How to Avoid Losing Drone Data After a Flight

Few things are worse than driving back to the office and discovering you’re missing survey data. Safeguarding your drone data starts the moment you land, not when you sit down to process it. Here’s the post-survey workflow I follow after every mission to ensure my data is collected, verified, and backed up properly.

Step 1: Do a Quick Data Review in the Field

Once the mission is complete, I open the drone controller and run a quick data review. With the M400, I can check the point cloud, look for holes, and see how the scan lines look.

This is only a pre-process check, so it isn’t a direct substitute for an accuracy check. But it lets me see right away if any data is missing, while I’m still on site and can fly again.

Step 2: Verify Your Photogrammetry Files on a Laptop

For photogrammetry missions, it’s much easier to review the data on a laptop. I take the storage card out of the drone, plug it into my laptop, and check a few things:

Does the photo count match the mission plan? The number of photos should match what the mission was expected to capture.

Are the file sizes consistent? Files that are noticeably smaller may be corrupted, which could mean a reflight.

Step 3: Back Up Your Drone Data with Multiple Copies

Once I’ve confirmed that everything on the storage media makes sense, I copy it to my laptop. I also carry an external hard drive and back the files up there, too. This gives me multiple copies of the data and reduces the risk of losing files if a device fails or files are corrupted.

Step 4: Keep the Files on the Drone’s Storage Media

If I don’t need the card right away, I leave the files on it. That's an extra layer of protection in case something happens to my laptop or external hard drive

The Bottom Line

The goal of this workflow is simple: make sure all your data is collected, backed up, and safe before you leave the site. A few minutes of checking and copying can save you a reflight and a long drive back.

Ready to Fly Smarter?

Want more tips on drone surveying workflows and protecting your data? Get in touch with our team or explore our resources to build a process you can trust on every mission.