UAS	FLIGHT	SAFETY	CHECKLIST 1

UAS	Flight	Safety	Checklist

Area	&	Environment	

Hazards	/	Site	Selection	

o Check	for	overhead	wires	/	cables	

o Animals	

o People	/	bystanders	

o Visually	review	and	be	aware	of	property	in	the	vicinity	

o Nonessential	participants	away	from	takeoff	and	landing	site	(100’)	

o Adequate	buffer	zones	between	aircraft	and	personnel;	(30’)	

o Verify	operating	area	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.	

PIC	and	Observer	Psychological	consideration	

o Are	you	well	rested	and	calm	for	flight	operations?	

o Take	a	minute	and	relax	if	rushed	

Weather	considerations	

o Temperature	(minimum	temperature	at	altitude	-10	C)

o Visibility	(Minimum	VFR	– 3	miles)

o Precipitation	

o Solar	Flare	activity	that	could effect	GPS	and	radio	operations	(Maximum	Planetary	K	

Index	of	less	than	4.0)

Wind	Speed	

o Ground	Wind	Speed	

o Upper	winds	/	at	altitude	

o Can	drone	return against	wind

Are	bystanders	or	nearby	property	owners	aware	of	planned	flight	

operations?	

Discussed	flight	plan	with	your	co-pilot	or	spotter?	

If	flying	in	controlled	airspace,	have	you	notified	and	received	clearance	from	

airspace	authority	

o NOTAMs	
																	

UAS	FLIGHT	SAFETY	CHECKLIST 2

o Can	you	reach	authorities?	

o 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.	

Equipment	/	UAV	/	Drone

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	slight	counter	pressure	on	arms	to	check	

for	loosened	components	

o Inspect	motor	bushing	cir-clips	(bottom	of	motor	armature)	

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

firmly	attached	(remove	gimbal	lock)

o Camera	settings	are	correct	(still	images,	video,	frame rate)	

o Battery	/	Batteries	are	fully	charged,	properly	seated	and	Secured	

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

o Prop	adapters	are	tight	/	secure	

o Ensure	voltage	alarm	is	set	

o Correct	model	is	selected	in	transmitter	

o Check	RC	transmitter	shows	the	right	range	and	centering	for	all	sticks	

Mission	Plan	

o All	actions	and	contingencies	for	the	mission	planned.	

o Contingency	planning,	including	fail	safe	mode	configuration	in	the	event	of	a	system	

failure,	degraded	performance,	or	lost	communication	link.	

o Mission	and	contingency	plans	reviewed	with	participants.
																	

UAS	FLIGHT	SAFETY	CHECKLIST 3

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	control	transmitter	/	receiver	

o 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;	

o Check	motors	and	mounting	attached	to	the	airframe;	

o Study	propellers	/	mounting	hardware	(tight)	/	rotor	blades	for	chips	and	

deformation;	

o Check	the	landing	gear	for	damage	and	function	

o Test	electrical	connections,	plugged	in	and	secure	

o Ensure	photo	/	video	/data	/	test	equipment	mounting	system	is	secure	and	

operational.	

o Check	location	of	GPS	equipment	controlling	the	autopilot.	

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

positions	

o UAV	is	in	a	level	location	safe	for	takeoff	

o Power	up	ground	station	

o Power	up	video	receiver	/	goggles	

o If	using	video	recorder	turn	on	camera	system	

o Camera	settings	are	correct	(still	images,	video,	frame rate)	

o SD	camera	memory	clear	and	inserted	into	the	camera	

o Action	/	Start	filming	

o All	transmitter	controls	move	freely	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	audible	tones	are	correct	

o Timer	on	(if	applicable)	

o Confirm	video	feed	is	in	monitor	

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	second	hover	at	3-5	feet	(listen	for	vibrations	/	loose	items)

o Confirm	Voltage	levels	are	correct	
																	

UAS	FLIGHT	SAFETY	CHECKLIST 4

In-Flight	

o 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,	maintain	a	safe	altitude	for	

recovery	and	make	every	effort	to	minimize	exposure.	

o Spotter	must	maintain visual	contact	with	UAV.	

o Do	not	fly	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	whether	manual	or	automated,	scan	landing	area	for	potential	

obstruction	hazards.	

o Announce	out	loud	“Preparing	to	Land”.	

o Carefully	land	the	aircraft	away	from	obstructions	and	people.	

Post-Flight	

o Verify	video/photo/data	is	saved	

o 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 Check	data:	Verify	that	the	UAV	data	collected	is	as	expected.	

o LOG	FLIGHT