Using the flight planning wizard is the easiest way to plan a flight in Fly PHX.

The wizard will automatically add all of the missions items for the flight plan type that is chosen.

The most typical use for PHX is the survey plan type.

The takeoff should always be planned as into the wind as possible. This helps the aircraft achieve flight as easily as possible.

The takeoff should also be planned such that there are no obstacles between the launch point and the takeoff waypoint.

Sometimes a crosswind take off needs to be used to avoid obstacles and be as into the wind as possible.

Never launch with a tailwind.

The survey should be planned such that the transects are perpendicular to the wind direction. Starting down wind and snaking upwind as the flight progresses. This allows for the most aerodynamically efficient turns possible.

Fly PHX attempts to set the transect direction automatically based on the assumption that the takeoff is direction is straight into the wind.

Survey transect angle may need to be adjusted when a crosswind takeoff is used.

Select the appropriate preset for the data type to be collected.

The landing should be planned as into the wind as possible. This helps the aircraft better reduce its speed while landing without stalling.

The landing pattern should also be planned such that there are no obstacles between the beginning of the final approach and the landing area.

Never land with a tailwind.

In the plan tab navigate to the location of the area to be surveyed.

Use the File button to open the flight planning wizard menu.

Select Survey.

The launch and take off waypoints will appear.

Grab the launch waypoint and drag it to the location where the aircraft will be launched from.

Grab the takeoff waypoint and adjust it such that it is as into the wind as possible.

In this example the wind direction will be from North to South.

Because there are no obstacles in the way, the aircraft can be launched directly into the wind.

Press next to finish planning the takeoff.

The survey mission item and polygon tools will appear.

Either draw, trace, or open the boundary of the area to be surveyed.

Then press the next button.

Use the preset drop down to select the type of data to be captured.

In this example the stitched mosaic preset will be applied.

Verify that the transects are perpendicular to the direction of the wind, and that the survey entry point is downwind.

In this example because the takeoff is directly into the wind, the survey transects are automatically set to the correct direction.

Press next to finish the survey mission item.

The landing mission item will appear.

Click on the screen where the landing point should be located.

The landing pattern will appear on the screen.

Grab the landing point and adjust the landing position as needed.

Then grab the loiter point and adjust the position such that the landing is as into the wind as possible.

In this example the landing pattern can be place directly into the wind and near the launch point along the the road.

Press done to finish planning the landing pattern.

Not all areas may have this ideal set up. Remember that the PHX can be launched and landed in different areas. i.e. they do not necessarily need to be co-located.

Sometimes it is beneficial to land in the area being survey when conditions allow. Such as in a corn field with early stage corn, or in a soy bean or alpha alpha field.

The landing pattern default settings can be adjusted after the pattern has been planned.

The default settings are the recommended settings. Adjusting the default settings may cause the mission to be rejected by the autopilot validity check, or may cause the aircraft to land harder.

The flight plan is complete.

To add additional survey mission items the menu on the left hand side of the plan screen will be used.

Building on the example from above, a waypoint will be added to tell the aircraft to turn to the east after the takeoff waypoint to avoid flying over the road, or the field to the east.

First select the takeoff mission item. New mission items are added after the currently selected item.

Then press waypoint and click on the screen where the waypoint should be located.

The waypoint will appear on the screen and a waypoint mission item will appear in the mission item index between the takeoff item and the survey item.

The waypoint will default to an altitude of 400ft AGL.

This process can be repeated as many times as necessary.

It can also be done with survey or corridor scan mission items.