Area and Environment

• 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 

UAV at all times. Ensure the telemetry connection is not obstructed.

o 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

o Temperature

o Visibility

o Precipitation

• Wind Speed

o Upper winds / at altitude

o 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

o NOTAMs

o Can you reach authorities

o 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

o RTH (return to home)

o Recovery chute

o 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.

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

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