DJI Phantom 2 Vision + and 3DR Solo Checklists, Cautions 

and Warnings and Emergency Procedures Manual

Updated 10/9/15

Blue Sky Flyovers, Inc.

8392 Rambling River Drive

Sanford FL 32771

407-474-4100

bob@blueskyflyovers.com
DJI Phantom 2 Vision Plus and 3DR Solo Checklists, 

Cautions and Warnings and Emergency Procedures

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

__ Check area to fly on Google maps

__ Make sure there are no heavy metal objects with in 30 feet of sUAS

__ Confirm Walkie-Talkie and ATC coms operation

__ Inform ATC of your flight plan if required

__ Determine emergency flight plan and alternate landing zones avoiding power lines and 

obstacles

__ Check wind direction

__ Set a perimeter of 50-100 meters – area must be clear of people

__ All antennas installed and all pointing in correct directions

__ Engage GCS, monitor, laptop, goggles, etc. 

__ Remove lens cap / Clean lens

__ Turn Camera On

__ Ensure camera has SD card installed.

__ Check battery voltage, all batteries should be charged to 100%

__ Install battery on sUAS.

__ Check CG

__ Level sUAS with front pointing in correct direction for course lock – do not turn on

__ On sUAS TX - Set switches - Throttle Down, Return to Home switch Off, Manual Flight Mode

Switch On, Flight Path Switch Off – Not Course or Home Lock

__ Turn sUAS Transmitter On

__ Turn Photography Transmitter On

__ Calibrate GPS/Compass if necessary

__ If calibrated, cycle battery with correct heading for course lock.

__ Do not touch the sUAS until 30 seconds after full GPS Lock. 

__ Check sUAS Voltage from GCS

__ Engage Attitude Mode 

__ Engage GPS Mode 

__ Do not engage motors. Set throttle to down position. Wait until receiver indicates 6 or more 

satellites have been connected via GPS

__ Verify camera operation 

__ Upload flight plan if flying autonomously

Verify altitude is about 0 via gauge on computer/GCS/video monitor/goggles

TAKEOFF CHECKLIST

__ Declare intentions for takeoff with ATC

__ PIC announces loudly: “CLEAR PROP”

__ Position the left stick in the middle down, right stick centered.

__ Advance throttle to power for 5 seconds. Assure all motors are operating.

__ Verify that left/right and forward/back stick movement engages the proper motors

__ Verify data and video links are still operational

__ PIC Announces loudly: “TAKING OFF”
__ Advance throttle to full. sUAS must jump off of the ground.

__ Ascend to 3 meters. Center throttle stick. Confirm sUAS is responding to controls. 

Verify wireless link, GPS hold, camera operation, gauges, etc. are working properly.

__ Verify course lock is operational by rotating 90 degrees and pushing forward on stick.

__ Verify sUAS stability. If unstable, land and reset gains, recalibrate, or retest as 

necessary.

__ Raise landing gear if so equipped

__ Proceed with manual mission

For autopilot operation

__ Ascend to 10 meters manually, engage autopilot

__ Manual pilot/observer must monitor the informational LED and be ready to take over 

in manual mode when necessary.

__ Manual pilot to request sUAS flight battery voltage readout from camera operator

periodically.

QUICK REFERENCE PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

__ Landing zone clear

__ Level sUAS with correct heading

__ Battery must be at 100% prior to flight

__ Camera on. SD card in.

__ Both TX – all switches down

__ Both TX on

__ sUAS power on

__ Check GPS and Course lock

__ Video check

__ Photo check

__ Takeoff

__ Raise Landing Gear is so equipped

LANDING CHECKLIST

__ Landing area clear

__ Lower landing gear if so equipped

__ Note any obstacles in flight path

__ PIC announces loudly: “LANDING”

AFTER LANDING CHECKLIST

__ Turn main power switch to the sUAS to OFF

__ Note elapsed time of flight

__ Adjust any parameters (camera servo speed, exponential, etc.)

__ Turn power off to transmitters, camera, goggles, monitors, Rds., etc.

__ Verify all motor temperatures are similar

__ Enter data into flight log

__ Date and time of flight

__ Batteries used
__ Time of Flight

__ Contact ATC to notify them that all flight sUAS ops have ceased

__ Unplug and inspect batteries upon landing

CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS

__ Never power a video transmitter or receiver without an antenna connected or 

overload failure will occur.

__ Read all information regarding batteries contained in this manual and supplements.

WARNING:

Batteries fully charged must be handled with extreme care.

Batteries are highly flammable and can explode, especially when fully charged. Improper

charging, vibration, impact, high discharge, etc. can lead to explosion and fire. Batteries 

must be charged under constant supervision and using proper precautions.

They are less volatile than gasoline BUT they should be treated with the same respect!

__ Batteries must not be stored above 50% charged state.

__ Store batteries between 20% - 50% charged state. Only fully charge batteries just 

before use.

__ Fully charged batteries that are not to be used within 24 hours should be discharged 

to 20% - 50% charged state.

__ Discharging LiPo batteries in excess of 80% of their rated capacity can cause harm to 

the batteries.

__ Propellers must be balanced to avoid excessive vibration.

__ GPS/Compass must be facing forward.

__ Do not use GPS Mode without GPS lock.

__ Use low strength thread locking compound on all screws.

__ Wireless Video and Data ranges vary considerably on many factors including weather,

equipment, and obstructions. Be prepared for com failures.

__ If excessive rocking occurs or the sUAS is visibly unstable, land Immediately and 

trouble Shoot for:

• One or more weak motor output

• Structure flexing from fatigue or cracks

• Motor mount loose

• Main frame cracked or loose

• Boom arms cracked or loose

• Loose bolts causing flexing or misalignment

• Props not tight

• Mounts not tight

• Props out of balance or misaligned

• Excessive wind speeds or gusts

• Excessive gains

• Excessive motor power – slightly more than take off power

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

DATA LINK FAILURE
sUAS will not lose com link without warning. When dropouts are noticed to

Increase in frequency, which indicates the limit of the travel range or other interference.

If a cell tower is nearby it can swamp the signal. 900 MHz may not be usable in that 

area. If this is suspected, change to a different frequency, remain closer to the sUAS or 

move away from the tower.

LOW BATTERY POWER

You will hear a verbal announcement that the battery is at 25%, proceed to landing 

zone. If the battery power goes to 10%, sUAS will automatically return to the landing 

zone at a preset height of 125 feet to avoid trees and structures.

GCS FAILURE

GCS failure most often happens due to a low battery. If this occurs the PIC should 

takeover manual control of the sUAS using the RC link.

COMPASS CALIBRATION ERROR

When compass is out of calibration there will be a warning on the monitor or the GCS

Recalibrate the compass following the OEM instruction manual.

FIRE

Fires can occur due to a short circuit or battery failure.

Disconnect the battery ASAP unless there is possible physical danger.

CAUTION Use a class D fire extinguisher to put out fires on and surrounding the battery. 

Water can be used though it may cause other electrical component failures.

FORCED LANDINGS

Alternate emergency landing zones will be chosen ahead of time.

Be sure that the LZ is clear of people to avoid any incidents.

Land in the nearest LZ that is clear of people.

Announce your intentions of landing as loud as necessary to alert people of the

incoming sUAS.