# Safety Checklist

Area & Environment Hazards / Site Selection

- Check for overhead wires / cables

- Animals

- People / bystanders

- Visually review and be aware of property in the vicinity

- Nonessential participants away from takeoff and landing site (100’)

- Adequate buffer zones between aircraft and personnel; (30’)

- Verify operating area topography, ensuring a visible line of sig ht towards the UAV at all times. E n sure the telemetry connec tion will not be obstructed during flight.

- Investigate potential alternative landing sites in case take

- off site in the event of an emergency. 

### PIC and Observer Psychological consideration

- Are you well rested and calm for flight operations?

- Take a mi nute and relax if rushed


### Weather considerations

- Check METARs and TAFs

- Temperature

- Visibility

- Precipitation 

### Wind Speed

- Ground Wind Speed

- Winds Aloft


### * Are bystanders or nearby property owners aware of planned flight operations? *Discuss flight plan with your co - pilot or spotter.
* If flying in controlled airspace, have you notified and received clearance from airspace authority ?- NOTAMs

- Can you reach authorities?

- Do you need to maintain communication? If so, how will you maintain communication with airspace authority? 

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

## Preflight Checklist

- Check Structure for any cracks or separation

- Loose or damaged screws, ties, f asteners, 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

- Inspect for loose motors inside motor housing

- F PV, inspect / clean FPV (Camera) Lens and e nsure it is secured and connections are firmly attached

- Camera settings are correct (still images, video, framerate)

- Battery / Batteries are fully charged, properly seated and Secured Battery door closed and l atched

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

- Prop adapters are tight / secure

- Ensure voltage alarm is set

- Correct model is selected in transmitter

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

- Perform Compass Calibration as required


## Mission Plan

- All actions and contingencies for the mission planned.

- Contingency planning, including fail

- safe mode configuration in the event of a system failure, degraded performance, or lost communication link.

- Mission and contingency plans reviewed with participants.



## 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 control 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 motors 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 /data / test equipment mounting system is secure and operational.

- Check location of GPS equipment controlling the autopilot /return to home function
.

- UAV in Angle, Smart mode, ensure contr ol surfaces move towards the correct positions

- UAV is in a level location safe for takeoff

- Power up ground station

- P ower up Aircraft

- 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 c orrect position

- Transmitter throttle to zero

- Ensure led indicators and audible tones are correct

- Confirm video feed is in monitor

- Scan for nearby cars / people / animals

- Say , “CLEAR TAKEOFF AREA !”

- Arm flight controller

- Increase throttle slightly listening for any abnormalities

- Short 20

- 30 secon d hover at 3

- 5 feet (listen for vibrations / loose items)

- Confirm Voltage levels are correct

- Proceed with Flight



## In - Flight

- 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, maintain a safe altitude for recovery and make every effort to minimize exposure.

- Spotter must maintain visual contact with UAV.

- Do not fly 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 manual or automated, scan landing area for potential obstruction hazar ds.- Announce out loud “Preparing to Land Clear Landing Area.”

- Carefully land the aircraft away from obstructions and people.


## Post - Flight

- Verify video/photo/data is saved

- 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.

- Check data: Verify that the UAV data collected is as expected.

- LOG FLIGHT