Hi all,
Attached I publish a Pre-Flight Checklist that might be help ful for some of you, especially if you are a nuewbie like me (at least it was for me). I got some input for this from "Toms Hardware", changed somethig and added some of my ideas. If you want some changes, please let me know. I'd like to have the MS WOrd files added as well, but that's not an allowed file type here.
BTW, there are two languages available, English and German.

Hi Thomas,
What a great idea and piece of work! This sure will help lots of us here to get a better flight each time.

If I may add, on step 1 or 3, please double check on all prop rotor lock mechanism (prop mount) as there have been reports indicating loose screw fitting.

Cheers,
Hans

vandruten Posted at 2016-6-14 21:48
Hi Thomas,
What a great idea and piece of work! This sure will help lots of us here to get a better  ...

Thanks Hans, I will add this as well. Maybe someone has some more suggestions.

That's very useful for every pilot.Thank you for your sharing.

DJI-Paladin Posted at 2016-6-15 14:50
That's very useful for every pilot.Thank you for your sharing.

You're welcome. No more suggestions?

Thomas. Posted at 2016-6-15 15:51
You're welcome. No more suggestions?

It would be better to replace DJI Pilot with DJI GO. DJI Pilot is an old version app.

For me: after starting motors - wait and listen - is sound (motors, propellers) normal ? Then take off and hover ;-)
But of course great job Thomas !

I would add, in addition to checking the compass, also the IIMU.  

Thanks, very useful. Might add check media volume on phone is up so can hear voice prompts 'take off' etc.

Thank you very much Thomas. As a brand new P4 pilot the Checklist is very useful.

Hi Thomas,

Maybe you can specify check the weather a bit ( a lot of people dont know much about KP indexes and stuff)
with a app like Hover   
* You need to check the value of the KP index before flying
* what is  the windspeed
*

▪ Switch tablet/phone to flight mode

is this just to save battery?

Flying Biscuit Posted at 2016-6-23 14:38
▪ Switch tablet/phone to flight mode

is this just to save battery?

No, it's because WIFI and R/C use the same frequency band. Just to make sure that no interference occurs

dan@selucky.cz Posted at 2016-6-15 08:34
For me: after starting motors - wait and listen - is sound (motors, propellers) normal ? Then take o ...

What should the P4 copter sounds normally? For my P3S, it has a high pitch sound that sounds like a jet engine along with the low pitch droning of the props beating the air.  

Thanks for sharing I will use this.

Thanks!  Handy to have a laminated print in the bag.

Thanks. If everyone do all these before flying, the world will be much better.

maybe add "check battery cell status " after power on procedure and before start  motors, or is this the "check batteries " that is on the RC checks ?

Cool. You forgot the beer. Or the tea, to keep it bilingual. What is the checklists good at? Where is the challenge,trying to remember what you're missing, the compromise youll remember one way or the other? The betting on which way you'll remember? Between the excitement of doing it by the book and just hoping of doing it right, I don't know. I say live a little! For me to do it by the book would mean to watch zorba the Greek again. For you I pray.

PS: did you add "before installing, check the prop mounts both on props and motors"?

Thank you..

Thank You
I believe that if more people followed your advice we would have less crashes and fly aways.

Why does it need to point in to the wind & face away from you. That means when it takes off and there is a big gust it will blow it into you.  I would face it the other way so if it does drift it will be away from you.

How about designating / surveying an emergency landing zone
I don't believe tick box exercises help improve safety, but if it makes you feel more comfortable great.

I would also add to listen for the full DJI chime when you power on the AC.. If you only hear half of it, you may have an ESC issue..

Thanks, nice guide.

Matt-and-Riley Posted at 2017-3-4 08:15
Why does it need to point in to the wind & face away from you. That means when it takes off and there is a big gust it will blow it into you.  I would face it the other way so if it does drift it will be away from you.

How about designating / surveying an emergency landing zone

Tick box check is synonymous with aviation, and aviation has an extremely low rate of crashes and accidents and while we think we can overdose on this, these recommendations come from IATA and are insisting that tick box checking should be followed by commercial SUA pilots,
The reality of it is it does a lot more good than bad.

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-3-4 09:54
Tick box check is synonymous with aviation, and aviation has an extremely low rate of crashes and accidents and while we think we can overdose on this, these recommendations come from IATA and are insisting that tick box checking should be followed by commercial SUA pilots,
The reality of it is it does a lot more good than bad.

I'm not sure about aviation, but a few years ago I was involved in a research project about building and construction. The outcome was tick box and check lists although good to start quickly became robotic and people stopped thinking, often putting others in danger thinking it was ok because all the boxes had been ticked.

Recently I've also watched CAA regd drone pilot spend ages going through all the tick boxes, and within 2 minutes of being in air had done something stupid and dangerous. When I pointed it out, he said it wasn't on his list so not an issue.

"horses for courses"

Do you have a checklist before getting in your car and driving at 70mph down a crowded motorway? Funny how we perceive risks in reality.

Matt-and-Riley Posted at 2017-3-4 11:16
I'm not sure about aviation, but a few years ago I was involved in a research project about building and construction. The outcome was tick box and check lists although good to start quickly became robotic and people stopped thinking, often putting others in danger thinking it was ok because all the boxes had been ticked.

Recently I've also watched CAA regd drone pilot spend ages going through all the tick boxes, and within 2 minutes of being in air had done something stupid and dangerous. When I pointed it out, he said it wasn't on his list so not an issue.

Look if it takes longer than 2 minutes pre flight and 1 minute after landing then it's to long , and of course it should become second nature, but you got to start with something and if you get into good habits, it's not such a bad thing,

Why I can not download a file?

Oka Posted at 2017-3-10 08:28
Why I can not download a file?

What file you trying to download.

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-3-10 08:49
What file you trying to download.

P4 Pre-Flight Checklist (English .pdf)

Now, to be successful;)

Oka Posted at 2017-3-10 08:28
Why I can not download a file?

Just go to this link and copy and paste..


https://forum.dji.com/forum.php? ... &fromuid=260008

Excellent recommendations & reminders for new & veteran pilots alike!

As a fixed wing pilot, we always use pre-flight walk around and check list before every flight.  I think this is a great process that can make for safer flights for everyone.

I believe a comment may be required to gain "permission" to download, therefore I'll say here that a checklist is an incredible tool and I'll be putting one together geared towards my mode of operations and I look forward to comparing this list with others that I may ensure that I have "all bases covered". Thanks for putting this up here for everyone, Thomas.

Thanks so much Thomas!!!  I've had my P4 for just over a week now, and as a newb I still haven't worked up the courage to put it up in the air yet.  But you can be sure that when I do fly I will have this list in hand before doing so!!!