Drone/UAS PreFlight – Flight – Post Flight Plan

Area	&	Environment:

o Hazards	/	Site	Selection

o Check	for	wires	/	cables

o Animals

o People	/	bystanders

o Property	in	the	vicinity

o Site	is	away	from	nonessential	participants

o Ability	to	maintain	adequate	buffer	zones	between	aircraft	and	personnel

o Minimize	departures	and	landings	over	populated	areas

o Take	into	account	local	topography,	ensuring	a	visible	line	of	sight	towards	

the	Drone/UAS	at	all	times.	Ensure	the	telemetry	connection	is	not	obstructed.

o Investigate	potential	alternative	landing	sites	in	case take-off	site	is	

obstructed.

o Psychological	consideration	(are	you	well	rested,	rushed,	are	you	being	

pressured	by	client)

o Weather	considerations

o Temperature

o Visibility

o Precipitation

o Wind	Speed

o Upper	winds	/	at	altitude

o Discuss	flight	plan	with	your	co-pilot	or	spotter

o If	flying	in	controlled	airspace,	have	you	notified	airspace	authority?	NOTAMs

o Can	you	reach	authorities?

o Do	you	need	to	maintain	communication?

Note:	 First	Aid	Kit	stocked,	readily	accessible	and	visible	to	anyone	in	the	area.
Drone/UAS PreFlight – Flight – Post Flight Plan

Equipment:	 Drone/UAS

o Drone/UAS Certificate	of	Registration	Number

o Walk-around

o Crack	in	joints	and	structural	members

o Loose	or	damaged	screws,	ties,	wiring,	fasteners,	straps

o Inspect	prop	mounts	and	screws	and	apply	slight	counter	pressure	on	arms	to	

check	for	loosened	components

o FPV	,	inspect	/	clean	FPV	(Camera)	Lens	and	insure	it	is	secured	and

o Camera	settings	are	correct	(still	images,	video,	frame	rate)

o Battery	/	Batteries	are	fully	charged,	properly	seated	and	Secured

o Fail-safe	equipment	functioning

o RTH	(return	to	home)

o Recovery	Button	Functioning

o Firmware	Airport	Proximity	Detection	Functioning

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

o Prop	adapters	are	tight	/	secure

o Ensure	voltage	alarm	is	connected

o Ensure	arming	/	idle	timeout	is	properly	configured

o Correct	model	is	selected	in	transmitter	(if	applicable)

o Check	RC	transmitter	shows	the	right	range	and	centering	for	all	sticks

o Perform	range	test

Pre-flight	/	Run-up
Drone/UAS PreFlight – Flight – Post Flight Plan

o Verifying	all	transmitter,	on-board	aircraft	and	camera	batteries	are	fully	

charged

o Ensure	no	frequency	conflicts	with	both	video	and	transmitter/receiver

o Checking	all	control	surfaces	for	signs	of	damage,	loose	hinges,	and

o overall	condition;	Looking	over	the	wing/rotors	to	ensure	they	are	in good	

structural	condition	and	properly	secured

o Check	motor/engine	and	mounting	attached	to	the	airframe;

o Study	propellers	/	mounting	hardware	/	rotor	blades	for	chips and	

deformation;

o Check	the	landing	gear	for	damage	and	function

o Test	electrical	connections,	plugged	in	and	secure

o Ensure	photo	/	video	equipment	mounting	system	is	secure	and operational.

o Check	location	of	GPS	equipment	controlling	the	autopilot.

o Drone/UAS in	stabilization	mode,	ensure	control	surfaces	move	towards	the

correct	positions

o Drone/UAS is	in	a	level	location	safe	for	takeoff

o Power	up	Video	receiver	/	goggles

o If	using	Video	recorder	turn	on	camera	system

o Camera	settings	are	correct	

o SD	camera	memory	clear	and	inserted	into	the	camera

o Radio	transmitter	on

o Connect	/	power	on	battery	to	airframe

o Ensure	led	indicators	and	audible	tones	are	correct

o Scan	for	nearby	cars	/	people	/	animals

o Say	“CLEAR!”

o Arm	flight	controller

o Increase	throttle	slightly	listening	for	any	abnormalities

o Short	20-30	second	hover	at	3-5	feet	(listen	for	vibrations	/	loose

o items)
Drone/UAS PreFlight – Flight – Post Flight Plan

In-Flight

Not	to	Exceed	100ft	AGL	– and	forward	speed	of	5-10mph Max

o Always keep	your	fingers	on	the controller/transmitter.

o Never	let	the Drone/UAS out	of	your	sight	even	for	a	second.

o Climb	to	a	safe	altitude	away	from	potential	hazards	and	to	reduce noise	

pollution.

o Keep	aircraft	at	a	safe	operating	distance	from	people,	electric	utility lines	and	

buildings.

o If	the	Drone/UAS must	be	flown	over	buildings	or	people,	use	a	lightweight

UAS and	maintain	a	safe	altitude	for	recovery	and	make	every	effort to	

minimize	exposure.

o Spotter:	Use	a	spotter	whenever	possible	and	appropriate,	especially when	

flying	by	First	Person	View	

o Do	not	fly Drone/UAS within	distance	defined	by	local	laws	of	any

private/commercial	airport/helipad

o Do	not	fly	around	a	pre-existing	Drone/UAS flying	site	without	a	frequency

management agreement.

o Do	not	interfere	with	operations	and	traffic	patterns	at	any	airport

o Landing: Regardless	of	whether	of	a	manual	or	automated	Drone/UAS	landing,	

scan	landing	area	for	potential	obstruction	hazards.

o Announce	out	loud	“Preparing	to	Land”.

o Carefully	land	the	aircraft	away	from	obstructions	and	people.

Post-Flight

o Shutting	Down:	Turn	the	power	off	to	the	aircraft and/or	disconnect	the	

batteries.

o Turn	off	the	transmitter.

o Turn	the	power	off	to	the	photo	equipment.

o Visually	check	aircraft	for	signs	of	damage	and/or excessive	wear.

o Remove	the	unused	fuel	if	applicable.	Secure	the aircraft.

o Check	pictures:	Verify	that	the	Drone/UAS camera	actually took	the	pictures.
Drone/UAS PreFlight – Flight – Post Flight Plan

LOG	FLIGHT

Date:__________________________

Start	Time:___________________

Stop Time: ___________________

Location:_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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Client:_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Purpose:______________________________________________________________________________________________

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Description:_________________________________________________________________________________________

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