1. Pre-Departure Check			3. Pre-Flight   Check
Aircraft	Checked		Airframe
Tablet	Charged		Airframe	Undamaged
Firmware	Updated		Motors	Rotating & Free   of FOD
Maps	Cached		Propeller	Tight and Secure
Camera	Lens Cleaned /   Checked		Battery	Voltage Checked &   Secure
SD card	Format
ND Filters	Checked		Transmitter
Gimbal	Checked		Antenna	Set
Spare Props	Checked		Battery	50% or greater.
Lipo Batteries	Checked / Charged		Transmitter	Power On
Charger	Checked		Tablet/Phone	Connect & On
Take-Off Pad	As required		App	Launch
Ops Manual	Checked
Logbooks	Checked		Gimbal/Camera	Attached/Checked
Tool Kit	As required		SD Card	Inserted
Anemometer	As required		Aircraft	Power On
High Vis	Checked		Settings
Protective   Glasses	As Required		Flight Mode	Set
Fire Gloves	As Required		Flight Limits (Vert/Hor)	Set
Fire Ext.	Checked		Return to Home Height	Set
First Aid Kit	Checked		Compass	Calibrate (if   Required)
Cones / Cordon   Tape	As Required		IMU	Level (If Required)
Signage	As Required		Camera Mode	Set
Table / Gazebo	As Required		Battery	Capacity Checked
			Telemetry & Satellites	Checked
2. Set Up Check
Site Safety Assessment	Confirmed		ATC	Advise (If Required)
Emergency   Landing Sites	Identified
Weather	Checked/Recorded
Brief	- Actions:  3rd Party
	- Actions: Aircraft
	- Emergency Land Sites
	- Pilot Incapacitation
	- Risk & Mitigation

Here's my list . some pre flight checks might not be for all

Nice Job Hallmark....

I made a mistake on the power on sequence.  The sequence should be Remote Control, then Aircraft and then the Go 4 app.  I corrected all of the versions (PDF, Pages and Word) and have added new links below:
Pages Version
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.co ... t%20Checklist.pages

Word Version
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.co ... ht%20Checklist.docx

PDF Version
-Attached-

It's pretty extensive, thanks for sharing.

DJI-Jamie Posted at 2017-2-8 22:24
It's pretty extensive, thanks for sharing.

Yeah it's kind of what the expect for commercial.

hallmark PRE-FLIGHT CHECK battery 50% or greater surely not typo maybe ?

Propwash Posted at 2017-2-9 15:23
hallmark PRE-FLIGHT CHECK battery 50% or greater surely not typo maybe ?

What would you set this at for your controller? For myself, I do not charge the controller after every use.

Propwash Posted at 2017-2-9 15:23
hallmark PRE-FLIGHT CHECK battery 50% or greater surely not typo maybe ?

Well 50% or greater covers 50 to 100% , meaning never take off with less than 50%, if I put  100% , then I would have to answer questions like why can I not take off at 75%.
If someone asked me what is the best for starting a job or just out flying for fun I would nearly always recommend full battery.

Minnesota Q Posted at 2017-2-9 16:14
What would you set this at for your controller? For myself, I do not charge the controller after every use.

I think 50% is safe , but you can get at least 3 batteries at 30%.

Good work thanks

Thanks for the check list .......

Minnesota Q Posted at 2017-2-9 16:14
What would you set this at for your controller? For myself, I do not charge the controller after every use.

Minnesota Q Im referring to aircraft battery.RC not so critical.

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-2-9 16:20
Well 50% or greater covers 50 to 100% , meaning never take off with less than 50%, if I put  100% , then I would have to answer questions like why can I not take off at 75%.
If someone asked me what is the best for starting a job or just out flying for fun I would nearly always recommend full battery.

hallmark not being critical just assumed it was a typo error.If your reply to the question what is the best charge % reading for starting a job is full battery then surely you should stick to that save any confusion.97% would always be my minimum to start any type of flight not that i've been asked just my take on it.

Propwash Posted at 2017-2-9 17:34
Minnesota Q Im referring to aircraft battery.RC not so critical.

Take a look at the check list again. It's under transmitter aka RC check list he put 50%
At least that's how I understand it.

