Preflight Form and Checklist

Clayton J 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 

check for loosened components

 FPV , inspect / clean FPV (Camera) lens and insure it is secured and connections

are firmly attached

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

 Battery / Batteries are fully charged, properly seated and secured

 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 contingencies 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 ensure 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 secure

 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 controls 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

 Radio 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: Regardless 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 that the UAV camera actually took the pictures.

 LOG FLIGHT