Pre-flight Checklist

Phase 1: In the Office (Before You Leave)

• Self-Check: Are you well-rested, alert, and confident to fly? 

• Weather Check: Confirm conditions are safe.

  • Precipitation: <10% chance.

  • Wind: <15 mph at ground level.

  • Visibility: 3+ miles.

  • Cloud Clearance: 500 ft below / 2,000 ft horizontally.

• Battery Inspection:

  • Are drone and RC batteries fully charged?

  • CRITICAL: Check for physical damage. If a battery looks rounded or "puffed," do not fly.

• SD Card:

  • Is it in the drone?

  • Is it formatted? (Recommended: Format before the first flight of the day to clear old data).

• Airspace & Authorization:

  • Check airspace restrictions (LAANC, DJI FlySafe).

  • Sync any required unlock certificates to the drone/RC.

• Physical Inspection: Check the aircraft body, motors, and props for cracks or loose parts.

• Ensure that your FAA registration number is visible on the aircraft's exterior.

Phase 2: On-Site Arrival

• Site Survey: Look for obstacles: towers, cranes, power lines, or trees.

• Ground Safety: Identify pedestrians, vehicles, or moving machinery.

• Perimeter: Set up cones or markers around your landing zone.

• Briefing: Discuss the mission plan with onsite management and your flight crew.

Phase 3: Aircraft Prep

• Remove Gimbal Clamp: 

  • CRITICAL: Remove the plastic gimbal brace before powering on to avoid permanent motor damage.

• Clean Sensors: Wipe camera lenses and vision sensors with a microfiber cloth.

• Install Propellers: Attach props and run your fingers over them to check for chips or cracks.

• Power Up:

  1. Turn on Remote Controller (RC) first.

  2. Turn on Aircraft second.

  3. Verify they are linked.

• Antennas: Position RC antennas parallel and facing upwards.

Phase 4: Systems Check & Takeoff

• Calibrations:

  • Compass: Always calibrate at a new location.

  • IMU/Gimbal: Calibrate if prompted or if the drone has traveled far.

• Satellites: Verify you have a lock on at least 6 GPS satellites.

• Return-to-Home (RTH): Confirm RTH altitude is higher than the tallest obstacle on site.

• Home Point: Verify the home point is recorded correctly on the map.

• Manual Test Flight:

  • Start motors and hover at eye level.

  • Listen for weird noises or vibrations.

  • Test pitch, roll, and yaw responsiveness.

• Launch: Land, load your automated mission, and fly!

I still can't do it!

We wrote these articles to equip you with everything you need to get the job done on your own, but we understand that sometimes this isn't sufficient.

If you're stuck, the Propeller hardware support team may be able to help. You can contact them by emailing hardwaresupport@propelleraero.com.au.