What Do I Need to Know About Mapping to Be a Pro?

[@cm2017]

In the State of Florida, you do need to be a Professional Surveyor and Mapper to offer volume measurement services. So, some states do regulate that activity. The traditional manned aerial mapping industry has been offering this service for a long time, so its not exactly a new technology.

[@pcartisan2721]

Thank you guys for the clarification and the consistent integrity.

[@oc6huki]

Regarding Professional Licensing Boards: I would not rely upon the representative answering the phone to interpret the law. It is the responsibility of the practitioner to read the law (California Business and Professions Code Section 8726) and determine if their activity constitutes unlicensed practice. I really do appreciate the conversation, research, and attention you have given the licensing topic in the video. Videos and podcasts made by many others don't even acknowledge the concept of licensing.

[@tombuscemi]

You guys really know your stuff.

[@oc6huki]

I've been using the Inspire 1 X5 for mapping with Pix4d. Getting sharp focus seems to be a challenge for many users. I'm surprised that autofocus does not seem to work with pix4d mapper or maps made easy as far as I can tell.

[@tybrady64]

In Virginia and probably almost all the other states, the important thing that you will need to be a licensed surveyor is, what will the mapping be used for? If it is information only, you probably do not need to be licensed. If it is to be used for ANY type of design work by civil engineers or architects, then you need to be licensed. It's certainly not just "do not show property lines." You also need expensive survey grade GNSS (GPS) if you're going to start giving volume measurements. You will have exact numbers without GPS, but the numbers will not be correct. Liability insurance would be good to have too. The real money and demand is in creating topographic mapping for design. Research your market before you spend ten to thirty thousand on a GPS unit.

[@oc6huki]

I agree that most states require a Professional Land Surveyor's license to produce maps that are to be relied upon by the public. If you represent earth contours, elevations, and geodetic positions on maps, you need to be a licensed surveyor, at least in California and Arizona where I am a licensed Land Surveyor. Topographic maps contain important information that may be used for a number of uses including drainage, flooding, quantities, construction, contracts, and civil design. Licensing qualified surveyors protects the public. We as surveyors hire many photogrametrists, pilots, and mappers to collect and process data, but the products and analysis must be done under the supervision of a Surveyor.

[@tybrady64]

oc6huki Exactly. I'm a licensed surveyor in Virginia. With this drone mapping for non surveyors, there is so much that could go wrong. What if their GPS only uses L1 and not L1 and L2 (dual frequency), what if they're on the wrong datum, what if the geoid they're using is not 12A, what if the GPS is not fixed but they accept the numbers anyway. Just because you have numbers does not mean they are right. Surveyors know how to check these things. It's not knowing if you're right or not when it will come back and bite you.

[@tybrady64]

