Ayres Field Preflight & Safety 

Checklist

This document is intended to provide a repeatable method of field safety, 

operation and system inspection prior to each UAS flight to verify that all systems 

are functioning normally and all safety precautions are taken. Safety is no 

accident. The following checklist must be performed prior to all UAS flights

Date: ___________ Project: ___________________Pilot: ___________

VO: ____________ Planned Altitude: ___________Speed: __________

Location: _________ Altimeter Reading __________

Verification of Airfields ___________

Weather Conditions (VFR) ___________

Power (20% Reserve) / Flight Safety Plan ___________

COA Filed Date : ___________COA Verification ____________

NOTAM Filed For Flight Date : ___________NOTAM Verification ____________

Customer SignOff – Waiver and Liability Form Completed __________

Check and Stay Clear of the following: sensitive infrastructure or property such 

as ____________

(1) power stations, 

(2) water treatment facilities, 

(3) correctional facilities, 

(4) heavily traveled roadways,

(5) government facilities

(6) RESPECT PERSONAL PRIVACY
Field Safety Checklist 

UA will remain clear and yield the right of way to all manned 

aviation operations and activities at all times

UAS will not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or 

vehicle

UA will not be operated over congested or densely populated areas

Operations will be conducted at least 500 feet from all 

nonparticipating persons

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently 

protect nonparticipating persons from the UA 

and/or debris in the event of an accident

b. Nonparticipating persons remain under such 

protection. 

c. nonparticipating persons leave such protection and 

are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations will

cease immediately

d. The aircraft is operated near vessels, vehicles or 

structures where the owner/controller of such 

vessels, vehicles or structures has granted 

permission and the PIC has made a safety 

assessment of the risk of operating closer to those 

objects and determined that it does not present an 

undue hazard

e. Operations nearer to the PIC, VO, operator trainees 

or essential persons do not present an undue hazard 

to those persons

All operations shall be conducted over private or controlled-access 

property with permission from the land owner/controller or 

authorized representative

Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses 

the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as 

defined by the applicable COA will be reported to the 

FAA's UAS Integration Office (AFS-80) within 24 hours. 

Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation 

Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions contained on the 

NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov.
System Safety & Operational Checklist 

Description Checked

Airframe

Check that all the screws on the frame, gimbal and motor mounts 

are still securely fastened.

Check that all the ABS parts are still intact and do not show signs of 

wear or fatigue, particularly the inner mounts.

Check the carbon plates and tubes for wear and damage that would 

reduce the structural integrity of the frame.

Motors

Check that the prop holder is still secure fastened to the motor with 

all three screws and that the nut and tread that Secures the prop is 

still in good condition.

Check that the motor is still securely fastened to the motor mount 

with all 4 screws.

Check that the motor runs smooth when turned by hand and that 

there is not any play in the bearings.

Check that the motors are free of dust and any other foreign 

particles.

Check that the motor windings do not show any damage or 

bubbling/melting. Also check that the motor wires are not damaged.

Electronics

Check that the battery connector is in good condition and that the 

soldering is still secure. Also make sure the wires are not damaged.

Check that the wires between the ESC and the motors are not 

damaged.

Check that all the different electronic modules are still securely 

fastened. Check the ESC, Gimbal Control Board, Receiver, Flight 

Controller, GPS/Compass, etc.

Check that all the various plugs that connect all the electronics are 

still securely plugged in.

Where possible, check that all the solder joints are still in good 

condition.

Check that all the electronics are free of dust or dirt.

Check sensor readings for abnormalities. (Check in Mission 

Planner, Compass reading, GPS, attitude, etc. See ArduCopter Wiki 

for more information.)
Radio

Check that the control gimbals are free from dust and other 

particles.

Check that the battery is still in good condition.

Perform a radio range check. (See radio manual for details)

LiPo Batteries

Check that the battery is not punctured or does not have any other 

physical damage. The battery should also not be swollen at all.

Check that all the cells of the battery are balanced. (Within 0.1V of 

each other)

Check that the battery connector is in good condition and that the 

soldering is still secure. Also make sure the wires are not damaged.

Environment

Only mission critical personnel is present in flight area

NOTES

PIC Signature 1:

Print Name:

VO Signature 2:

Print Name: