Pre Flight Checks

[Gooseman]

Hi
I was thinking (I know - always dangerous), I wanted to establish a set of pre flight checks (PFC) as part of my PfCO, the UK version of 107?

I had a hunt around and found some examples that I could tweak for the M2P. I then figured it might be good to put them up here and see if anyone has an opinion, if they see a missing point in the process, or anything else that might lead to a standardised set of PFCs we could all adopt.

Here's where I'm at. Tweaked for the M2P and an iPad4:

Cut and Paste, edit at will, post up below!
PLEASE highlight your changes in red so we can see them, or add a 'deleted' message on the line you take out


Preparation (eve of flight):

• Check for Firmware Updates
• Check for DJI GO 4 app updates
• 6x batteries, RC and iPad charged to 100%
• Plan flight location and route for objectives
• Check forecast on aeroweather app (check for hours ahead)

Packing list:

• Mavic 2 Pro Drone
• Batteries x6
• Remote Controller (RC)
• (2) Foldable Propellers
• Micro SD cards x2
• iPad
• Cable to connect RC to iPad x2

Pre flight (on location)

• Check DroneSafe app for
• Check SkyWise app for NOTAMs
• Check visible weather conditions, wind, temperature, etc.
• Check for visibility is well outside 400ft/500mtrs
• Inspect overall aircraft/battery for damage
• Check SUAV Battery level
• Check RC battery level
• Check Phone or Tablet battery level

Prepare the aircraft

• Unfold arms of Mavic
• Extend propellers
• Remove gimbal cover (and stow!)
• Attach ND filters (if needed)
• Insert Micro SD Card
• Unfold the antennas on RC
• On the side of the RC, make sure “Sport" is off
• Set SUAV on a flat, level surface
• Connect iPad to bottom of RC and cable up

Powering up

• Turn on iPad and enter the DJI GO 4 app
• Turn on the RC
• Turn on the SUAV (red, green, amber flashing on legs)
• The SUAV will make the “DJI chime” (for lack of a better term)
• The gimbal will move
• Connect SUAV to DJI GO 4
• Select ISO, iris and shutter speed
• Format SD card
• Wait for GPS & compass to lock
• Check for RC go status
• Check for SUAV go status (green blinking in P-Mode)
• Check for automatic or set a manual RTH point

Begin Flight

• Start motors and allow to idle
• Inspect for irregular vibrations or movements, gimbal placement
• Check for crew clearance
• Check observers (if any) are ready and have VLOS (if remote)
• Final check for obstructions or take off and flight risks
• Launch the SUAV to hover (2mtrs), check stable hover, pitch, yaw, lift and descend controls
• Check exposure and adjust if necessary
• Recheck GPS signal strength
• Continue flight as per flight plan

End Flight

• Check landing area clearance
• Determine wind direction and bring SUAV downwind of land site
• Warn crew of incoming SUAV
• Orientate SUAV for landing
• Warn crew of SUAV landing
• Land SUAV and power off motors, let stand to cool with fans
• Turn off iPad and RC controller
• Once cooled, turn off SUAV

Post Flight

• Turn off SUAV before removing battery
• Power down RC and iPad
• Check SUAV for damage and dust/debris in air intakes

 

[Mossiback]

My 2¢ worth. Based on flying the MP.

Preparation (eve of flight):

• Check for Firmware Updates
• Check for DJI GO 4 app updates Only update if necessary to fix bug or add functionality. If any firmware/software is updated then confirm that it works properly before leaving Internet connection.
• 6x batteries, RC and iPad charged to 100% (most find 3 batteries sufficient - your needs may vary)
• Plan flight location and route for objectives
• Check forecast on aeroweather app (check four hours ahead)

Packing list:

• Mavic 2 Pro Drone
• Batteries x6
• Remote Controller (RC)
• (2) Foldable Propellers Spare props (full set)
• Micro SD cards x2 (one in the Mavic)
• iPad
• Cable to connect RC to iPad x2
• Lens cleaning kit
• Soft towel
• Lens filters
• Pad holder?
• USB power supply and cable for RC - may need if using six M2P batteries

Pre flight (on location)

