## Preflight Form and Checklist

**George W Inskeep’s**  **DJI Phantom 3 quadcopter** 

## Area and 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 that the telemetry connection is not obstructed.  Investigate potential alternative landing sites in case take -off site is obstructed. **Psychological consideration**  

### :  Is the PIC well rested? 

###  Is the client pressuring the PIC?

 **Weather considerations**   Temperature  Visibility  Precipitation  **Wind Speed**   Verify ground wind speed using a portable anemometer  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. 

## UAV/Equipment/Drone:

 **Pre -** **flight inspect for:**   Cracks in joints and structural members  Loose or damaged screws, ties, fasteners, straps  Loose or damaged wiring  Loose or damaged connections (solder, plugs, etc.)  Inspect rotor mounts and screws and apply slight counter pressure on arms to ch eck for loosened components  FPV , inspect / clean FPV (Camera) l ens and insure it is secured and connect ions are firmly attached  Camera settings are correct (still images, video, frame rate)  Battery / Batteries are fully charged, properly seated and s ecure d  Fail -safe equipment functioning  RTH (return to home)  Recovery chute  Firmware Airport Proximity Detection Functioning  Rotors are smooth and free of damage / defect (check blade, surface and hub)  Rotor 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 that RC transmitter shows the right range and centering for all sticks

 Perform range test 

## Mission Plan:

 All actions and contingenc ies 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 that 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 rotors to ensu re they are in good structural condition and properly secured;  Check motor and mounting attached to the airframe;  Inspect rotor blades for chips and deformation;  Check the landing gear for damage and function Test electrical connections, plugged in and sec ure

 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 s 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  Rad io 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, 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 frequencymanagement agreement.  Do not interfere with operations and traffic patterns at any airport  Landing: Rega rdless 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 battery . Secure the aircraft.

 Check pictures: Verify tha t the UAV camera actually took the pictures.  LOG FLIGHT