I am still a very new pilot and though my drone (DJI Mini 2) is sub 250g and does not require that I follow the Basic and or Advanced Canadian RPAS regulations other than the specific section(s) pertaining to this class of drone. I plan to go for both my Basic and Advanced RPAS license and want to start off with a solid foundation of good practice. I am still working on my logbook designs I have spent some time today working on a checklist for my drone but also one that is more applicable to most drones so that I do not need to change my "muscle memory" when I move on to other drones. Here is what I have:
I would very much appreciate any feedback, corrections, modifications, guidance as to how I can improving these before I start putting them into practice when the weather here warms up.
Normal Operation Checklists:
Mission Planning:
□ - Select Operating Area
□ - Check Airspace Designation
□ - Known Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - Require Any Authorizations
□ - Check Federal Regulations
□ - Check Provincial Regulations
□ - Check Municipal Regulations
□ - Check NOTAMS
□ - Check Forcasted Weather
□ - Wind
□ - Tempurature
□ - Visability
□ - Percipitation
□ - Inspect Drone & Equipment
□ - Propellers
□ - Motors & Mounting Arms
□ - Airframe
□ - Gimbal & Camera
□ - Landing Gear
□ - Batteries
□ - Connection Cables
□ - Display
□ - Display Mount
□ - Battery Hub
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Memory Cards
□ - Support Straps
□ - Carrying Cases & Bags
□ - Charge Batteries:
□ - Primary Aircraft Battery
□ - Extra Aircraft Batteries
□ - Display
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Power Banks
□ - Update Firmware
□ - Aircraft
□ - Display Application
□ - Flight Batteries
□ - Display
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Memory cards
□ - Previous Data Saved & Cleared
□ - Properly Formatted for Aircraft
Operating Area Arrival:
□ - Identify Takeoff and Landing Area
□ - Setup Takeoff and Landing Pad
□ - Check For Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - People
□ - Vehicles
□ - Powerlines
□ - Other Aircraft
□ - Other
□ - Check NOTAMS
□ - Check Weather
□ - Wind
□ - Tempurature
□ - Visability
□ - Percipitation
□ - Go / No Go
□ - Start Mission Log
Preflight:
□ - Unpack Equipment
□ - Aircraft
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Display
□ - Display Mount
□ - Connection Cables
□ - Other Equipment
□ - Remove Propeller Guard
□ - Remove Gimbal Guard
□ - Propellers Free & Clear
□ - Connect Display Mount
□ - Connect Display to Mount & Controller
□ - Power On Remote Controller
□ - Power On Display
□ - Launch Display Application
□ - Insert Memory Card
□ - Verify Battery Door Closed
□ - Power On Aircraft
□ - Check Firmware
□ - Aircraft
□ - Battery
□ - Display
□ - Display Application
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Check Battery Levels
□ - Aircraft
□ - Display
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Memory Card
□ - Detected
□ - Showing Free Space Available
□ - Check For
□ - IMU Calibration Errors
□ - Compass Calibration Errors
□ - Other Reported Errors & Cautions
□ - Proper Gimbal Movement
Before Engine Start:
□ - Set Maximum Altitude
□ - Set Maximum Distance
□ - Set Return to Home Altitude
□ - Establish Minimum Operating Altitude
□ - Confirm GPS Signal Lock
□ - Confirm Ready to Fly Status
□ - Display Brightness to Maximum
□ - Set Video/Photo Parameters
Engine Start:
□ - Ensure Propeller Area Clear
□ - Advise Engine Start
□ - Start Video Recording
□ - Start Engines
After Engine Start:
□ - Confirm Nominal Aircraft Behaviour
Before Takeoff:
□ - Check For New Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - People
□ - Vehicles
□ - Powerlines
□ - Other Aircraft
□ - Other
□ - Home Point Established & Correct
Takeoff:
□ - Advise Takeoff
□ - Select Auto Takeoff or Manual Takeoff
□ - Establish stable hover
After takeoff:
□ - Check Flight Controls
□ - Climb to Established Minimum Operating Altitude
In Flight:
□ - Montior for New Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - People
□ - Vehicles
□ - Powerlines
□ - Other Aircraft
□ - Other
□ - Monitor Weather Conditions
□ - Wind
□ - Tempurature
□ - Visability
□ - Percipitation
□ - Monitor Battery Levels
□ - Aircraft
□ - Display
□ - Remote Controller
Before Landing:
□ - Advise Landing
□ - Scan Landing Area for Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - Descend to Established Minimum Operating Altitude
Landing:
□ - Scan Landing Area for Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - Establish stable hover Above Landing Pad
□ - Select Auto Landing or Manual Landing
After Landing:
□ - Ensure Engine Shutdown
Post Flight:
□ - Stop Video Recording
□ - Power Down Aircraft
□ - Close Display Application
□ - Display Brightness to Normal Level
□ - Power Down Display
