New Pilot please critique my checklist.

[kilomikebravo]

Even a calibrated compass can be wrong if there is metal nearby or underground.

Bob: My experience has been that the Mavic 2 Pro WILL give you a "magnetic interference" warning in the situation you described. The standard solution is to change the takeoff location by a little (or a lot,) depending on the amount of interference. For sure one of THE most important preflight checks is to ensure that the aircraft magnetic heading agrees with the triangle icon in the Radar Display. Compass problems and high winds are the two biggest factors in fly aways, IMHO.

 

[jacquespa]

Great to use checklist
As an ex Helicopter and Airline pilot the simpler the checklist the better. Too much detail is confusing and too long becomes time consuming and more likely to skip or gloss over.
Routine checks are done from memory then run through the checklist to make sure nothing critical missed The drone warns you of problems read them carefully before continuing

Keep it simple and fun. Enjoy

As an engineer (my wife says obsessive/compulsive) I started out with a very detailed list. Probably spent more time working on the list than being in the air on two batteries. My list is now basic things that pertain to safety or will ruin a flight (stuff I perpetually forget like the gimbal lock). I broke it into 3 categories: planning/checks at home, preflight on site, and landing/packup/post flight at home.

 

[dmcgrew]

You'll barely have any time to fly if you're screwing around with a checklist that crazy. My checklist usually just involves checking the props and checking that home point is set correctly. I also do a quick test of all the controls about 10 ft off the ground.

 

[SpitFire]

Yes keep it simple. I have a Pre flight check list at Base.
Pre flight check list ( in field)
Takeoff procedure
After takeoff procedure.
After landing check list.
Emergency Ptrocedure. Verry Important when under stress when something goes wrong. What to do?
Such as.
Low aircraft battery.
Critical low aircraft battery.
Critical error'
Weak control signal'
Lost satelite connection.
Airctraft out of sight.
Compass error Calibration required.
Compass error ExitP-GPS mode.
Abort RTH
I have a sliding bar on my tablet, for each catagory as to when was the last time I check something on my check list.
for instances, when was the last timeI checked Roterblades? Are theyproperly tightened/ Damaged surface.

Depends on how much you value your aircraft?

 

[tmike]

I always check for TFR's, they are usually published 3 -5 days before implementation and don't always start at 00:00 .

 

[old man mavic]

all you need to do is take your time before you take off,check you get home point recorded message, and that no warning prompts appear on the app screen,after take off let it hover do a full 360 yaw then start video, if thats what you are doing and dont forget to focus, then get the heck up to a good altitude,and go enjoy yourself.

there is one very important procedure to follow just before you take off ,and that is to look all around you to make sure no one is standing to close or walking close by ,unless it is someone who is known to you and is under your control, ( ie a spotter or family member assisting you)

 

[Pete162]

Check if front of camera is clean. Plus I always check all the sensors before taking off!

 

[FoxhallGH]

there is one very important procedure to follow just before you take off ,and that is to look all around you to make sure no one is standing to close or walking close by ,unless it is someone who is known to you and is under your control, ( ie a spotter or family member assisting you)

Hi @JayJ03 ... I agree with OMM on this one ... Your checklist is thorough but (except for the weather), is focussed on the Drone during the 'At Location' checks. With the anti-drone lobby about, you should be aware of who and what is about you and make sure that you are not going to be breaking any rules by doing the flight you have planned. I'm not sure what country you are in, but here in the UK, I'd check that my max. height was set to 120 metres (400 ft), and that I was 50 metres away from people/houses and/or 150 metres away from built-up areas.

In the main, you'll probably encounter more positive people than negative - but it always helps if you instruct those that are interested in what you are doing, that you have their safety in mind.

 

[old man mavic]

Hi @JayJ03 ... I agree with OMM on this one ... Your checklist is thorough but (except for the weather), is focussed on the Drone during the 'At Location' checks. With the anti-drone lobby about, you should be aware of who and what is about you and make sure that you are not going to be breaking any rules by doing the flight you have planned. I'm not sure what country you are in, but here in the UK, I'd check that my max. height was set to 120 metres (400 ft), and that I was 50 metres away from people/houses and/or 150 metres away from built-up areas.

In the main, you'll probably encounter more positive people than negative - but it always helps if you instruct those that are interested in what you are doing, that you have their safety in mind.

@FoxhallGH thanks for your comments, i did like you notice all the checklists were about the drone, and for me for a successful flight apart from weather conditions ,checking your surroundings and flying enviroment is just as important

 

[SleeperNo1]

I should be getting my Mavic 2 Pro tomorrow. I modified another members list but if I need to add anything please let me know.

Before leaving for location:
Obtain any waivers or authorizations if needed for flight location
Check weather conditions of flight location
Check NOTAMS for flight location
Check battery levels (Mavic, controller) Check each cell voltage in app
Confirm MicroSD is in Mavic and formatted
Preload maps
Check for any firmware updates

At location:
Check weather/wind speed
Unfold Mavic arms
Check propeller blades condition (Replace if nicked, cracked or deemed unsafe)
Remove Gimbal cover
Attach ND Filter If needed
Place Mavic on Launch site (Level ground, clear of any overhead obstacles)
Connect phone to controller
Open DJI app
Power on controller
Power on Mavic
Set phone to do not disturb & airplane mode
Make sure compass is calibrated (not needed every time)
Look for “Ready to Go” message on controller
Confirm GPS & Compass are connected
Confirm return to home is set and RTH altitude
Make sure Flight mode switch is not set to sport
Clear area for takeoff
Power on motors
Take off and hover for 30 seconds. Check gimbal and camera setting.

