UAV Safety Checklist

Area & Environment

■Hazards / Site Selection ■Check for wires / cables

■Animals

■People / bystanders

■Property in the vicinity

■Site is away from nonessential participants

■Ability 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 UAV at all times. 

Ensure the telemetry connection 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 ■Temperature

■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 ■NOTAMs

■Can you reach authorities

■Do you need to maintain communication?

■First Aid Kit stocked, readily accessible and visible to anyone in the area

Equipment / UAV / 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 arms 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 Airport Proximity Detection Functioning

■Props are smooth and free of damage / defect (check blade, surface and hub)

■Prop adapters are tight / secure

■Ensure 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

■All 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

■Checking 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 propellers / 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.

■UAV in stabilization mode, ensure control surfaces move towards the correct positions

■UAV / Drone is in a level location safe for takeoff

■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

■Action / Start filming

■All transmitter controls move freely in all directions
■All transmitter trims in neutral position

■All 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 “CLEAR!”

■Arm flight controller

■Increase 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/transmitter.

■Never let the UAV 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 the UAV must be flown over buildings or people, use a lightweight UAV 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 View (FPV).

■Do not fly UAVs within distance defined by local laws of any private/commercial airport/helipad

■Do not fly around a pre-existing UAV 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 UAV landing, scan landing area for 

potential obstruction hazards.

■Announce 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 unused fuel if applicable. Secure the aircraft.

■Check pictures: Verify that the UAV camera actually took the pictures.

■LOG FLIGHT