a.    Determine coverage area (rectangle/polygon)

b.    Check local obstacles (trees, mounds, tall buildings, power towers, power lines and airspace restrictions. Information about local airspace restrictions can be found on FAA sectional charts, or on the B4UFLY smartphone App by the FAA. B4UFLY is an easy-to-use smartphone app that helps unmanned aircraft operators determine whether there are any restrictions or requirements in effect at the location where they want to fly. (To download  https://www.faa.gov/uas/where_to_fly/b4ufly/ )

c.   If your survey involves using GCPs, you will need to make a plan about where you are going to lay out your GCP markers to ensure they evenly distributed in the landscape and reflect the major topographical changes. 

d.   For safety concerns, notify other people to leave your survey area unless they are participants of your survey.