With a number of "strange and scary" reports from new Inspire 2 owners (falling from the sky / updates while flying etc.), what is there to check before flying with confidence?

1. Physical check
2. Full batteries
3. Controller battery
4. Current updates of drone, controller & camera
5. Phone / Tablet switched to Flight Mode / no Wi-Fi / 3G / 4G connection (to avoid unauthorized updates)
6. All calibrations correctly completed
7. All telemetry on phone / tablet checked and OK
8. Home point registered
9. PRAY!!

What else?

How about pray？

DJI-Newbie Posted at 2017-2-7 03:49
How about pray？

Excellent!!!  Never thought of it!  Will add... hahahaha...   {:4_142:}

If you are flying by the books...
Check Sectional chart or app like AIRMAP to make sure you are operating within Class G
Check wx forecast and make sure VFR regulations are in effect with a minimum vis of 3 statute miles
Check for NOTAMs in your area to make sure TrumpTroll isnt planning to fly over you.
Check to make sure your planned flight is not within a National Park, or is not designated a no fly zone - for example Niagara Falls

Other pre-flight checks I make on the aircraft...
Format ssd card/sd card...make sure both are firmly in place
check framerate, codec, resolution,color profiles
Identify large metal structures, and anything that might be a source of rc frequencies to avoid.
Check that the filter is appropriate for your shot,  and triple check that the lens and filter are dust free
I usually point my gimbal as far up as possible prior to takeoff....i find that this keeps my lenses cleaner
check gimbal roll correction- make sure your horixon is level (make sure your landing spot is level too)
I guess this is actually in flight- but I let my bird hover for a minute or so about 15 feet up to make sure there is no drift, no abnormal warnings.
then I bring it eye level fairly close to me....and make sure that there is no visible debris on the lens one last time...and that the gimbal is not shaking from a bent or loose prop...and that all looks normal.

A good review before any flight: https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf

thomasakira Posted at 2017-2-7 08:08
If you are flying by the books...
Check Sectional chart or app like AIRMAP to make sure you are operating within Class G
Check wx forecast and make sure VFR regulations are in effect with a minimum vis of 3 statute miles

Good points... I'm actually just putting a pre-flight in place for staying in the sky....  In other words what needs to be checked to avoid unintentional hard contact with Mother Earth.  I think the other points you make are real valid though.  I do have a PPL plane license too and in honesty, it in some ways are easier to take the plane out of the hangar and fly compared to the drone world.  Pity!

thomasakira Posted at 2017-2-7 08:08
If you are flying by the books...
Check Sectional chart or app like AIRMAP to make sure you are operating within Class G
Check wx forecast and make sure VFR regulations are in effect with a minimum vis of 3 statute miles

Hmm  , what is Trump Troll ? If you  are saying to check and see if the President of the United States, Donald Trump  is going to be flying in my area  before I fly my Aircraft , You must be kidding .....

donnie

Donnie Stugots Posted at 2017-2-7 11:36
Hmm  , what is Trump Troll ? If you  are saying to check and see if the President of the United States, Donald Trump  is going to be flying in my area  before I fly my Aircraft , You must be kidding .....

donnie

Trump tower out to 5 miles was a no fly zone from the election to inauguration.  Now notams pop up,  every time the first lady wants to take a jaunt to DC.  Just the other day, I was adjacent to the hudson when one of the HMX-1 helicopters flew over at about 500 ft.  They carry foreign diplomats and cabinet members too... but I prefer to think it was Melania wasting taxpayer dollars