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 sight towards the UAV at all times.

Ensure the telemetry connection 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 minute 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, 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 

- Inspect for loose motors inside motor housing 

- FPV, inspect / clean FPV (Camera) Lens and ensure 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 latched

- 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 control surfaces move towards the correct positions 

- UAV is in a level location safe for takeoff 

- Power up ground station 

- Power 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 correct 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 second 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 

hazards. 
- 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