UAS	FLIGHT	SAFETY	CH ECKLIST 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	s igh t	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 NOTAMsUAS	FLIGHT	SAFETY	CH ECKLIST 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	structur al	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 Batter y	/	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 Ch eck	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	CH ECKLIST 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; Loo king	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	transmitte r	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	correctUAS	FLIGHT	SAFETY	CH ECKLIST 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	tr affic	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	excessiv e	wear.

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

o LOG	FLIGHT