## UAS Safety Checklist

Equipment / UAS check

• Inspect UAS for for 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 cou nter pressure on arms to heck 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, f ramerate) o Battery / Batteries are fully charged, properly sea ted and Secured o Fail-safe equipment functioning ■ RTH (return to home) o Recovery chute o Firmware Airport Proximity Detection Functioning

• 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 applic able) o Check RC transmitter shows the right range and cent ering for all sticks o Perform range test 

### Environment & Area of operation check

• 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 a ircraft and personnel; • Minimize departures and landings over populated area s • Take into account local topography, ensuring a visi ble line of sight towards the UAV at all times. Ensure the telemetry connection is not obstr ucted. • Investigate potential alternative landing sites in case take-off site is obstructed. • Psychological consideration (are you well rested, r ushed, “get there-itis”, 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 co-pilot 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 visib le to anyone in the area



### Mission Plan check

• All actions and contingencies for the mission plann ed. • Contingency planning should include safe routes in the event of a system failure, degraded performance, or lost communication link, i f such a failsafe exists. • Mission plans and flight plans should be shared wit h other operators in the vicinity. 

### Pre-flight / Run-up

• Verifying all transmitter, on-board aircraft and ca mera batteries are fully charged; (confirm voltages) • Ensure no frequency conflicts with both video and t ransmitter / 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 air frame; • Study propellers / mounting hardware (tight) / roto r 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 s ecure and operational. • Check location of GPS equipment controlling the aut opilot. • Check the IMU movements in the ground control softw are. • UAV in stabilization mode, ensure control surfaces m ove towards the correct positions • UAV / Drone is in a level location safe for takeoff • FPV / Power up ground station • FPV / Power up Video receiver / goggles • If using Video recorder turn on camera system • Camera settings are correct (still images, video, f ramerate) • SD camera memory clear and inserted into the camera • Action / Start filming • All transmitter controls move freely in all directi ons • All transmitter trims in neutral position• All transmitter switches in correct position( typic ally 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 abnorm alities • Short 20-30 second hover at 3-5 feet (listen for vi brations / loose items) • Confirm Voltage levels are correct 

### In-Flight precautions

• Basics: If flying manually, always keep your finger s on the controller/transmitter. • Never let the UAV out of your sight even for a seco nd. • Climb to a safe altitude away from potential hazards and to reduce noise pollution. • Keep aircraft at a safe operating distance from peo ple, 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 approp riate, especially when flying by First Person View (FPV). • Do not fly UAVs within distance defined by local la ws of any private/commercial airport/helipad • Do not fly around a pre-existing UAV flying site wi thout a frequency-management agreement. • Do not interfere with operations and traffic patter ns at any airport • Landing: Regardless of whether of a manual or autom ated UAV landing, scan landing area for potential obstruction hazards. • Announce out loud “Preparing to Land”. • Carefully land the aircraft away from obstructions and people. 

### Post-Flight

• Shutting Down: Turn the power off to the aircraft a nd/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 ai rcraft. • Check pictures: Verify that the UAV camera actually took the pictures. • LOG FLIGHT