I'm fairly sure these are the regulations for California that you need to be licensed, as you can see it's covers quite a few areas. B especially. (quick five minute google.) 8726. Land surveying defined A person, including any person employed by the state or by a city, county, or city and county within the state, practices land surveying within the meaning of this chapter who, either in a public or private capacity, does or offers to do any one or more of the following: (a) Locates, relocates, establishes, reestablishes, or retraces the alignment or elevation for any of the fixed works embraced within the practice of civil engineering, as described in Section 6731. (b) Determines the configuration or contour of the earth’s surface, or the position of fixed objects above, on, or below the surface of the earth by applying the principles of mathematics or photogrammetry. (c) Locates, relocates, establishes, reestablishes, or retraces any property line or boundary of any parcel of land, right-of-way, easement, or alignment of those lines or boundaries. (d) Makes any survey for the subdivision or resubdivision of any tract of land. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term “subdivision” or “resubdivision” shall be defined to include, but not limited to, the definition in the Subdivision Map Act (Division 2 (commencing with Section 66410) of Title 7 of the Government Code) or the Subdivided Lands Law (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 11000) of Part 2 of Division 4 of this Code). (e) By the use of the principles of land surveying determines the position for any monument or reference point which marks a property line, boundary, or corner, or sets, resets, or replaces any such monument or reference point. (f) Geodetic or cadastral surveying. As used in this chapter, geodetic surveying means performing surveys, in which account is taken of the figure and size of the earth to determine or predetermine the horizontal or vertical positions of fixed objects thereon or related thereto, geodetic control points, monuments, or stations for use in the practice of land surveying or for stating the position of fixed objects, geodetic control points, monuments, or stations by California Coordinate System coordinates. (g) Determines the information shown or to be shown on any map or document prepared or furnished in connection with any one or more of the functions described in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f). (h) Indicates, in any capacity or in any manner, by the use of the title “land surveyor” or by any other title or by any other representation that he or she practices or offers to practice land surveying in any of its branches. (i) Procures or offers to procure land surveying work for himself, herself, or others. (j) Manages, or conducts as manager, proprietor, or agent, any place of business from which land surveying work is solicited, performed or practiced. 6 2017 Professional Land Surveyors’ Act (k) Coordinates the work of professional, technical, or special consultants in connection with the activities authorized by this chapter. (l) Determines the information shown or to be shown within the description of any deed, trust deed, or other title document prepared for the purpose of describing the limit of real property in connection with any one or more of the functions described in subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive. (m) Creates, prepares, or modifies electronic or computerized data in the performance of the activities described in subdivisions (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (k) and (l). (n) Renders a statement regarding the accuracy of maps or measured survey data. Any department or agency of the state or any city, county, or city and county that has an unregistered person in responsible charge of land surveying work on January 1, 1986, shall be exempt from the requirement that the person be licensed as a land surveyor until such time as the person currently in responsible charge is replaced. The review, approval, or examination by a governmental entity of documents prepared or performed pursuant to this section shall be done by, or under the direct supervision of, a person authorized to practice land surveying.

[@rl2109]

Thanks for posting this informational video... I'm so glad to hear that Rob is not the 'dead weight' you carried on your show! After your description of his business accomplishments, I'm wondering if I had it backwards...! :o Good to 'see' you both again! ;)

[@factory2590]

Does no one use Reality capture?

[@kacywheatley2239]

Hi guys. I wanted to join your community, but have been in an accident and am now in a wheelchair. I think I can still fly from the chair. I won't give up. I do have an important question, now that you are speaking of it. Is there a way to win a free membership so I can take all of your classes? You guys have some really important information and training to offer and my income just got shot to hell..$900 a month...pretty bad. Anyway. I would like to do mapping, learn not to crash..hahaa..and pass the 107. I want to take all of your classes actually. Bottom line is: Is there a way to win a membership? If not, I understand, but had to ask. Thanks Paul and Rob!!! Great videos as always!!!

[@jimsnider3971]

How does the Autel X Star Premium compare to the P4P for mapping? I know it isn't supported by Drone Deploy yet, but are there any other reasons why the P4P is significantly better?

[@tybrady64]

Who Dat Z06 The camera on the P4P is so much better.

[@joelfleischer3844]

It seems to me it's a lot like going to an X-ray/Ultrasound Tech. They will absolutely not tell you anything regarding their opinion of what they're seeing, even though they know what they're looking at - Cancer, baby, fracture, etc..."I'm sorry, I can't comment until the doctor looks at it." Why can't pilot/photographers make the same statement? "All I do is take the pictures. I can't comment on what they mean..."

[@JBattler]

Good info guys, but I was dismayed by your discussion of business i.e. "you never know what will come back to you" and similar comments. Good business or indeed life practices should be based on "because it is the right thing to do, not because you will get some form of bad Karma from doing something bad. Ethics, guys...... Thanks for the videos

[@flhines18]

Can you please shortening your videos to about 10-12 minutes? There is a lot of off the wall stuff that doesn't need to be in the video. Thank you for your help!!!!