RedFox Studios Safety Checklist

UAV Flight Safety Checklist

Area & 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 the telemetry connection is not

obstructed.

○ Investigate potential alternative landing sites in case takeoff site is

obstructed.

● Psychological consideration (are you well rested, rushed, are you being pressured

by client)

● Weather considerations

○ Temperature

○ Visibility

○ Precipitation

● Wind Speed

○ 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 co­pilot 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.

Equipment / UAV / Drone

● Walk­around

● Crack in joints and structural members

● Loose or damaged screws, ties, fasteners, straps

● Loose or damaged wiring
RedFox Studios Safety Checklist

● Loose or damaged connections (solder, plugs, etc.)

● Inspect prop 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 connects are

firmly attached

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

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

● Fail­safe equipment functioning

○ RTH (return to home)

○ Recovery chute

○ Firmware Airport Proximity Detection Functioning

● Props are smooth and free of damage / defect (check blade, surface and hub)

● Prop 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 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

Pre­flight / Run­up

● Verifying all transmitter, on­board aircraft and camera batteries are fully charged;

(confirm voltages)

● Ensure 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 wing/rotors to ensure they are in good structural

condition and properly secured;

● Check motor/engine and mounting attached to the airframe;
RedFox Studios Safety Checklist

● Study propellers / mounting hardware (tight) / 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 control surfaces move towards the correct

positions

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

● If using Video recorder turn on camera system

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

● 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 20­30 second hover at 3­5 feet (listen for vibrations / loose items)

● Confirm Voltage levels are correct

In­Flight

● 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, use a lightweight UAV and

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).
RedFox Studios Safety Checklist

● Do not fly UAVs within distance defined by local laws of any private/commercial

airport/helipad

● Do not fly around a pre­existing 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.

Post­Flight

● 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 unused fuel if applicable. Secure the aircraft.

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

● LOG FLIGHT