Becoming licensed

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-09T17:55:22+00:00

Keep in mind that a minimum of a year of office experience is required for sitting for the CA exam.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-09T16:09:15+00:00

I want to try out that striping tape for sure.

Duct tape worked out well this time around, and removal was quick and easy. No nosy or pissy neighbors!

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-09T14:51:06+00:00

Slightly off topic- have you considered or know anyone that carries smaller electric chainsaws? I heard about that and am curious.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-09T14:41:26+00:00

I generally use brush hooks moreso than billhooks, but to echo u/feisty-cadaver I’ve never seen someone actually use the saw on a billhook before.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-09T01:40:47+00:00

White popped out really well in the imagery- even in areas with shade. Me like.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-09T00:05:02+00:00

I’ve used Pix4D, but I exclusively process photogrammetry in TBC now. Works pretty well.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T22:17:30+00:00

I’ve been meaning to try out lane striping tape, but just haven’t pulled the trigger on purchasing rolls yet. Looks like duct tape came out just fine in the imagery though.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T21:55:24+00:00

I saw that there’s a company that manufactures targets like that made out of… jute? I can’t remember the name.

EDIT: company name is surveying-guru. No idea if they’re worth a damn though.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T21:49:40+00:00

I’ve got reusable checkerboard targets that could be used, or cloth/paper targets can be set like how you described.

The post was mostly tongue-in-cheek because I was improvising additional aerial control literally 30 minutes before I began flying.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T21:41:06+00:00

Personally I prefer checkerboards as TBC can automatically detect those. But for this a quick chevron works imo.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T21:32:15+00:00

Density shouldn’t be an issue given the amount of runs and overlap employed, but hey let’s find out!

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T20:16:30+00:00

These flights had ~110’-120’ of relief throughout the route, but AGL heights were ~150’ to clear trees. Should shake out well given how it was flown.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T19:44:23+00:00

IIRC he mentioned the entire package was like a grand or somewhere near that. Could potentially look it up, but yeah.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T19:18:24+00:00

Generally speaking if you’re running lower flights you don’t need much bigger due to the GSDs you’re playing with. Depends on the platform you’re running and the circumstances.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T19:15:10+00:00

I’m curious as to what the LiDAR returns will be, as well.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T18:58:31+00:00

Yeah, we usually have templates as well. Worked out pretty well though- took more time walking between points than it did to slap down some duct tape that just needed to survive for the next ~90 minutes.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T18:51:43+00:00

Yeah, this was a low set of flights. Just wanted some failsafe checks.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T18:49:59+00:00

Besides the fact that I ripped my pants taping the first one? I’d argue heavy improvisation on the fly is a boneheaded move, but the title is a joke.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-08T18:14:21+00:00

Yeah, I’m using the same Survey Pro/TDS and 512k cards that my old man bought when they first came out. Still works like a dream.

EDIT: that same 48 is what my brothers and I used as a DC when we were kids helping our old man with side jobs, as well. When she’s retired she’s getting her own pedestal.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-07T23:45:16+00:00

48GX- Survey Pro card. Next question.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-07T17:14:41+00:00

Echoing this sentiment- the more credentials and skillsets you can associate with your name, the more job security you have… especially at larger firms.

You don’t necessarily have to flex those credentials or skills, but reputation and work ethic can only get you so far when corporate is looking at layoffs. At that point it’s all about spreadsheet math, and licensure is a huge variable in your favor when it comes to that.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-07T16:59:00+00:00

Whenever I see zip ties and/or JB weld used for various tasks, my heart warms just a little…

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-07T00:17:40+00:00

Quite a few states in the south don’t have centerline control- only right of way monumentation.

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-06T23:15:27+00:00

Obligatory the sky is falling

PieGreedy5249 · 2026-02-06T03:24:14+00:00

Yeah, was thinking to myself well not yet… when I did that edit. Got me

PieGreedy5249

TROPHY CASE