Power Users Checklist

For large organizations, Skippy Scout can provide incredible efficiency gains in crop monitoring and scouting. In order to get the most out of the platform and enable the best efficiency, below are some recommended best practices and checklists to follow when planning operations.

Recommended Device Setup

• For users doing a lot of flights, we recommended that a separate device is used to run the Skippy Scout app and conduct flights, instead of your main phone.

• This avoids flights being interrupted by incoming phone calls, and allows the device used for Skippy Scout to be kept more clear of other apps that take up memory and storage space.

• You can either use a second mobile phone or tablet (Android recommended) - ensure the device is relatively modern and powerful (ie Samsung S series), or better, use a DJI RC Pro or Enterprise controller supplied with M3E and M3M drones.

• Also we recommend setting up a dedicated internet connection that can be used in the field, either via 4G/5G sim or a mobile router to provide WiFi from your vehicle. Or better yet, use integrated 4G.

User Setup and Onboarding

1. When adding new account users, ensure that they only have access to the farms/fields they will be flying in the near-future.
   For accounts with large amounts of data, users will find issues with performance if their device is syncing all the data, instead of just the data they need.

   1. You will see ‘Permission Level’ options in the add users dialog - choose only the farms they need access to.

   2. For users already added, you can edit these permissions - we recommend that these permissions are reviewed before each operation - you can remove and add permissions based on the planned flights for that user, keeping data to syncc to a minimum.

      1. Users will need to log out of the app and log back in to reset the data sync.
         
         

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2. Ensure all users have completed an on-boarding training session before beginning to operate.

   1. Drone Ag can train your staff to perform this, or Drone Ag support can provide it directly via a video call - please ask.

   2. Users can also access this knowledgebase for more information and to keep up-to-date.

Pre-Operation Checklist (before travelling)

1. Ensure there is a good amount of free storage space on the device to be used with Skippy Scout

2. Check user permissions are set for the farms needed for upcoming flights

3. Check the Skippy Scout app is up-to-date

4. If user permissions have changed, log out and log back into the Skippy Scout app

5. Ensure you are on a stable WiFi connection and check data has synced

6. Perform any updates needed - add new fields or field maps and edit scout points etc..

7. Sync the app again

8. Ensure all drone batteries are charged

9. Power on the drone and check for any errors in the DJI app

   1. We suggest you do not perform a firmware update immediately prior to flight operations immediately prior to flight operations, unless it is a critical update

   2. Clear the drone's storage,, backing up any data you wish to keep (videos, non-Skippy data etc.)

10. Check and pack chargers for batteries

Pre-Flight Checklist (on-site)

1. Power up your control device (phone/tablet/RC) and check internet connection (if possible)

2. Check that all apps are closed (and on Android, then go in to setting and force-close all apps)

3. Open Skippy Scout and perform a sync (if possible)

4. Power on the drone and allowow it to attain attain good GPS signal

5. Connect the controller to your device (if needed)

   1. on iOS, close the DJI app that auto-opens on connection on connection

   2. on Android, double check that the DJI appp is not open in the background; if so, close it, then force close it via settings

6. Choose the field in Skippy Scout and choose Scout this Scout Now

7. Wait for flight checks to complete

8. Begin the flight

Flight/Post-Flight Checklist

1. Monitor the flight

2. Once complete, monitor the drone landing

3. Do not power off the drone until all images have downloaded from drone to device

4. It is recommended that you allow all images to upload while on the flight screen, if you have an internet connection and this is possible:

   1. Once images have downloaded from the drone, it can be powered off

   2. Keep the device on the flight screen while images upload

   3. It can be left to do this while you travel to/prepare for you next flight

   4. However, if you need to fly again immediately, images will upload in the background and you can move on to your next flight

5. Ideally, power off the drone between flights

6. Once the drone is powered up, begin your next flight as normal

Recommended Work-Flow

For the first flight of a new field, or a new crop rotation, we recommended capturing Spheres only for each field to be monitored.

This is faster and allows the field overview to be used to decide if more in-depth scouting is required, and then to add scout points based on the sphere overview, or field maps.

This can be done by office-base personnel, as soon as flights and image upload has been completed.

1. Send user to capture spheres of all fields

2. Review the spheres and decide which fields require scouting, add scout points

3. User goes to selected fields and performs scouting only flights

4. Follow up with full scout-sphere flights to monitor progress and review as needed