I’ve investigated three serious drone crashes in the past year where pilots later said “I should have caught that before takeoff.” Every single one could have been prevented with a proper pre-flight check. After training over 200 commercial pilots, I’ve seen what happens when you skip steps—and it’s expensive. Here’s the professional checklist I use before every flight.
Why Pre-Flight Checks Matter
A crashed drone costs $300-$2,200 to replace. A drone hitting a person can cause serious injury and end your career. A flyaway over a crowd can result in $32,666 in FAA fines. Taking 5 minutes before each flight prevents 95% of preventable accidents.
What Pre-Flight Checks Prevent:
- Battery failures mid-flight
- Compass errors causing flyaways
- Propeller failures and crashes
- Flying in illegal airspace
- Weather-related incidents
- Equipment malfunctions
The Complete Pre-Flight Checklist
24 Hours Before Flight
✅ Check Weather Forecast
- Wind speed (limit: 25 mph for most consumer drones)
- Precipitation (rain voids warranties)
- Temperature (cold affects battery performance)
- Visibility (FAA minimum: 3 statute miles)
Tools: Weather.gov, UAV Forecast app, Windy.com
✅ Check Airspace and TFRs
- Verify airspace classification (Class B/C/D/E/G)
- Check for temporary flight restrictions (TFRs)
- Verify no stadium TFRs (game days)
- Check for emergency TFRs (wildfires, VIP movements)
Tools: B4UFLY app, tfr.faa.gov, Aloft, AirMap
✅ Obtain LAANC Authorization (if needed)
- Submit request through LAANC provider
- Specify altitude and flight time
- Receive instant approval or denial
- Save authorization to phone
Tools: Aloft, Kittyhawk, AirMap, Altitude Angel
✅ Charge All Batteries
- Drone batteries: 100% charge
- Controller battery: 100% charge
- Mobile device: 100% charge
- Plan for 3-4 drone batteries minimum for commercial work
30 Minutes Before Flight
✅ Check Current Weather Conditions
- Wind: Check current speed and gusts
- Visibility: Must be 3+ statute miles
- Cloud ceiling: Maintain 500 feet below clouds
- Temperature: Note if below 32°F (affects battery)
✅ Scout Flight Area
- Identify obstacles (power lines, trees, buildings)
- Note emergency landing zones
- Check for people and traffic patterns
- Verify takeoff/landing area is clear
- Look for birds (aggressive species can attack drones)
✅ Set Up Equipment Area
- Find level surface for takeoff
- Position away from metal objects (compass interference)
- Ensure clear line of sight to flight area
- Set up landing mat if on rough terrain
15 Minutes Before Flight
✅ Visual Inspection of Drone
Frame and Body:
- No cracks or damage to frame
- Arms fold and lock properly (if foldable)
- No loose screws or parts
- Registration number visible
Propellers:
- No cracks, chips, or warping
- Properly attached and secured
- Correct propeller orientation (CW/CCW)
- Propeller guards attached if required
- Can spin freely without obstruction
Motors:
- Spin freely by hand
- No grinding or resistance
- No visible damage
- Clear of dirt and debris
Camera and Gimbal:
- Lens is clean (no smudges, dirt, or dust)
- Gimbal lock/cover removed
- Gimbal moves smoothly by hand
- No visible damage to gimbal arms
- Camera firmly attached
Sensors:
- Vision sensors clean (no dirt or obstructions)
- Obstacle avoidance sensors clear
- Downward sensors unobstructed
- Clean with microfiber cloth if dusty
✅ Battery Inspection
- Charge level: 100% for first flight
- Physical condition: No swelling, damage, or deformation
- Connectors: Clean, no corrosion or dirt
- Temperature: Room temperature (not hot or cold)
- Firmware: Up to date (check in app)
- Cycle count: Note if battery nearing end of life (200+ cycles)
⚠️ Warning Signs – DO NOT FLY:
- Battery swollen or puffy (fire hazard)
- Battery hot to touch before use
- Voltage imbalance between cells
- Physical damage to battery case
✅ Controller and Device Check
- Controller fully charged (100%)
- Control sticks move smoothly
- Antennas properly positioned
- Mobile device charged (100%)
- DJI Fly/Go app updated to latest version
- Phone in airplane mode (reduce interference)
- Screen brightness set to maximum
✅ MicroSD Card
- Card properly inserted
- Sufficient free space (8GB+ recommended per flight)
- Format card if starting fresh project
- Backup previous footage before formatting
At Power-On (5 Minutes Before Launch)
✅ Power-On Sequence
- Power on controller first
- Then power on drone
- Wait for controller-drone link
- Launch app and wait for connection
✅ App and System Checks
- GPS Status: 10+ satellites acquired (12+ ideal)
- Compass Status: No interference warnings
- IMU Status: No calibration errors
- Battery Health: Green status, no warnings
- Firmware: All components up to date
- No Error Messages: Resolve any warnings before flight
✅ Settings Verification
- Return-to-Home Altitude: Set 100+ feet above tallest obstacle
- Max Altitude: Verify 400 feet limit or LAANC limit
- Max Distance: Set appropriate for line-of-sight
- Flight Mode: Normal (not Sport for beginners)
- Obstacle Avoidance: Enabled
- Return-to-Home Behavior: Set to “return to home point”
✅ Camera Settings
- Video Resolution: 4K/30fps or desired setting
- Photo Format: RAW+JPEG if professional work
- Exposure: Check histogram, adjust settings
- White Balance: Set for conditions (auto or manual)
