Here are some open-source software tools you can use to create and manage drone flight paths, especially for inspection tasks like aircraft checks:
✅ 1.
Mission Planner
- Platform: Windows
- Best For: ArduPilot-based drones
- Features:
- Create waypoint missions on maps
- Supports RTL (Return to Launch), Loiter, Circle, etc.
- Live telemetry and log analysis
- Link: https://ardupilot.org/planner/
✅ 2.
QGroundControl
- Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
- Best For: PX4 and ArduPilot drones
- Features:
- Intuitive mission planning with 3D visualization
- Geofencing and complex path logic
- Supports camera triggering, survey grids, inspection orbits
- Link: https://docs.qgroundcontrol.com
✅ 3.
OpenDroneMap
- Platform: Linux, Windows (via Docker)
- Best For: Post-processing imagery into 3D models/orthophotos
- Use With: Mission Planner or QGroundControl for flight
- Link: https://www.opendronemap.org/
✅ 4.
UAV Toolbox for MATLAB (Partial Open Source)
- Platform: MATLAB
- Best For: Advanced simulation and control design
- Use Case: Flight path planning algorithms, simulation before execution
- Link: https://github.com/mathworks/uav-toolbox
✅ 5.
Dronecode SDK / MAVSDK
- Platform: C++, Python, Swift
- Best For: Developers creating custom apps for drones
- Features:
- Programmatic control of missions
- Build custom flight behaviors
- Link: https://mavsdk.mavlink.io/
✅ 6.
WebODM (GUI for OpenDroneMap)
- Platform: Web-based (Docker)
- Best For: Mapping + Inspection analysis from captured images
- Note: Not for flight planning, but great for processing results
- Link: https://www.opendronemap.org/webodm/
Recommendations for Aircraft Inspection:
- Plan flight path in QGroundControl or Mission Planner
- Capture data using DJI or ArduPilot drone
- Analyze results in OpenDroneMap/WebODM for 3D model + defect detection