Minnesota Q Posted at 2017-2-9 18:16
Take a look at the check list again. It's under transmitter aka RC check list he put 50%
At least that's how I understand it.

Minnesota my error Being it was the only battery % shown on Hallmarks pre-flight check list i've picked up on it in error the crafts battery is just marked capacity checked on his list a % should be shown albeit still my error.

Propwash Posted at 2017-2-9 18:03
hallmark not being critical just assumed it was a typo error.If your reply to the question what is the best charge % reading for starting a job is full battery then surely you should stick to that save any confusion.97% would always be my minimum to start any type of flight not that i've been asked just my take on it.

Hi Propwash, I understand your not being critical, and thank you for your comment, doing out an ops Manual for IAA here in Ireland, it's quite consuming and they expect everything to be dotted and crossed, but I have to say now when I'm flying I will always carry the checklist with me find it a great help and eventually if you do it enough it becomes a very natural thing to do.
Good luck..

My check list has a few other things not listed. Like power lines, in my area utilities are still in the air so I always check my area of flight for these. Idk if the obstacle avoidance will see these or not.

Minnesota Q Posted at 2017-2-10 13:42
My check list has a few other things not listed. Like power lines, in my area utilities are still in the air so I always check my area of flight for these. Idk if the obstacle avoidance will see these or not.

I also have to have a take off check list shutdown check and between flight check list, I'll post them sometime.
Good luck..

Propwash Posted at 2017-2-9 15:23
hallmark PRE-FLIGHT CHECK battery 50% or greater surely not typo maybe ?

I usually do not worry about charging the RC until it gets below 75% (and that takes a few flights). And that is pretty conservative.

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-2-10 02:49
Hi Propwash, I understand your not being critical, and thank you for your comment, doing out an ops Manual for IAA here in Ireland, it's quite consuming and they expect everything to be dotted and crossed, but I have to say now when I'm flying I will always carry the checklist with me find it a great help and eventually if you do it enough it becomes a very natural thing to do.
Good luck..

Hi hallmark.Having completed an OPS manual for PFCO understand exacly your thoughts.The amount of time taken to perfect it results in it taking on a personality of its own.One reason why so many who have gone through the process become very sensitive to sharing its contents with others.Many complain its over complicated but once completed you realize how worthwhile and rewarding the process is.Certainly trains the mind .GOOD LUCK with yours.

                                                                                   

                                                                                       

                                                                                       

Propwash Posted at 2017-2-11 06:08
Hi hallmark.Having completed an OPS manual for PFCO understand exacly your thoughts.The amount of time taken to perfect it results in it taking on a personality of its own.One reason why so many who have gone through the process become very sensitive to sharing its contents with others.Many complain its over complicated but once completed you realize how worthwhile and rewarding the process is.Certainly trains the mind .GOOD LUCK with yours.

Hi Propwash, yeah really enjoying it, ops manual almost finished , just one more practical to go.

Cheers mate..

Most important addition I can suggest (as a result of losing GPS signal in high wind and very quickly losing line of sight) is to log wind direction, at least mentally, and think through strategies to recover ahead of time in a fly away situation (as it happens very quickly in high wind).

Minnesota Q Posted at 2017-2-10 13:42
My check list has a few other things not listed. Like power lines, in my area utilities are still in the air so I always check my area of flight for these. Idk if the obstacle avoidance will see these or not.

'Idk if the obstacle avoidance will see these or not.'

No, it will not see power lines, that is specifically mentioned in the manual.

My pre-flight check is very basic and also quite ancient "Spectacles, T*sticles, Wallet & Watch"

Maybe I need to start doing something more like this. My current procedure is wait for picture, satellites, home point, take off. Sometimes ill giggle the props a bit to make sure they are on tight since thats how I had my one and only crash.

Jptsrone Posted at 2017-8-17 09:49
Maybe I need to start doing something more like this. My current list is my current procedure is wait for picture, satellites, home point, take off. Sometimes ill giggle the props a bit to make sure they are on tight since thats how I had my one and only crash.

Once you find a routine that suits you and keep repeating this, you will find it becomes second nature,

I'm just curious about"'pilot incapacitation ".

ALABAMA Posted at 2017-8-17 10:56
I'm just curious about"'pilot incapacitation ".

Well what happens if pilot suddenly gets Lets say heart attack what happens to drone.

