# Locations & Routes

Location and route assets define where the mission takes place.

Both types of assets can be created or edited through the [NOVA Asset Manager.](/nova/assets.md#nova-asset-manager-1)

## Location (Local Flight)

Flight locations for creating a location asset can be defined by entering longitude and latitude coordinates or by clicking on the map and saving.

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/0fam1AyCx8H1KCe0pQBD" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/EF3lnA0S4ExVd4pZtzbr" alt=""></picture><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Location (Analytics)

Analytics locations are defined in the same way as locations for local flights and listed in the NOVA Asset Manager. These locations are used for [Operational Analytics](/operational-analytics.md).

## Route

Route assets represent a 3D flight route defined by waypoints, each with a latitude, longitude, and altitude above ground level (AGL).

Routes can be created by clicking on the map, or by uploading a file in **KML**, **PLAN** or **WAYPOINTS** format using the `UPLOAD FLIGHT PLAN` button.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="New Route Dialog" %}

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/K7JBtunXtMMRdGAjzNYD" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/QoymySaQrp0Agjh1A0y4" alt=""></picture><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Uploaded Route" %}

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/9U6GmPWuUQwTZks62NV2" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/75Lpvcyc2HRhJ1HrVqBa" alt=""></picture><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

When an external file is uploaded, the route is automatically loaded from its data (see [External file creation](#externa-file-creation)). If altitude information is not provided in the file, you may add altitude data to the waypoints manually (see [Uploaded Route](#uploaded-route)). Other modifications of the uploaded route are prevented by NOVA.

If you add waypoints manually, you may add waypoints at the start or the end of the route and also in between existing waypoints. You need to specify the altitude (AGL) at each waypoint, which is set to 0 initially.

{% hint style="info" %}
For convenience, the altitude provided for a waypoint is copied to following waypoints for which the altitude is not specified.
{% endhint %}

### External file creation

#### Within NOVA

Routes created in NOVA can be downloaded in **KML**, **PLAN** or **WAYPOINTS** format. This is useful for re-creating the route in the future. This option is available when creating a mission and selecting an asset.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Download button" %}

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/1L09qpYi8pkeEXP0lyCL" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/3cUpYfEXXFJ4yefTUmRc" alt=""></picture><figcaption><p><code>Download file</code> button within the route dialog</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Select file type" %}

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/OPJVy0U04kNhGQF9bfcG" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/4Gb3ncs7SyBsONewlcYj" alt=""></picture><figcaption><p>Type selector within the <code>Download file</code> dialog</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

#### External Tools

External tools like Google Earth, Q Ground Control or Mission Planner can also be used to create route files. Instructions for Google Earth can be found [here](https://support.google.com/mapcontentpartners/answer/15179231) (external link).

#### Custom Tools

*KML format*

If you create **KML** files via a custom tool, please make sure to follow the KML standard. We expect that the route waypoints are provided within a `<LineString>`, which is expected to include an altitude reference and coordinates of the route. A minimal example is given below.

Currently, NOVA supports `relativeToGround` and`absolute`as`altitudeMode.`

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<kml xmlns="http://www.opengis.net/kml/2.2">
  <Document>
    <Placemark>
      <name>
        UP Testflight
      </name>
      <LineString>
        <altitudeMode>
          relativeToGround
        </altitudeMode>
        <coordinates>
          9.043341388041267,47.69550904610872,0 
          9.047137141960924,47.70110577505493,0 
          9.058338444737204,47.71563827282183,0 
          9.074422557057218,47.73446327224831,0 
          9.116350330267624,47.73941175803014,0
        </coordinates>
      </LineString>
    </Placemark>
  </Document>
</kml>
```

*PLAN format*

If you create **PLAN** files via a custom tool such as Q Ground Control, please make sure that the file includes at least the following structure:

<pre><code>{
    "mission": {
        "globalPlanAltitudeMode": 1,
        "items": [
            {
                "command": 22,
                "params": [0, 0, 0, null, 47.677707517028885, 9.142380633125526, 50],
                "type": "SimpleItem"
            },
            {
                "command": 16,
                "params": [0, 0, 0, null, 47.6850874, 9.14829407, 50],
                "type": "SimpleItem"
            },
            {
                "command": 16,
                "params": [0, 0, 0, null, 47.67883124, 9.16569647, 50],
                "type": "SimpleItem"
            }
	]
<strong>    }
</strong>}
</code></pre>

*WAYPOINTS format*

If you create WAYPOINTS files via a custom tool such as Mission Planner, please make sure that the file includes at least the following structure:

```
QGC WPL 110
0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1
1	0	0	16	0	0	0	0	47.672	9.170	100.000	1
2	0	0	16	0	0	0	0	47.676	9.156	100.000	1
3	0	0	16	0	0	0	0	47.672	9.149	100.000	1
4	0	0	16	0	0	0	0	47.665	9.161	100.000	1
5	0	0	16	0	0	0	0	47.664	9.178	100.000	1
```

#### Altitude conversion

NOVA automatically detects if an uploaded file uses an altitude mode other than AGL. When detected, NOVA will offer to convert the altitude values from **AMSL** to **AGL**, which is the default mode for all routes.

<figure><picture><source srcset="/files/XhoxZNMsHTpNjwi4uX7h" media="(prefers-color-scheme: dark)"><img src="/files/V9Dufpjdqhv51PqdqQ2i" alt=""></picture><figcaption><p><code>Calculate altitudes</code> button within the <em>Upload Flight Plan</em> dialog</p></figcaption></figure>


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