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Coordinate Pre-Flight Checklist
Just as pilots run a pre-flight checklist before takeoff, geospatial professionals must validate their coordinate data before deployment. 90% of coordinate failures (like the 'MGRS Letter Error' or 'Datum Mismatch') are preventable with these standardized checks.
How to Use
Run this checklist before: Exporting data for field crews, publishing web maps, or finalizing engineering drawings.
Online Tool
Use Cases
- Verifying data before uploading to a drone or GPS rover.
- Checking a CSV file received from a third-party contractor.
FAQ
Q: Why is metadata so critical?
A: Coordinates without an EPSG code or Datum definition are just ambiguous numbers. You cannot verify accuracy without knowing the reference frame.
Q: What is the most common omitted item?
A: Vertical Datum. Many people verify X/Y (Lat/Lon) but forget to check if Z (Height) is Ellipsoidal or Orthometric (MSL).
Q: Do I need this for simple web maps?
A: Yes. If you plot data on a Web Mercator map without knowing the source scale factor, your distance measurements could be off by 50%.
Q: How often should I update this checklist?
A: Use it for every new dataset or project handover. It only takes 5 minutes but saves days of rework.
Professional Verification Disclaimer
This content is provided for decision-support and educational purposes for geospatial professionals and does not constitute legal, surveying, or engineering advice. Regulations and official standards vary by jurisdiction and project scope. Information is based on publicly available standards as of January 11, 2026. For critical projects, always verify current requirements with:
- Licensed Professional Surveyors or Professional Engineers (PE) in the relevant jurisdiction
- Certified attorneys for legal interpretation of regulations
- Current guidelines from relevant authorities (FAA, JCAB, GSI, etc.)
Reference: Professional Use & Scope
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The $50,000 Geodetic Drift Liability: NAD83 vs WGS84
Because the North American Plate moves ~2cm/year, NAD83(2011) and WGS84(G1762) currently diverge by over 2.2 meters. Using a "standard" GPS WGS84 coordinate for a high-precision NAD83 cadastral staking has triggered $50,000 Professional Liability claims for foundational rework and utility misplacement.
Risk Exposure Metric:
2.2-Meter Tectonic Drift & Epoch Accumulation
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Using the wrong coordinate system (e.g. WGS84 vs NAD83) creates a permanent 1-meter offset.
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