Drone ( UAV) Pre

- Flight

– 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 UAV at all times. Ensure the telemetry

connection is not obstr ucted.

o Investigate potential alternative landing sites in case take

- off site

is obstructed.

o Psychological consideratio n (are you well rested, rushed, are

you being pressured by client)

o Weather considerations

o Temperature

o Visibility

o Precipit ation

o Wind Speed

o Upper winds / at altitude

o Rotor (lee side of large objects)

o Notify any bystanders or nearby property owners of your intentions

(permission)

o Discuss flight plan with your co

- pilot or spotter

o 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

Drone Serial Number

.

o Walk

- around

o Crack in joints and structural members

o Loose or damaged screws, ties, fasteners, straps

o Loose or damaged wiring

o Loose or damaged connections (solder, plugs, etc.)

o Inspect prop mounts and screws and apply sligh t counter pressure on

arms to check for loosened components

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

connects are firmly attached

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

o Battery / Batteries are f ully charged, properly seated and Secured

o Fail

- safe equipment functioning

o RTH (return to home)

o Recovery chute

o Firmware Airport Proximity Detection Functioning

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

hub)

o Prop ad apters 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

! 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 / appe ar professional

# Pre

- flight / Run

- up

o Verifying all transmitter, on

- board aircraft and camera batteries are

fully charged; (confirm voltages)

o Ensure no frequency conflicts with both video and transmitter /

receiver

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

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 (tight) / rotor blades for chi ps

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 a utopilot.

o Check the IMU movements in the ground control software.

o UAV in stabilization mode, ensure control surfaces move towards the

correct positions

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

o FPV / Power up ground station

o FPV / Pow er up Video receiver / goggles

o If using Video recorder turn on camera system

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

o SD camera memory clear and inserted into the camera

o Action / Start filming

o All transmitter controls move fre ely in all directions

o All transmitter trims in neutral position

o All transmitter switches in correct position( typically away)

o Transmitter throttle to zero

o Radio transmitter on

o Connect / power on battery to airframe

o Ensure led indicators and aud ible tones are correct

o Timer on (if applicable)

o FPV, confirm video is in monitor / goggles

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 secon d hover at 3

- 5 feet (listen for vibrations / loose

items)

! Confirm Voltage levels are correct

# In

- Flight

Not to Exceed 200ft AGL

– and forward speed of 10mph

o Basics: If flying manually, always keep your fingers on the

controller/transmitter.

o Never let the UAV 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 UAV must be flown over buildings or people, use a lightweigh t

UAV 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 (FPV).

o Do not fly UAVs within distance defined by local laws of any

private/commercial airport/helipad

o Do not fly around a pre

- existing UAV flying site without a frequency

management agreement.

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

o Landing: Regardless of whethe r of a manual or automated UAV

landing, scan landing area for potential obstruction hazards.

o Announce out loud “ **Preparing to Land”.**

! 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 th e unused fuel if applicable. Secure the

aircraft.

o Check pictures: Verify that the UAV camera actually

took the pictures.

LOG FLIGHT

Date:

Start Time:

Location:

Client:

Purpose:

Description :

.