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A practical drone pre-flight checklist

Most drone mishaps trace back to something boring that a two-minute check would have caught: a loose prop, a half-charged pack, a controller left in the wrong mode, or airspace the pilot didn't think to check. A consistent pre-flight routine turns "I think it's fine" into "I know it's fine." Here's a practical one you can run before every flight.

Before you leave / at the site

• 🗺 Airspace: confirm you're allowed to fly here. Check for nearby airports, controlled airspace, no-fly zones, and any local restrictions.
• 🌦 Weather: wind within your drone's limits, no rain, good visibility, and watch for gusts near buildings and trees.
• 👀 Surroundings: a clear launch/landing spot, no people or property directly downrange, and an exit plan if something goes wrong.

The aircraft

• 🔩 Props seated, undamaged, correct rotation, and tight.
• 📷 Gimbal/lens cover removed; lens clean.
• 🔌 Airframe inspected for cracks, loose arms, and debris.
• 🧭 Firmware up to date and compass/IMU calibrated if prompted.

Power and signal

• 🔋 Battery charged — aircraft and controller — and seated with a firm click. Know which pack you're flying.
• 📡 Controller paired, sticks centered, flight mode set, and a strong link before takeoff.
• 📱 Phone/screen charged, brightness up, storage free for footage.

Pre-takeoff

• 🛰 Wait for a solid GPS/satellite lock and let the Home Point set.
• ↩ Confirm Return-to-Home altitude clears obstacles around you.
• ⬆ Hover a few feet, check it's stable and responsive, then go.

After you land

Close the loop: let hot packs cool before charging or storing, and jot down the flight while it's fresh. Logging which battery you used keeps your cycle counts honest, and a quick flight log entry builds the record that proves your experience over time.