PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST (M4P)

[Robert Prior]

As others have said, before you leave home check for updates. Also check that you have your SD card in the drone.

I have three pre-flight checklists: a pre-trip checklist of stuff I can do at home the day before (check airspace, weather predictions, SD card, rotors, settings, etc), a pre-flight site-inspection checklist (double-check airspace & weather, SD card (because I'm paranoid), etc.), and a separate pre-flight checklist of stuff I do before every flight (rotors, etc).

Basically, I want to discover any problems as early as possible when there is plenty of time to fix them (or change plans).

Some may think that my lists are more to-do lists, and I won't dispute that. I've just found checking off items on a list (and always doing them in the same order) is the best way for me to not forget a step. I've got less than 100 hours and a lot of this stuff isn't second nature yet.

 

[Larry Smith]

For #19, I generally ascend to about "eye-level", rotate 360 degrees for a final inspection to verify that everything looks good before moving away horizontally or vertically. Looking forward to seeing the completed pre-check list.
Thanks.

 

[MS Coast]

For #19, I generally ascend to about "eye-level", rotate 360 degrees for a final inspection to verify that everything looks good before moving away horizontally or vertically. Looking forward to seeing the completed pre-check list.
Thanks.

As @BigAl07 mentioned in another thread a couple of days ago, it's also a good idea to listen carefully for any irregularities in the motor and prop sounds.

 

[BigAl07]

As @BigAl07 mentioned in another thread a couple of days ago, it's also a good idea to listen carefully for any irregularities in the motor and prop sounds.

Here's the thread mentioned above

I'm very impressed and VERY thankful . . .

I was flying over a lakefront property today and about 90% of the flight was over below freezing water. I flew through 2 full batteries and both times I did my standard "start rotors, ascend to 10', look and listen for anomalies then ascend to target height to start working. All was "Normal"...

mavicpilots.com

 

[Dbez1]

As MA2 and Mobilehomer noted, one of the most important things on the checklist is your props. They are what keep you in the air and a small crack can turn into a big one. It’s great that you’re putting a checklist together though.

 

[Luckyguy9]

I just copied and pasted for an email to myself so I could easily pull it up. Jut what I needed.

I just updated the list with everyone's suggestions. Thank you!

 

[Luckyguy9]

As MA2 and Mobilehomer noted, one of the most important things on the checklist is your props. They are what keeps you in the air and a small crack can turn into a big one. It’s great that you’re putting a checklist together though.

THANKS. Good point! Your suggestion is now # 2 on the list!

 

[Luckyguy9]

As MA2 and Mobilehomer noted, one of the most important things on the checklist is your props. They are what keeps you in the air and a small crack can turn into a big one. It’s great that you’re putting a checklist together though.

thanks! your suggestion is #2 on the list!

 

[Luckyguy9]

For #19, I generally ascend to about "eye-level", rotate 360 degrees for a final inspection to verify that everything looks good before moving away horizontally or vertically. Looking forward to seeing the completed pre-check list.
Thanks.

I do exactly what you do, but somebody pointed out that the DJI manual says you should "rise to 7 m before moving horizontally from the home point", so that's why I put that in there

 

[Robert Prior]

I do exactly what you do, but somebody pointed out that the DJI manual says you should "rise to 7 m before moving horizontally from the home point", so that's why I put that in there

Eye level and rotate for visual and auditory inspection, then up to 7 m and double-check the home point on the map.

 

[rwilliam99]

Eye level and rotate for visual and auditory inspection, then up to 7 m and double-check the home point on the map.

FYI, I make sure the home point is set and correct before going any higher than eye level. If something is goofy, the drone can't get into any trouble and it doesn't have far to fall.

 

[dart106]

One more big picture thing to consider. Maintain situational awareness with the drone, especially when it has spun up and is airborne. A lengthily checklist has the potential for distraction away from the goal of flying safely.

 

[GhostRider2024]

I am based in Canada (Quebec) and just started to fly my DJI M4P.
I do NOT fly in the USA, which is why I do not have any references to LAANC, etc.
This (extremely - some might say too - extensive) checklist is what I'm starting with.

Once a flight is underway, I focus exclusively on the flying and not on the checklist...
Constructive comments welcome.

 

[akdrone]

lt's interesting how folks approach this hobby. I have no list. I check to see there are no restricted areas that I don't know about (locally that would almost always be limited to fire fighting issues). Other than that I am pretty good about ensuring I have an SD card in the drone. I typically take three drones when I go out flying and each has a small case for SD cards so I'm always reminded. Other than that...I feel the wind in my face to check wind...and fly. Actually...I got a wind speed indicator because I've been curious when I fly at -20F in a wind what the ground speed wind actually is and try to be a bit more aware of potential gusts and such. I also check around for powerlines. The darn things can be almost anywhere.

 

[GhostRider2024]

lt's interesting how folks approach this hobby. I have no list. I check to see there are no restricted areas that I don't know about (locally that would almost always be limited to fire fighting issues). Other than that I am pretty good about ensuring I have an SD card in the drone. I typically take three drones when I go out flying and each has a small case for SD cards so I'm always reminded. Other than that...I feel the wind in my face to check wind...and fly. Actually...I got a wind speed indicator because I've been curious when I fly at -20F in a wind what the ground speed wind actually is and try to be a bit more aware of potential gusts and such. I also check around for powerlines. The darn things can be almost anywhere.

In time, with practice, I aim to do the same, or at least cut down on the extras on my checklist.
The flight instructor who taught me and helped me earn my PPL in 1997 had been a bush pilot most of his life and had over 12k hours as PIC on the Cessna 172 I flew and learned on. He never used the checklist when he flew but insisted I do, which I did. Two years later, after getting my PPL, he crashed and was badly hurt. He hadn't checked the air intake before taking off on a dirt runway.

Godspeed Akdrone.