General Pre-Flight Checklist

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Copyright © 2015 AerialSpecs, Inc. All rights reserved. Internal document, do not distribute.

AerialSpecs, Inc.

General Pre-Flight 

Checklist

For use with all unmanned aerial systems. Please see specific equipment 

documentation and operator’s manuals for equipment specific pre-flight actions.

WITHOUT PROPS OR BATTERY

1.0 Validate operational area is appropriately cordoned off.

2.0 Visually inspect the operational area for unauthorized personnel, or the general public.

3.0 Inspect two-way radio communications between Operator and Spotter

4.0 Inspect two-way aviation radio operating and on appropriate frequency for mission.

5.0 Fully Assemble UAV according to the operator’s manual, leaving off battery and props.

6.0 Visually inspect all mechanical connections that require pre-flight assembly:

a. Inspect for scuffing.

b. Inspect for cracking.

c. Inspect for chipping.

7.0 Physically inspect all mechanical connections that require pre-flight assembly. Gently attempt to 

move the parts unless explicitly recommended against in the operator’s manual:

a. Inspect for motion beyond tolerance.

b. Inspect for bending beyond tolerance.

8.0 Visually inspect props:

a. Inspect for scuffing.

b. Inspect for cracking.

c. Inspect for chipping.

Some scuffing or discolorations may be normal, especially from insect debris. Excessively dirty 

props may warrant cleaning with soap and water or approved cleaning cloth.

9.0 Visually inspect airframe:

FIXED WING UAV

a. Inspect leading edge and lifting side of wings and tail for scuffing.

b. Inspect leading edge and lifting side of wings and tail for cracking.

c. Inspect leading edge and lifting side of wings and tail for chipping.

MULTI-ROTOR UAV

a. Inspect frame for scuffing.

b. Inspect frame for cracking.

c. Inspect frame for chipping.

10.0 Visually inspect electrical connections:
General Pre-Flight Checklist

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Copyright © 2015 AerialSpecs, Inc. All rights reserved. Internal document, do not distribute.

a. Inspect for loose or detached connections.

b. Inspect for cracked, frayed, burned, or worn insulation.

11.0 Visually inspect and pneumatic or hydraulic connections:

a. Inspect for loose or detached connections.

b. Inspect for cracked, frayed, burned, or worn lines.

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

a. Inspect for any signs of spilled or leaking hydraulic fluid.

12.0 Visually inspect battery:

a. Inspect for bulging

b. Inspect for burning, cracking, or melting.

13.0 Test battery per operator’s manual for appropriate level required for the service being 

performed.

14.0 PERFORM ANY EQIUPMENT SPECIFIC CHECKS NOT REQUIRING POWER.

15.0 Install batteries per the operator’s manual.

WITHOUT PROPS

16.0 Remove any securing pins, flag, or covers per the operator’s manual.

17.0 Mark the take-off and landing zones with appropriate warning signs, cones, flags, tape, or other 

barriers.

18.0 Set UAV in take-off and landing zone.

19.0 Check batteries in UAV remote control for appropriate level per the operator’s manual.

20.0 Power up the UAV remote control per the operator’s manual.

21.0 Power up the UAV ground station (if any) per the operator’s manual.

22.0 Power up the UAV per the operator’s manual.

23.0 Validate no errors occurred during the power up sequence. Check the operator’s manual. Errors 

may appear as flashing signals on the UAV itself or various other messages in the sUAS.

24.0 Visually inspect flight control surfaces are operating normally:

FIXED WING UAV

a. Ensure rudders, elevators, ailerons or ailerators move the full range corresponding to the 

remote control input.

MULTI-ROTOR UAV

a. Power up the motors per the operator’s manual.

b. Ensure the appropriate motors throttle up or down according to the remote control 

input.

c. Shutdown motors per the operator’s manual.

25.0 SKIP THIS STEP FOR MULTI-ROTOR UAV

Validate the motor is operational are responds to input:

a. Power up the motors per the operator’s manual.

b. Ensure motors spin and speed up or slow down corresponding to remote control input.

c. Shutdown motors per the operator’s manual.

26.0 Visually inspect payload:

FOR UAV WITH CAMERA GIMBAL

a. Ensure gimbal moves in all available directions corresponding to the remote control 

input.

27.0 Validate the GPS unit in the flight controller is able to get fix.
General Pre-Flight Checklist

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Copyright © 2015 AerialSpecs, Inc. All rights reserved. Internal document, do not distribute.

28.0 Set the “Return to Home” point on the UAV and validate.

29.0 Ensure ground station has telemetry and video feeds required to complete mission.

30.0 Calibrate compass per the operator’s manual.

31.0 Calibrate Gyro/IMU per the operator’s manual (if any).

32.0 Validate external tracker has fix on UAV.

33.0 PERFORM ANY EQIUPMENT SPECIFIC CHECKS REMAINING THAT DO NOT REQUIRE PROPS.

34.0 Power down the UAV per the operator’s manual.

35.0 Install props per the operator’s manual.

36.0 PERFORM ANY EQIUPMENT SPECIFIC CHECKS REMAINING THAT REQUIRE PROPS.

WITH PROPS AND BATTERY

37.0 Ensure appropriate ATC phone numbers are available.

38.0 Validate Fly-Off checklist is available to Operator or Spotter.

39.0 Validate Post-Flight checklist is available to Operator or Spotter.

40.0 Power up the UAV per the operator’s manual.

41.0 Validate the GPS unit has a fix. The number of satellites required to functions varies per 

equipment. Consult the operator’s manual for the appropriate number of satellites for GPS fix.

42.0 Set the “Return to Home” point on the UAV and validate.

43.0 Upload the mission parameters for the service being provided, if any.

44.0 Ensure ground station has telemetry and video feeds required to complete mission.

45.0 Validate external tracker has fix on UAV.

46.0 Visually inspect the operational area for unauthorized personnel, or the general public.

47.0 Visually inspect no air traffic is in the operational area.

48.0 Call off “clear to fly” loudly in vicinity and over radio.

49.0 Wait for “thumbs up” hand signal from Spotter and corresponding “clear to fly” via voice or radio.

50.0 Power up the motors per the operator’s manual.

START FLIGHT