consistency between the base coordinates, your corrections, and the processing frame is essential to achieve survey-grade results.
Following these steps ensures that even very short missions will converge to survey-grade results. For U.S.-based users, CORS networks can also serve as a reliable option to download reference data if a survey-grade base station is not available in the field.
Important Safety Considerations
WingtraRAY’s VTOL design makes it flexible for takeoffs and landings in tight areas, but pilots should still plan for contingencies. Always identify an alternate landing site before a mission in case the primary zone becomes unavailable.
For operations in populated environments or over people (OOP), the aircraft should be equipped with a parachute add-on to meet safety and regulatory requirements. This is especially important in urban areas where emergency landings carry greater risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum flight time required to get PPK fix?
No. The GNSS module acquires PPK fix as soon as the drone transitions into forward flight. Even very short missions will log PPK data, as long as your base station setup is correct.
What if my project is smaller than 430 by 260 feet?
It is still possible to fly, but you should set up a slightly larger flight plan and then crop the map after processing. This ensures enough image overlap for reliable reconstruction.
Can I map several small sites in one project?
Yes. If your areas are close together, plan them as one flight. This reduces takeoffs and landings, conserves battery life, and improves efficiency compared to flying separate missions.
Do I need a parachute for small-area mapping?
If you are operating over people (OOP) or in densely populated urban areas, a parachute add-on is required for safety and compliance.
What is the minimum number of images needed for processing?
For reliable results, at least 45 images are recommended. This typically means three flight lines with 15 images each. Fewer than this can reduce accuracy because the software has less information to work with.
Can I use CORS data instead of a base station?
Yes. In the U.S., Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) networks are available in most regions. You can download RINEX data from the nearest station to use during post-processing, which is a good option if you do not have your own survey-grade base station.
How should I place my base station in the field?
Choose a location with a clear view of the sky and no nearby obstructions like trees, tall buildings, or power lines. Avoid areas with heavy radio interference, such as near cellular towers. This ensures a clean GNSS signal for accurate PPK processing.
What happens if I don’t follow PPK recommendations on a small project?
On a large mapping project, minor PPK errors in one section may be balanced out by stronger accuracy in other areas. On a small project, you do not have that buffer. Skipping proper setup can compromise the entire dataset.
Can WingtraRAY really be efficient for small projects compared to multirotors?
Yes, with planning. While multirotors are often chosen for compact sites, WingtraRAY’s VTOL design and efficient forward flight make it a strong option, especially if you are combining multiple nearby areas into one mission or if you want to maintain survey-grade accuracy across all project sizes.
How should I “calibrate” the base for a small project?
Occupy a known control point or use the nearest CORS or VRS station to derive accurate base coordinates. Enter the base in a global, Earth-fixed frame with ellipsoidal height, such as WGS84, or in NAD83 (ellipsoidal) if that matches your workflow. Keep the reference frame consistent through PPK processing, then transform to the job’s deliverable CRS.
Which coordinate system should I use in the U.S.?
For PPK, define the base in WGS84 with ellipsoidal height, or NAD83 (ellipsoidal) when required, and process consistently in that frame. After geotagging, export and transform to your client’s CRS, for example State Plane feet. Do not assume NAD83 and WGS84 are interchangeable; use a proper transformation
Ready to Explore WingtraRAY?
WingtraRAY is built to handle expansive survey sites, but as we've learned, it is equally capable of delivering precise results on smaller projects when flights are planned correctly. From construction pads and research plots to corridor surveys and quarries, the same platform that excels at large-scale mapping can also be an efficient solution for compact sites.
If you are evaluating WingtraRAY for your organization, Advexure’s team of UAS experts can help you determine whether it is the right fit for your workflows, site sizes, and compliance requirements. Request a quote today and explore how WingtraRAY can expand your mapping capabilities: WingtraRAY.