• Check DroneSafe app for ???
• Check SkyWise app for NOTAMs
• Check visible weather conditions, wind, temperature, etc.
• Check for visibility is well outside 400ft/500mtrs (? 400ft = 122mtrs)
• Inspect overall aircraft/battery for damage
• Check SUAV Battery level
• Check RC battery level
• Check Phone or Tablet battery level

Prepare the aircraft

• Unfold arms of Mavic
• Extend propellers
• Inspect propellers and confirm positive attachment
• Remove gimbal cover (and stow!)
• Clean lens and filter if needed
• Attach ND filters (if needed)
• Insert Micro SD Card Card should already be in craft - they are easy to drop and lose in the field
• Unfold the antennas on RC
• On the side of the RC, make sure “Sport" is off
• Set SUAV on a flat, level surface
• Connect iPad to bottom of RC and cable up

Powering up (re-arranged order)

• Turn on the RC
• Turn on the SUAV (red, green, amber flashing on legs)
• The SUAV will make the “DJI chime” (for lack of a better term)
• The gimbal will move
• Connect and turn on iPad and enter the DJI GO 4 app (Go 4 should start automatically)
• Ignore any update notices. An update may cause a problem in the field.
• Connect SUAV to DJI GO 4 (Is this the Go Fly button?)
• Select ISO, iris and shutter speed (You can do this now but the lighting will be different at altitude )
• Format SD card
• Wait for GPS & compass to lock
• Confirm that Go 4 indicator agrees with direction the M2 is pointed
• Check for RC go status
• Check for SUAV go status (green blinking in P-Mode)
• Check for automatic or set a manual RTH point
• Set RTH for the conditions - Set to return or hover if under obstacles

Begin Flight (re-arranged order)

• Check for crew clearance Crew?
• Check observers (if any) are ready and have VLOS (if remote)
• Final check for obstructions or take off and flight risks
• Start motors and allow to idle (it idles until told otherwise)
• Confirm home point
• Inspect for irregular vibrations or movements, gimbal placement
• Launch the SUAV to hover (2mtrs), check stable hover, pitch, yaw, lift and descend controls
• Rise up and confirm RTH height setting is well above any obstacle
• Check exposure and focus and adjust if necessary
• Recheck GPS signal strength (It will announce a loss of GPS. Should not happen unless in canyon, under bridge, or in other tight location.)
• Confirm winds aloft and adjust flight plan if necessary to have returning tailwind if on long flight
• Continue flight as per flight plan
• Monitor battery meter. It is only an estimate and does not account for wind speed/direction so adjust flight accordingly.

End Flight

• Check landing area clearance
• Determine wind direction and bring SUAV downwind of land site
• Warn crew of incoming SUAV
• Orientate SUAV for landing
• Warn crew of SUAV landing
• Land SUAV and power off motors, let stand to cool with fans (the motors power off automatically when landed. Mavic still generates heat when left on, whether the motors are turning or not)
• Turn off Mavic, replace battery, turn on Mavic, check Go 4, fly again
• When finished flying, mount charged battery if available (so it is ready if needed)
• Turn off iPad and RC controller
• Once cooled, turn off SUAV

Post Flight

• Turn off SUAV before removing battery
• Power down RC and iPad (covered above)
• Check SUAV for damage and dust/debris in air intakes and on camera lens/gimbal

 

[Gooseman]

Many thanks for your input, hugely valuable and I've incorporated them.

My 2¢ worth. Based on flying the MP.


1 (most find 3 batteries sufficient - your needs may vary)

2. Spare props (full set)

3. USB power supply and cable for RC - may need if using six M2P batteries

4. (? 400ft = 122mtrs)

5. Card should already be in craft - they are easy to drop and lose in the field

6. (Go 4 should start automatically)

Check for crew clearance Crew?

To address the points you make, from the top:

1. I have terrible range anxiety!
2. Got the spare props
3. Good idea, my iPad is running low on juice after four batteries in the M2P
4. I know! I mentioned this to my tutor (PfCO) and he said that due to traditional usage, some measurement stay in imperial, others can be metric. Mad.
5. How true!
6. Mine doesn't! I have to boot it. Would be nice if it did though.
7. I was writing this as if I was on an assignment, so likely as not I'd have at least one client, one agency person and my assistant (the observer) all of whom could blunder into the flight path!