# Safety Checklist

Area & Environment Hazards / Site Selection

o Check for overhead wires / cables

o Animals

o People / bystanders

o Visually review and be aware of p roperty in the vicinity

o N onessential participants away from takeoff and landing site (100’)

o A dequate buffer zones between aircraft and personnel; (30’)

o Verify operating area topography, ensuring a visible line of sight towards the UAV at all times,

e nsure the telemetry connection is not obstructed.

o Investigate potential alternative landing sites in case take

- off site is obstructed. 

### PIC and Observer Psychological consideration

o A re you well rested and calm for flight operations?

o Tak e a minute and relax if rushed 

### Weather considerations

o Temperature

o Visibility

o Precipitation 

### Wind Speed

o Ground Wind Speed

o Upper winds / at altitude



### Are bystanders or nearby property owners aware of planned flight operations?

Discuss ed flight plan with your co

- pilot or spotter ?

If flying in controlled airspace, have you notified and received clearance from airspace authority

o NOTAMs

o Can you reach authorities ?

o Do you need to maintain communication? If so, how will you maintain communication with airspace authority?



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

# Safety Checklist

Equipment / UAV / Drone

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 Inspect motor bus h ing cir

- clips (bottom of motor armature)

o FPV , inspect / clean FPV (Camera) Lens and insure it is secured and connect ion s are firmly attached

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

o Battery / Batteries are fully charged, properly seated and Secu red

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 set

o Correct model is selected in transmitter

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



## Mission Plan

o All actions and contingencies for the mission planned.

o Contingency planning, includ ing fail safe mode configuration in the event of a system failure, degraded performance, or lost communication link

.
o Mission and contingency plans reviewed with participants

.

# Safety Checklist

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 control 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 s 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 fu nction

o Test electrical connections, plugged in and secure

o Ensure photo / video /data / test equipment mounting system is secure and operational.

o Check location of GPS equipment controlling the autopilot.

o UAV in st abilization mode, ensure control surfaces move towards the correct positions

o UAV is in a level location safe for takeoff

o Power up ground station

o Power up v ideo receiver / goggles

o If using v ideo recorder turn on camera system

o Camera settings are cor rect (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 C onfirm video feed is in monitor

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

# Safety Checklist

In

- Flight

o A lways 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 pol lution.

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

o Spotter must maintain visual contact with UAV.

o Do not fly 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 frequency

- management agreement.

o Do not interfere with operations and traffic pa tterns at any airport

o Landing: Regardless of whether manual or automated, 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 Verify video/photo/data is saved

o 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 Check data : Verify that the UAV data collected is as expected.

o LOG FLIGHT