- ND Filter: Attached if bright conditions (180° shutter rule)
✅ Gimbal Test
- Gimbal initializes properly (no errors)
- Moves smoothly in all directions
- Auto-calibrates on startup
- Test tilt up/down with controller
- View live feed – no jittering or shaking
✅ Compass Calibration (if needed)
- Only calibrate if app prompts
- Move away from metal/electronics
- Follow app instructions (horizontal + vertical spins)
- Complete calibration until app confirms success
When to Calibrate Compass:
- App displays compass error warning
- Flying in new geographic location
- After firmware update
- After drone impact or crash
- Erratic flight behavior previously observed
Immediately Before Takeoff
✅ Final Safety Checks
- Clear Takeoff Zone: No people, pets, or obstacles within 20 feet
- Visual Observers: Brief any crew members on flight plan
- Emergency Plan: Identify where to land if needed
- Return-to-Home Point: Verify home point set correctly
- Home Point Recorded: Wait for “Home Point Recorded” message
- Wind Check: Final assessment of current wind
✅ Control Test (Hover Test)
- Take off to 5-10 feet altitude
- Hover for 10-15 seconds
- Test yaw (rotation) – left and right
- Test pitch (forward/backward) – gentle movements
- Test roll (left/right) – gentle movements
- Test altitude (up/down)
- Verify GPS hold (drone should maintain position)
- Check gimbal movement
- Verify camera feed is stable
If Hover Test Reveals Issues:
- Land immediately
- Power down and inspect
- Resolve issue before continuing
- DO NOT proceed with flight if drone behaves erratically
During Flight: Continuous Monitoring
✅ Monitor Every 30 Seconds
- Battery Level: Return at 30-35% (not lower)
- Signal Strength: Maintain strong link (3+ bars)
- GPS Satellites: Verify 10+ satellites maintained
- Wind Conditions: Note if increasing
- Obstacle Proximity: Maintain safe distances
- Aircraft Traffic: Listen and look for manned aircraft
✅ Return-to-Home Triggers
- Battery reaches 30%
- Strong wind develops
- Loss of GPS (switching to ATTI mode)
- Signal interference
- Manned aircraft approaches
- Weather deteriorates
- Any system warnings appear
Post-Flight Procedures
✅ After Landing
- Power off drone first
- Then power off controller
- Allow motors to cool (1-2 minutes)
- Remove battery if not flying again soon
✅ Post-Flight Inspection
- Check propellers for damage
- Inspect frame for cracks
- Check motors for excessive heat
- Verify gimbal protected (install cover)
- Check for loose screws or parts
- Note any damage in flight log
✅ Battery Care
- Allow battery to cool before recharging
- Store at 40-60% for long-term storage
- Note any performance issues
- Mark battery if degraded performance observed
✅ Data Management
- Download and backup footage
- Review flight logs for issues
- Note any anomalies for future reference
- Format card if desired (after backing up)
Emergency Procedures
Loss of GPS
Symptoms: “ATTI Mode” warning, drone drifts
Action: Immediately take manual control, land as soon as safe, do not fly far from home point
Low Battery Warning
Symptoms: Critical battery alert
Action: Initiate immediate return-to-home or land immediately, don’t attempt to “push” the battery
High Wind Warning
Symptoms: Wind velocity warning
Action: Descend altitude (wind is stronger higher up), return to home, land immediately
Loss of Signal
Symptoms: “Connection Lost” message
Action: Don’t panic – drone will automatically RTH, move to regain signal, wait for drone to return
Manned Aircraft Approaches
Action: Immediately descend and land, give right-of-way to all manned aircraft, wait for aircraft to pass
Printable Quick-Reference Checklist
24 HOURS BEFORE:
- ☐ Check weather forecast
- ☐ Check airspace and TFRs
- ☐ Obtain LAANC if needed
- ☐ Charge all batteries
30 MINUTES BEFORE:
- ☐ Current weather check
- ☐ Scout flight area
- ☐ Set up equipment area
15 MINUTES BEFORE:
- ☐ Visual inspection (frame, props, motors)
- ☐ Battery inspection (no swelling)
- ☐ Camera/gimbal check (lens clean)
- ☐ Controller charged (100%)
- ☐ MicroSD card inserted
5 MINUTES BEFORE:
- ☐ Power on (controller first, then drone)
- ☐ GPS lock (10+ satellites)
- ☐ Compass status OK
- ☐ Return-to-home altitude set
- ☐ Camera settings configured
- ☐ Gimbal test passed
BEFORE TAKEOFF:
- ☐ Clear takeoff zone
- ☐ Home point recorded
- ☐ Final wind check
- ☐ Hover test (5-10 feet)
- ☐ All systems normal
DURING FLIGHT:
- ☐ Monitor battery (RTH at 30%)
- ☐ Monitor signal strength
- ☐ Watch for aircraft
- ☐ Maintain visual line of sight
AFTER FLIGHT:
- ☐ Post-flight inspection
- ☐ Battery cool-down
- ☐ Download/backup footage
- ☐ Log any issues
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the hover test: Always test controls at low altitude first
- Flying with swollen batteries: Fire hazard – dispose of damaged batteries immediately
- Not checking TFRs: Temporary restrictions change daily
- Ignoring wind warnings: Don’t push limits in high wind
- Flying with low battery: Always return at 30%, not 10%
- Not setting RTH altitude: Could hit obstacles during auto-return
- Forgetting ND filters: Results in overexposed, unusable footage
- Dirty sensors: Causes obstacle avoidance to malfunction
A thorough pre-flight check takes 10-15 minutes. A crashed drone costs $300-$2,200. An incident can end your career. Do the math—the checklist is worth it every single time.