Im an instrument rated private pilot and a commercial drone pilot. This is a really good checklist. I am shamelessly stealing it for work. Good job.

 

[skiptv]

Good list. Follow it and dont be lazy and blow it off like some others here have suggest. As a professional, for safety and insurance reason, myself and my VO go over our check list allowed. By the way, the few minutes you take confirming location and operation, could save you and your drone.

 

[Monument.AL]

I should be getting my Mavic 2 Pro tomorrow. I modified another members list but if I need to add anything please let me know.......

Good on you JayJ. It is interesting to see the wide spectrum of responses you have received to your question. At one end we have those who have been professional flyers and are used to using Checklists to ensure they Do everything in the right sequence, through to those who are just happy to simply "wing it" in the airspace we share with other aircraft.

Here in Australia, CASA our Federal Government equivalent to the FAA require those drone pilots who are doing commercial work to have operational processes and procedures in place to manage every flight. The best way to ensure we are complying with, and can also prove during an audit that these processes and procedures have been followed, is to have a detailed checklist.

So to assist those that are interested, and in the spirit of sharing & bringing a professional approach to our industry, I have uploaded a copy of my Mavic 2 checklist, which you are welcome to scavenge and add to you your own. Apologies in advance for the Australian perspective but it should be fairly easy to adapt to your local country.

Enjoy flying your new bird JayJ. It is a fantastic piece of kit. And take a gold star for your professional approach.

 

[drone111]

While I disagree with about 75% of everything you said.... I hope you never fly commercially or within a control zone... your one of those dangerous fliers that shouldn't be out there.

Check NOTAMS for flight location Not needed if flying locally, with exceptions noted below.
• I know I will get some static for this, but unless you are flying in an area new to you or where temporary NFZ's pop up regularly, you won't need to do this every time. Assuming you will be flying locally like most do, paying attention to the news about things that may close an airspace and looking at the wind in the trees will give enough of a weather report. If travelling a distance before flying the weather may change by the time you get there. For me, if it is not raining and the wind is not blowing the trees, I fly.

Check your notams every single time. Period.

 

[Mossiback]

... your one of those dangerous fliers that shouldn't be out there...

I knew I would get a negative comment from someone like you. You don't know me or how I fly. I always fly within VLOS, under 400 feet, never over people, etc, etc.

 

[Porky]

I knew I would get a negative comment from someone like you. You don't know me or how I fly. I always fly within VLOS, under 400 feet, never over people, etc, etc.

Ohhhh, you did get told off??

 

[drone111]

I knew I would get a negative comment from someone like you. You don't know me or how I fly. I always fly within VLOS, under 400 feet, never over people, etc, etc.

I don't need to know you. Next time you take a flight somewhere and your pilot tells you ... "ehh.. before takeoff were going to skip our checklist... i know you guys don't know me personally, but its ok" ...

 

[Mossiback]

I don't need to know you. Next time you take a flight somewhere and your pilot tells you ... "ehh.. before takeoff were going to skip our checklist... i know you guys don't know me personally, but its ok" ...

Relax. I did not state that a checklist was not needed or should be skipped. I just stated that to go fly you would not need to check NOTAMS every time you fly at your local spot, providing your local spot is not subject to random airspace restrictions. There are always exceptions, but where I fly on an almost daily basis, keeping it in VLOS and under 400 feet, I am far from a "dangerous flier".

I get the feeling that you are not open to of another point of view, so I am out.

 

[Cheech Wizard]

I should be getting my Mavic 2 Pro tomorrow. I modified another members list but if I need to add anything please let me know.

Before leaving for location:
Obtain any waivers or authorizations if needed for flight location
Check weather conditions of flight location
Check NOTAMS for flight location
Check battery levels (Mavic, controller) Check each cell voltage in app
Confirm MicroSD is in Mavic and formatted
Preload maps
Check for any firmware updates

At location:
Check weather/wind speed
Unfold Mavic arms
Check propeller blades condition (Replace if nicked, cracked or deemed unsafe)
Remove Gimbal cover
Attach ND Filter If needed
Place Mavic on Launch site (Level ground, clear of any overhead obstacles)
Connect phone to controller
Open DJI app
Power on controller
Power on Mavic
Set phone to do not disturb & airplane mode
Make sure compass is calibrated (not needed every time)
Look for “Ready to Go” message on controller
Confirm GPS & Compass are connected
Confirm return to home is set and RTH altitude
Make sure Flight mode switch is not set to sport
Clear area for takeoff
Power on motors
Take off and hover for 30 seconds. Check gimbal and camera setting.

Is this your first drone?

 

[Cheech Wizard]

I'm following as well. My drone gets here Monday

First drone?

 

[Cheech Wizard]

As an engineer (my wife says obsessive/compulsive) I started out with a very detailed list. Probably spent more time working on the list than being in the air on two batteries. My list is now basic things that pertain to safety or will ruin a flight (stuff I perpetually forget like the gimbal lock). I broke it into 3 categories: planning/checks at home, preflight on site, and landing/packup/post flight at home.

Get one of those "Remove Before Flight" ribbons and attach it to the gimbal cover by drilling a small hole and use maybe a fishing swivel and clips to attach.