□ - Power Down Remote Controller
□ - Disconnect Display from Mount & Controller
□ - Remove Display Mount
□ - Install Propeller Guard
□ - Install Gimbal Guard
□ - Pack Equipment
□ - Aircraft
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Display
□ - Display Mount
□ - Connection Cables
□ - Other Equipment
Post Mission:
□ - Complete Mission Log
Emergency Checklists:
Engine Failure
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES - □ - Execute Emergency Landing
NO - □ - Execute Emergency Engine Shutoff
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - If possible - Warn Others
□ - Recovery Aircraft
□ - Notify Authorities As Required
□ - Complete Mission Log
Fly Away
□ - Flight Control Still Available
Yes:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Activate Return to Home
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Emergency Engine Shutoff
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - If possible - Warn Others
□ - Recovery Aircraft
□ - Notify Authorities As Required
Loss of VLOS
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Focus on Video stream to pilot aircraft
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
Navigation Equipment Failure
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home with caution)
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
□ - Determine Failure & Cause
□ - GPS
□ - COMPASS
□ - IMU/ESC
□ - Other Sensor(s)
Flight Equipment Failure
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home (with caution)
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
□ - Determine Failure & Cause
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Display
□ - Battery
□ - Loss of Connection
□ - Other
Propeller Failure
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home (with caution)
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES - □ - Execute Emergency Landing
NO - □ - Execute Emergency Engine Shutoff
Other Equipment Failure
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home (with caution)
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
□ - Determine Failure & Cause
□ - Camera Failure
□ - Gimbal Failure
□ - Memory Card Failure
□ - Other Failure
□ - Error Message or Caution Displayed
□ - If Possible Determine Failure
Obstruction In-Flight Area:
□ -Remove or have someone else remove the obstruction (If Possible)
YES:
□ - Resolved, continue flight
NO:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
□ - Notify Authorities As Required
Aircraft Collision with an Object:
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home (with caution)
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
I would very much appreciate any feedback, corrections, modifications, guidance as to how I can improving these before I start putting them into practice when the weather here warms up.
Normal Operation Checklists:
Mission Planning:
□ - Select Operating Area
□ - Check Airspace Designation
□ - Known Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - Require Any Authorizations
□ - Check Federal Regulations
□ - Check Provincial Regulations
□ - Check Municipal Regulations
□ - Check NOTAMS
□ - Check Forcasted Weather
□ - Wind
□ - Tempurature
□ - Visability
□ - Percipitation
□ - Inspect Drone & Equipment
□ - Propellers
□ - Motors & Mounting Arms
□ - Airframe
□ - Gimbal & Camera
□ - Landing Gear
□ - Batteries
□ - Connection Cables
□ - Display
□ - Display Mount
□ - Battery Hub
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Memory Cards
□ - Support Straps
□ - Carrying Cases & Bags
□ - Charge Batteries:
□ - Primary Aircraft Battery
□ - Extra Aircraft Batteries
□ - Display
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Power Banks
□ - Update Firmware
□ - Aircraft
□ - Display Application
□ - Flight Batteries
□ - Display
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Memory cards
□ - Previous Data Saved & Cleared
□ - Properly Formatted for Aircraft
Operating Area Arrival:
□ - Identify Takeoff and Landing Area
□ - Setup Takeoff and Landing Pad
□ - Check For Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - People
□ - Vehicles
□ - Powerlines
□ - Other Aircraft
□ - Other
□ - Check NOTAMS
□ - Check Weather
□ - Wind
□ - Tempurature
□ - Visability
□ - Percipitation
□ - Go / No Go
□ - Start Mission Log
Preflight:
□ - Unpack Equipment
□ - Aircraft
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Display
□ - Display Mount
□ - Connection Cables
□ - Other Equipment
□ - Remove Propeller Guard
□ - Remove Gimbal Guard
□ - Propellers Free & Clear
□ - Connect Display Mount
□ - Connect Display to Mount & Controller
□ - Power On Remote Controller
□ - Power On Display
□ - Launch Display Application
□ - Insert Memory Card
□ - Verify Battery Door Closed
□ - Power On Aircraft
□ - Check Firmware
□ - Aircraft
□ - Battery
□ - Display
