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 property in the vicinity

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

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

o Verify operating area 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.

PIC and Observer Psychological consideration

o Are you well rested and calm for flight operations? 

o Take 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?

Discussed 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 bushing cir-clips (bottom of motor armature) 

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

attached

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

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

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, including 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 motors 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 /data / test equipment mounting system is secure and operational.

o Check location of GPS equipment controlling the autopilot.

o UAV in stabilization 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 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 Confirm 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 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, 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 patterns 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