So before you fly you instruct your spotter or helper how to get Aircraft down. I.e. Just push RTH until you hear beeping approx 3 seconds tell him the aircraft will RTH at whatever height and land within 1 metre of where it took off. And make sure landing area is clear.
Then he can give you the kiss of life. Lol

Checks and lists are all about eliminating as much risk as possible, it's not impossible that pilot could become incapacitated having no plan is just a risk.

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-8-17 11:29
Well what happens if pilot suddenly gets Lets say heart attack what happens to drone.

So before you fly you instruct your spotter or helper how to get Aircraft down. I.e. Just push RTH until you hear beeping approx 3 seconds tell him the aircraft will RTH at whatever height and land within 1 metre of where it took off. And make sure landing area is clear.

True enough!

Hallmark - nice job - and a good start.

Not sure why you would need a fire extinguisher - but I can understand from a commercial aspect - covering all bases, Risk Assessments PTW etc.

Good that you point out checking the motors are FOD free - and maybe something other prospective commercial operators could learn.

Talking of FOD - while not strictly to do with the motors or props - maybe add the taking off of the combined gimbal lock and lens protector - oh, and that bit of transport foam too.
I've stupidly forgotten to take that bit of foam out before.  No excuse from some-one who used to work on real aircraft, and currently pre+post dive checks ROVs.

A reminder on the pre-flight would do no harm.




I take it you set up a similarly comprehensive after-flight check list?  I know I give my P4P a good looking over after every flight - even to the point of cleaning the blades of dead bug residue.

Rigger73 Posted at 2017-8-17 16:32
Hallmark - nice job - and a good start.

Not sure why you would need a fire extinguisher - but I can understand from a commercial aspect - covering all bases, Risk Assessments PTW etc.

         

4. Take-Off Check			5. Shutdown   Check
Communications	Check		Aircraft Battery	Off
3m Safety Zone	Set		"Safe"	Announce
"Rotors On"	Announce
			Airframe	Undamaged
Take Off Area	Clear		Propellers	Undamaged
"Taking Off"	Announce		Motors	Rotating Free & Temp
			Camera/Gimbal	Checked
Flight Controls	Check		Logbook	Recorded
Telemetry	Check		ATC	Advise
Battery	Check
			6. Between   Flight Checks
Landing Check			New Battery	Insert
Recording	Stop		Battery	On
Landing Area	Clear		Battery	Capacity & Voltage Check
3m Safety Zone	Set		Telemetry & Satellites	Checked
			Take Off Check	Commence
"Landing"	Announce
"Rotors Off"	Announce

Your list is extremely adequate.... There is one thing that i do after each flight is i monitor the exact temperature of each motor and battery using an IR temperature gun. Its a sure fire way of detecting future motor issues....

R&L Aerial  Posted at 2017-8-18 02:53
Your list is extremely adequate.... There is one thing that i do after each flight is i monitor the exact temperature of each motor and battery using an IR temperature gun. Its a sure fire way of detecting future motor issues....

would like one of them, will check it out.

hallmark007 Posted at 2017-8-18 03:10
would like one of them, will check it out.

Brushless motors last a long time, the bearings do not. As you already know, a bearing generates more and  more heat as it goes bad, so by checking the temperature after each flight you will see a pattern and know which motor needs replacing. Normally on a dji quad I've noticed that the front motors are always a few degrees warmer than the rear because of the camera weight. You can buy a good IR temperature gun online for around $30 dollars US. The temperature guns are also useful for making beef jerky.....

This is a very good checklist, I normally do this but a simpler version just making sure everything looks serviceable and all is secured before I go on a flight.

Thanks for sharing your list

Little John Posted at 2017-12-17 10:09
Thanks for sharing your list

No problem hope it helps I’ve been using it for almost 4 years and don’t fly without checking so far no real problems..

Based upon the original checklist by hallmark007, I put this together. It contains pretty much the same info. There are two checklists per printed page and these are printed small so I can put them into my pocket.

Redleg Edge Posted at 5-28 04:45
Based upon the original checklist by hallmark007, I put this together. It contains pretty much the same info. There are two checklists per printed page and these are printed small so I can put them into my pocket.

Good job, that’s the way I have mine printed also have them laminated.

This was more than helpful.  Thanks!