□ - Display Application
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Check Battery Levels
□ - Aircraft
□ - Display
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Memory Card
□ - Detected
□ - Showing Free Space Available
□ - Check For
□ - IMU Calibration Errors
□ - Compass Calibration Errors
□ - Other Reported Errors & Cautions
□ - Proper Gimbal Movement
Before Engine Start:
□ - Set Maximum Altitude
□ - Set Maximum Distance
□ - Set Return to Home Altitude
□ - Establish Minimum Operating Altitude
□ - Confirm GPS Signal Lock
□ - Confirm Ready to Fly Status
□ - Display Brightness to Maximum
□ - Set Video/Photo Parameters
Engine Start:
□ - Ensure Propeller Area Clear
□ - Advise Engine Start
□ - Start Video Recording
□ - Start Engines
After Engine Start:
□ - Confirm Nominal Aircraft Behaviour
Before Takeoff:
□ - Check For New Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - People
□ - Vehicles
□ - Powerlines
□ - Other Aircraft
□ - Other
□ - Home Point Established & Correct
Takeoff:
□ - Advise Takeoff
□ - Select Auto Takeoff or Manual Takeoff
□ - Establish stable hover
After takeoff:
□ - Check Flight Controls
□ - Climb to Established Minimum Operating Altitude
In Flight:
□ - Montior for New Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - People
□ - Vehicles
□ - Powerlines
□ - Other Aircraft
□ - Other
□ - Monitor Weather Conditions
□ - Wind
□ - Tempurature
□ - Visability
□ - Percipitation
□ - Monitor Battery Levels
□ - Aircraft
□ - Display
□ - Remote Controller
Before Landing:
□ - Advise Landing
□ - Scan Landing Area for Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - Descend to Established Minimum Operating Altitude
Landing:
□ - Scan Landing Area for Obstructions / Conflicts
□ - Establish stable hover Above Landing Pad
□ - Select Auto Landing or Manual Landing
After Landing:
□ - Ensure Engine Shutdown
Post Flight:
□ - Stop Video Recording
□ - Power Down Aircraft
□ - Close Display Application
□ - Display Brightness to Normal Level
□ - Power Down Display
□ - Power Down Remote Controller
□ - Disconnect Display from Mount & Controller
□ - Remove Display Mount
□ - Install Propeller Guard
□ - Install Gimbal Guard
□ - Pack Equipment
□ - Aircraft
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Display
□ - Display Mount
□ - Connection Cables
□ - Other Equipment
Post Mission:
□ - Complete Mission Log
Emergency Checklists:
Engine Failure
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES - □ - Execute Emergency Landing
NO - □ - Execute Emergency Engine Shutoff
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - If possible - Warn Others
□ - Recovery Aircraft
□ - Notify Authorities As Required
□ - Complete Mission Log
Fly Away
□ - Flight Control Still Available
Yes:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Activate Return to Home
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Emergency Engine Shutoff
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - If possible - Warn Others
□ - Recovery Aircraft
□ - Notify Authorities As Required
Loss of VLOS
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Focus on Video stream to pilot aircraft
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
Navigation Equipment Failure
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home with caution)
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
□ - Determine Failure & Cause
□ - GPS
□ - COMPASS
□ - IMU/ESC
□ - Other Sensor(s)
Flight Equipment Failure
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home (with caution)
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
□ - Determine Failure & Cause
□ - Remote Controller
□ - Display
□ - Battery
□ - Loss of Connection
□ - Other
Propeller Failure
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home (with caution)
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES - □ - Execute Emergency Landing
NO - □ - Execute Emergency Engine Shutoff
Other Equipment Failure
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home (with caution)
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
□ - Determine Failure & Cause
□ - Camera Failure
□ - Gimbal Failure
□ - Memory Card Failure
□ - Other Failure
□ - Error Message or Caution Displayed
□ - If Possible Determine Failure
Obstruction In-Flight Area:
□ -Remove or have someone else remove the obstruction (If Possible)
YES:
□ - Resolved, continue flight
NO:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
□ - Notify Authorities As Required
Aircraft Collision with an Object:
□ - Flight Control Still Available
YES:
□ - Return Aircraft to Operating Area & Land
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
NO:
□ - Activate Return to Home (with caution)
Yes:
□ - Track Aircraft Position
□ - Recover Aircraft
□ - Shut off Motors
□ - Power off Aircraft
No:
□ - Execute Fly Away Procedures
