Pre-flight checklist

Summary¶

The printable pre-flight checklist: the step-by-step tick sequence run before every flight, covering site, structure, electronics, powered verification, and pilot readiness. For the reasoning behind it and the go/no-go gates, see the pre-flight-check process.

Concept¶

Reference¶

A. Site assessment¶

• Airspace authorisation confirmed (CTR, ATZ, U-space, restricted areas)
• Maximum altitude for site identified (120 m AGL for Open Category)
• Obstacles mapped: power lines, trees, buildings, antennas
• People assessed: bystanders, uninvolved persons, buffer maintained
• Wind and weather acceptable: wind below operational limit, no rain
• Emergency landing zones identified (at least two)

B. Aircraft — structural¶

• All 4 propellers inspected: no cracks, chips, nicks, or looseness
• All 4 arm T-locks verified: tabs fully seated, no rocking
• Frame sandwich: no visible cracks in PCCF layers or arm roots
• CF rods: all four present, none protruding past arm shaft outer face
• Sandwich bolts: all 6 or 8 present, no obvious looseness
• Motor mount O-rings: not cracked or permanently deformed
• Bumpers: all 4 present and seated
• Payload (if fitted): GX12 lock rings finger-tight, mast screws tight

C. Aircraft — electronics¶

• Battery checked: voltage above 24.0 V (fresh pack), no swelling
• Battery rail secure: no play, strap buckle locked
• All connectors checked: XT60, MR30 × 4, JST signal connectors
• Conformal coating intact on FC and ESC
• VTX antenna secure and unobstructed above GPS antenna

D. Electronics — powered verification (transmitter on first, then drone)¶

• OSD visible in goggles with correct telemetry fields
• Battery voltage on OSD matches handheld multimeter ±0.2 V
• GPS fix: ≥ 8 satellites before arming (wait up to 90 s cold start)
• Payload OSD readings visible (if payload fitted)
• RSSI / link quality showing good signal from TX16S
• All 4 motors respond to Motors tab test (props removed, then re-check)
• Blackbox enabled and device confirmed (onboard flash or SD card)
• Failsafe configured: GPS Rescue active if ≥ 8 sats

E. Pilot readiness¶

• Not fatigued, impaired, or distracted
• Site brief complete if flying with observers or participants
• Weather window confirmed (not just current — for planned flight duration)
• Operator registration number (e-ID) carried
• A2 CoC carried (if A2 subcategory operation)

Procedure¶

Rationale¶

Connections¶

requires: - pre-flight-check related: [] leads_to: []