700 North Glenville Drive, Suite 700, Richardson, Texas 75081

www.iwire365.com

Drone & UAV Safety Checklist
700 North Glenville Drive, Suite 700, Richardson, Texas 75081

www.iwire365.com

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.
700 North Glenville Drive, Suite 700, Richardson, Texas 75081

www.iwire365.com

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
700 North Glenville Drive, Suite 700, Richardson, Texas 75081

www.iwire365.com

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.

Public Awareness 

§ Be courteous and polite

§ You are an ambassador and your actions will affect other pilots and the industry in general

§ Be professional / appear professional
700 North Glenville Drive, Suite 700, Richardson, Texas 75081

www.iwire365.com

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
700 North Glenville Drive, Suite 700, Richardson, Texas 75081

www.iwire365.com

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