DJI Phantom 3 Pre-Flight & Post-Flight Checklist

Flight Preparation Checklist

1: Visually inspect the Phantom 3 aircraft for body damage taking greater attention to the landing 

gear and camera/gimbal.

2: Check the propellers you will use during the flying session for damage like chips, cracks, bending 

and hub wear.

3: Check your batteries for damage/signs of swelling. Swollen batteries should not be used for flying.

4: Spin the motors with your fingers to make sure neither feel/sound different.

5: Charge all required flight batteries. Run the battery self-check feature.

6: Charge the Phantom 3 controller and check the power on/off switch to verify it works.

7: Charge your mobile device. Close all running apps then test the Pilot App to make sure it opens.

8: Make sure you have MicroSD card(s) available and that they are empty/formatted. Slot one inside 

the Phantom so it is ready.

9: Power on the controller then the Phantom 3 and quickly check that IMU readings are within range. 

It should normally be OK. Power everything back off.

10. Verify cache maps in the DJI Pilot App are needed.

11: Make sure gimbal guard is fitted before transporting the Phantom 3. 

12: Pack the Phantom 3 in your chosen method of transport making sure it is secure.

13. Check weather, solar radiation/storm levels, wind speed/direction and that the location you will fly 

in is within a No Fly Zone or not.

Pre-Flight Checklist

1: Make sure the area you are going to fly in is safe not only for you and your phantom but members 

of the public, animals and other aircraft too. 

2: Carefully unpack the Phantom 3 and the controller, tablet, batteries and propellers onto a clean 

surface. Check the Phantom 3 to make sure it was transported without incurring any damage. Also 

remember to remove any lens caps and ensure the camera lens is clean.

3: Mount your tablet/phone onto the Phantom 3 controller and attach the USB cable from the device 

to the controller.

4: Put the battery into the Phantom 3 making sure it is seated correctly (there should be almost no 

gap between the Phantom’s shell and the battery).

5: Attach a set of propellers to each motor. Make sure to mount the black headed hubs to the black 

tipped motors and the gray headed hubs to the silver tipped motors. Make sure to snugly tighten the 

propellers by hand.

6: Place the Phantom 3 on clean level ground. Use a small square sheet of plywood or a transport 
case if needed.

7: Remove the gimbal guard.

8: Power on the controller and then the Phantom 3. Open the Pilot App on your tablet/phone and 

verify that you can see a live feed from the aircraft. Allow it to set a “Home Point”. Monitor the 

aircraft’s status lights to confirm this as well as the Pilot App. Have the antennas set up like rabbit 

ears (Looking at the controller from the side _| – Looking at the controller from the front \_/ ).

9. Turn the volume up on the tablet with the Pilot App open.

10. Set the brightness to “full” on your tablet.

11: Calibrate the compass. Keep the Phantom 3 about 10 feet from the controller and any metal 

objects when performing compass calibration. If the calibration fails, move the Phantom 3 from its 

current location and try again.

12. Check that the PAF switch is in the desired position. P mode is best to start with.

13: Move about 10 feet from the Phantom 3 making sure the back of it is facing you. Arm the motors 

using the CSC (Combination Stick Command). The Pilot App will confirm the aircraft is ready to fly. 

Make sure a valid “Home Point” has been recorded.

14: Slowly increase the throttle and lift the Phantom 3 about 15 feet off the ground. Do a slow 

left/right/forward/back movement and YAW to confirm it is stable and working as expected. You can 

now enjoy flying the DJI Phantom 3.

Post-Flight Checklist

1: Land or hand catch the Phantom 3 and power it off (it will take a few seconds before the aircraft is 

switched off, don’t do anything until it is OFF ). Power off the controller.

2: With the Phantom 3 on a clean surface, give it a quick check for damage, dirt and dead flies. 

3: Remove the propellers. Use the provided prop tool to loosen them if needed. Give them a quick 

look over for damage before storing them.

4: Remove the battery. It might be a little warm after flight, this is normal. Check it for 

damage/swelling and if all is OK, place it aside to cool a little while you continue with the checklist.

5: Remove the phone/tablet from the holder. Put the controller back into your chosen method of 

transport.

6: Refit the gimbal guard.

7: Put the Phantom 3 back into your chosen method of transport.

8: Put the battery back into your chosen method of transport.

9: Make sure you haven’t left anything behind before leaving.