## UA **V Safety Checklist** 

**Ar ea & Environment** 

**■Hazards / Site Selection ■Check for wires / cables ■A**  **nimals ■People / bystanders**  **■Property in the vicinity ■Site is away from nonessential participants**  **■A bility to maintain adequate buffer zones between aircraft and personnel;**  **■Minimize departures and landings over populated areas ■Take into account local topography, ensuring a visible line of sight towards the UA**  **V at all times. Ensure the telemetry co**  **nnection is not obstructed. ■Investigate potential alternative landing sites in case take**  **- off site is obstructed.**  **■Psychological consideration (are you well rested, rushed, “get there -**  **itis”, are you being pressured by client)**  **■Weather considerations ■T emperature**  **■Visibility ■Precipitation**  **■Wind Speed ■Upper winds / at altitude ■Rotor (lee side of large objects)**  **■Notify any bystanders or nearby property owners of your intentions (permission) ■Discuss flight plan with your co**  **- pilot or spotter**  **■If flying in controlled airspace, have you notified airspace authority**  **■NOTA Ms**  **■Can you reach authorities ■Do you need to maintain communication?** 

**■First A id Kit stocked, readily accessible and visible to anyone in the area** 



### Equipment / UA

**V / Drone**

**■Walk -**  **around ■Crack in joints and structural members**  **■Loose or damaged screws, ties, fasteners, straps ■Loose or damaged wiring**  **■Loose or damaged connections (solder, plugs, etc.) ■Inspect prop mounts and screws and apply slight counter pressure on ar**  **ms to check for loosened components** **■FPV , inspect / clean FPV (Camera) Lens and insure it is secured and connects are firmly**

**attached ■Camera settings are correct (still images, video, framerate)**  **■Battery / Batteries are fully charged, properly seated and Secured**  **■Fail -**  **safe equipment functioning ■RTH (return to home)**  **■Recovery chute ■Firmware A**  **irport Proximity Detection Functioning ■Props are smooth and free of damage / defect (check blade, surface and hub)**  **■Prop adapters are tight / secure ■Ensu**  **re voltage alarm is connected ■Ensure arming / idle timeout is properly configured**  **■Correct model is selected in transmitter (if applicable) ■Check RC transmitter shows the right range and centering for all sticks**  **■Perform range test**



### Mission Plan

**■A ll actions and contingencies for the mission planned.**  **■Contingency planning should include safe routes in the event of a system failure, degraded performance, or lost communication link, if such a failsafe exists.**  **■Mission plans and flight plans should be shared with other operators in the vicinity.** 



### Pre **- flight / Run**  **- up**  **■Verifying all transmitter, on -**  **board aircraft and camera batteries are fully charged; (confirm voltages)**  **■Ensure no frequency conflicts with both video and transmitter / receiver ■C**  **hecking all control surfaces for signs of damage, loose hinges, and overall condition; Looking over the wing/rotors to ensure they are in good structural condition and properly secured;**  **■Check motor/engine and mounting attached to the airframe; ■Study pr** **opellers / mounting hardware (tight) / rotor blades for chips and deformation; ■Check the landing gear for damage and function**  **■Test electrical connections, plugged in and secure ■Ensure photo / video equipment mounting system is secure and operational.**  **■Check location of GPS equipment controlling the autopilot. ■Check the IMU movements in the ground control software.**  **■U AV** **in stabilization mode, ensure control surfaces move towards the correct positions ■U**  **AV / Drone is in a level location safe for ta**  **keoff ■FPV / Power up ground station**  **■FPV / Power up Video receiver / goggles ■If using Video recorder turn on camera system**  **■Camera settings are correct (still images, video, framerate) ■SD camera memory clear and inserted into the camera**  **■A ction /**  **Start filming ■A**  **ll transmitter controls move freely in all directions ■A**  **ll transmitter trims in neutral position**

**■A ll transmitter switches in correct position( typically away)**  **■Transmitter throttle to zero ■Radio transmitter on**  **■Connect / power on battery to airframe ■Ensure led indicators and audible tones are correct**  **■Timer on (if applicable) ■FPV, confirm video is in monitor / goggles**  **■Scan for nearby cars / people / animals ■Say “CLEA**  **R!” ■A**  **rm flight controller ■Increa**  **se throttle slightly listening for any abnormalities ■Short 20**  **- 30 second hover at 3**  **- 5 feet (listen for vibrations / loose items)**  **■Confirm Voltage levels are correct**



### In **- Flight**  **■Basics: If flying manually, always keep your fingers on the controller/tra nsmitter.**  **■Never let the UA**

**V out of your sight even for a second. ■Climb to a safe altitude away from potential hazards and to reduce noise pollution.**  **■Keep aircraft at a safe operating distance from people, electric utility lines and buildings. ■If th**  **e U AV** **must be flown over buildings or people, use a lightweight UA V and maintain a safe**  **altitude for recovery and make every effort to minimize exposure. ■Spotter: Use a spotter whenever possible and appropriate, especially when flying by First**  **Person Vie w (FPV).**  **■Do not fly UA**

**Vs within distance defined by local laws of any private/commercial airport/helipad ■Do not fly around a pre**  **- existing U**  **AV flying site without a frequency**  **- management agreement.**  **■Do not interfere with operations and traffic patterns at any airport**  **■Landing: Regardless of whether of a manual or automated UA V landing, scan landing area for**  **potential obstruction hazards. ■A**  **nnounce out loud “Preparing to Land”. ■Carefully land the aircraft away from obstructions and people.** 



### Post **- Flight**  **■Shutting Down: Turn the power off to the aircraft and/or disconnect the batteries. ■Turn off the transmitter.**  **■Turn the power off to the photo equipment. ■Visually check aircraft for signs of damage and/or excessive wear.**  **■Remove the unu sed fuel if applicable. Secure the aircraft.**  **■Check pictures: Verify that the UA V camera actually took the pictures.**  **■LOG FLIGHT**