Safety Checklist - SkySurv 

Contents 

Area & Environment ..................................................................................................................................... 1 

Equipment / UAV / Drone ............................................................................................................................. 2 

Mission Plan .................................................................................................................................................. 3 

Public Awareness .......................................................................................................................................... 3 

Pre-flight / Run-up ........................................................................................................................................ 4 

In-Flight ......................................................................................................................................................... 5 

Post-Flight ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 

Area & Environment 

o Hazards / Site Selection

o Check for wires / cables 

o Animals 

o People / bystanders 

o Property in the vicinity 

o Site is away from nonessential participants 

o Ability to maintain adequate buffer zones between aircraft and personnel; 

o Minimize departures and landings over populated areas 

o Take into account local 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. 

o Psychological consideration (are you well rested, rushed, “get there-itis”, are you being 

pressured by client) 

o Weather considerations

o Temperature 

o Visibility 
o Precipitation 

o Wind Speed

o Upper winds / at altitude 

o Rotor (lee side of large objects) 

o Notify any bystanders or nearby property owners of your intentions (permission) 

o Discuss flight plan with your co-pilot or spotter 

o If flying in controlled airspace, have you notified airspace authority

o NOTAMs 

o Can you reach authorities 

o Do you need to maintain communication? 

o First Aid Kit stocked, readily accessible and visible to anyone in the area. 

Equipment / UAV / Drone 

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

attached 

o Camera settings are correct (still images, video, framerate) 

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

o Fail-safe equipment functioning 

o RTH (return to home) 

o Recovery chute 

o Firmware Airport Proximity Detection Functioning 

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 connected 

o Ensure arming / idle timeout is properly configured

o Correct model is selected in transmitter (if applicable) 

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

o Perform range test 

Mission Plan 

o All actions and contingencies for the mission planned. 

o Contingency planning should include safe routes in the event of a system failure, 

degraded performance, or lost communication link, if such a failsafe exists. 

o Mission plans and flight plans should be shared with other operators in the vicinity. 

Public Awareness 

o Be courteous and polite 

o You are an ambassador and your actions will affect other pilots and the 

industry in general 

o Be professional / appear professional 
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 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 motor/engine 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 equipment mounting system is secure and operational. 

o Check location of GPS equipment controlling the autopilot. 

o Check the IMU movements in the ground control software. 

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

positions 

o UAV / Drone is in a level location safe for takeoff

o FPV / Power up ground station 

o FPV / Power up Video receiver / goggles 

o If using Video recorder turn on camera system 

o Camera settings are correct (still images, video, framerate) 

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 FPV, confirm video is in monitor / goggles 

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 

In-Flight 

o Basics: If flying manually, 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, use a lightweight UAV and 

maintain a safe altitude for recovery and make every effort to minimize 

exposure. 

o Spotter: Use a spotter whenever possible and appropriate, especially when 

flying by First Person View (FPV). 

o Do not fly UAVs 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 frequencymanagement agreement. 

o Do not interfere with operations and traffic patterns at any airport 
o Landing: Regardless of whether of a manual or automated UAV landing, 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 Shutting Down: 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 Remove the unused fuel if applicable. Secure the aircraft. 

o Check pictures: Verify that the UAV camera actually took the pictures. 

o LOG FLIGHT