Telecom Tower inspection using DJI Phantom 4 Pro: Step-by-step guide

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro is a capable platform for asset inspection work: 360-degree collision avoidance, 30 minutes of flight time, and a 20.1MP one-inch sensor that gives you the image detail needed for high-quality 3D model reconstruction.

This guide walks through a telecom tower inspection in Kiama, NSW, using the Phantom 4 Pro and the DJI GO 4 App. Use it as a step-by-step reference, from preflight setup through to uploading your data to Propeller.

Setting up interval shooting

Open the DJI GO 4 App and activate Interval Shooting mode. This removes the need to manually press the shutter during the inspection. A 2-second interval works well for this workflow on the Phantom 4 Pro.

To start, click on the camera settings button.

Go to the camera icon in the top menu and select the photo icon.

In the Photo tab, select Timed Shot and set the interval to 2s.

Interval Shooting is now active. Press the shutter button on the remote controller and the drone will capture photos at two-second intervals.

Point of Interest flight path

Once 10m above the asset location, open smart flight modes from the bottom left of the app interface.

This opens the smart flight feature menu. Select Point of Interest.

Hover over the point of interest with the camera facing directly downwards and click Record POI.

Set the height and radius from the Point of Interest in the right-hand panel and click Apply.

Once the Point of Interest is recorded, move the aircraft outward until the radius reading changes from red (0m) to blue (approximately 5m).

Staying closer to the tower gives you more image detail, but keep at least 5m clearance when the drone is orbiting. This ensures each photo captures enough of the asset in the foreground and enough background context to produce a high-quality 3D model. The Phantom 4 Pro’s 20.1MP camera gives you more flexibility here, with detail to spare even at slightly greater distances.

Collision avoidance is a practical asset during inspection flights. On this flight, the Phantom’s sensors helped maintain safe clearance from the tower while still capturing the shots needed for 3D model reconstruction.

After setting the radius, set your orbit speed.

A speed of 2.5km/hr gives clean, steady movement around the asset. Once the orbit begins, press the shutter button on the remote to start interval capture.