Pre-Flight Checklist

Pre-Flight Checklist

Ensure that you are in compliance of all laws, rules, and guidelines for sUAV flight:

  • If you are within 5 miles of an airport, you have contacted and coordinated with air traffic control and airport management.

Ensure that your chosen flying environment is safe for you and others:

  • The flying area is clear of people, animals, obstructions, and hazards.
  • The weather conditions are calm and clear (no rain, snow, sleet, hail, etc. and winds including gusts are less than 5 mph (8 km/h) [beginners]/15 mph (24 km/h) [advanced]).
  • All people are behind the operator, and that the operator is at least 25 ft. (7.6 m) away from the multirotor.

Before proceeding, ensure that:

  • Propellers are securely attached to the correct motors. When each motor is spinning in the proper direction (CW or CCW) the angled blade of the propeller will direct the thrust downward.
  • None of the propellers are damaged (chipped, bent, cracked, etc).
  • The motor set-screws have not come loose by pulling up on each motor.  If you are able to pull the top part of the motor away from its base, even slightly, you must reposition the motor shaft and re-tighten the motor set screws.
  • All wires and antenna are secured so that they cannot move into the spinning propellers.
  • All connections to the flight controller, power distribution board, ESCs, and receiver have been made correctly and are secure.
  • Your multirotor has been properly configured and calibrated.
  • The transmitter is programmed and set to the correct model.
  • All fasteners are in place and properly tightened.
  • The battery is securely strapped in.

Turn on the transmitter and wait for it to activate.  Ensure that:

  • The transmitter is properly programmed and set to the correct model.
  • All switches, knobs, and sticks are in their appropriate positions.

Connect the battery and ensure that:

  • The flying area is still clear of people, animals, obstructions, and hazards.
  • All people are still behind the operator, and that the operator is at least 25 ft. (7.6 m) away from the multirotor.