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UAV Inspection and Check List

Rev August 11, 2015

Souder, Miller & Associates

UAV Inspection and Check List

We have compiled the following checklist based information for UAV photogrammetry. This is by no 

means a complete course, but a refresher and daily reminder of what you need to do in order to fly

safely.

Flight Log:

It is critical to keep a log of flights and conditions related to them. This will insure battery and airframe 

life. Just ask us and we will send you a copy to print. The log includes the following as well as other 

information:

1) Pilot flight time

2) Aircraft flight time

3) Aircraft maintenance and updates

4) Battery usage, date put into service, voltage and capacity vs time

We will also provide you with a chart with LED definitions, this will be used on a regular basis, 

laminate it and refer to it to learn what the copter is telling you.

Bench Set up and testing:

 All screws/bolts are tight

 Batteries are secure, Antennas are secure, Props balanced, Props aligned, Props not 

chipped

 Check blades, arms, etc. for cracks/damage

 Wiring Tight

 No excessive flexing of motors or booms o Booms/motors will not twist o Center of 

gravity is correct

 Warning lights set for low battery if used

 Batteries charged. Replace any battery which cycles below 80% of rated capacity

 Laptop Battery

 Flight Battery

 RC /Tx Battery

 Video Rx Battery

 Charged iPad and Laptop

Inventory Checklist:

• Camera with Clean SD Card, Spare cards and batteries. Format cards in the camera for best 

results. Use fast cards.

• Spare copter parts and props, tools

• Spare flight batteries
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UAV Inspection and Check List

Rev August 11, 2015

• Flight Controller software loaded on iPad or PC and RC transmitter

• Video monitor, stand, iPad mount battery and antennas

• Datalink and iPad

Compass Calibration;

The compass needs to be calibrated each day or when changing locations. Even a distance of less than a 

mile requires a recalibration to maintain flight accuracy.

• Unplug gimbal leads; this will stop the gimbal from maintaining attitude during calibration.

• Quickly switchthecontrolmode switchfromGPSModetoManualModeand backtoGPSModefor6 to

10times ̧TheLEDindicatorwillturnonsolidBLUE.

• Rotate the copter about the horizontal axis for about 360 degrees until the LED goes to solid

GREEN.

• Now hold the copter with the nose DOWN and rotate up to 360 degrees until the LED turns OFF.

This indicates a successful calibration.

• The LED indicator will show weather the calibration was successful or not;

 If the LED is white for 3 seconds then turns off, calibration was successful.

 If the LED flashes RED quickly, calibration has failed. Repeat the process above starting 

with the control mode switching.

• Unplug power, compass calibration will be maintained during restart

• Calibrate every day and when changing locations.

Preflight Checklist

1. Position Ground Control Station, (GCS). Pay attention; sun angle, screen and copter visibility 

need to be maintained.

2. Identify an emergency landing zone (LZ) in another part of the job; this should be at or near the 

far end of the mission.

3. Verify the area is secure and all personal know a UAV will be flying.

4. Props installed correctly - (silver/top – black/bottom)

5. Switch on Transmitter, verify operation and voltage (no less than 4.9v)

6. Check flight battery level.

7. Attach battery to copter, verify CG.

8. Connect both battery leads from flight battery. Verify they are not in the way of flight 

components. (main – Yellow XT90; video transmitter – white balance tab)

9. GCS set up and everything on with full batteries

10. Camera Setup

a. Lens cap removed

b. Card has enough capacity

c. IR firing mechanism is set up properly 
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UAV Inspection and Check List

Rev August 11, 2015

d. Battery has enough power

e. Camera is balanced on gimbal

f. Turn on shutter switch on controller to verify shutter cycling (fully cycle shutter on 

camera manually first, then test cycle through transmitter).

g. Verify camera image visible on LCD monitor

11. Plug in gimbal wires – (p=pitch axis; r= roll axis)

12. Verify all camera gimbal hold down knobs are tight, verify each flight.

13. Position UAV at takeoff location and power up there to set the “HOME” position. (setup can be 

done on top of carrying case to make access easier then moved to takeoff location and powered 

up again there)

14. Verify satellites received by observing LED’s on copter and on screen display (OSD) – (min. 7)

15. Test gimbal (tilt function) and datalink to GCS

16. Upload Mission

17. Verify altitude in OSD is zero

18. Leave copter and go to GCS.

a. OSD is receiving camera image. Camera may need to be cycled by taking a picture. 

b. OSD is receiving copter data. Verify battery voltage, zero elevation and number of

satellites.

c. GCS, either PC or iPad has communication with copter.

d. GCS is situated to take advantage of flight path and sun angle

During Mission

1. Battery voltage is the single most critical component to mission success. Watch carefully.

2. Follow mission on GCS with verification by visual contact with copter

3. Mission timing can be affected by wind and density altitude, be ready to abort at any time when 

battery voltage dictates.

4. If battery runs down before mission completion, alternate LZ may be needed to safely complete 

mission. Land safely and adjust next mission to accommodate weather conditions.

5. When regular mission is completed, land safely and allow motors to shut off by fully throttling 

down.

6. “RTH” – Return-to-Home function if needed, is done by holding the (red) SW9 for 10 sec. and

releasing. The copter will begin the “return to home” function and can be interrupted at 

anytime for normal flight by toggling the “green” flight mode switch SW6/7 a minimum of 3 

cycles and resetting the flight mode switch back to “GPS” mode (full forward). You can resume 

normal flight.

7. For navigation lights, toggle (white) SW2 switch.

Landing Checklist

1. Verify LZ is clear

2. Land copter

3. Bring controller with you to the copter
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UAV Inspection and Check List

Rev August 11, 2015

4. Unplug main power first then balanced power plug from battery

5. Turn off controller

6. Check motor temps, very warm to the touch is OK, temps should be consistent for all 8 motors

Flying Again?

1. Replace or verify capacity of card. It is best to replace cards between flights.

2. Replace battery, verify CG and battery voltage

3. Inspect copter fully for loose and broken items.

4. Verify integrity of props, wiring, bolts and other connections

5. Follow normal preflight procedures outlined above

Done for the day

1. Inspect copter frame for damage or stress

2. Inspect props for dings or stress cracks

3. Verify motors turn freely

4. Remove props and turn down arms.

5. Check flight control connectors and wiring

6. Remove gimbal leads

7. Safely pack copter and props