Incidents and violations rarely happen because a pilot did not know the rules. They happen because the pilot skipped a step under time pressure, assumed something was fine without checking, or did not have a systematic process in the first place.
A pre-flight checklist is not bureaucracy. It is the operational discipline that separates consistent professional operators from pilots who get lucky most of the time.
This checklist covers the full planning cycle -- from the day before a flight to the moment before launch.
Day Before: Planning and Authorization
Airspace verification. Check the airspace class for your planned operating area. Confirm whether LAANC authorization is required and available. If LAANC is not available, determine whether manual FAA authorization or a waiver is needed and whether you have it. Do not assume -- check.
Use UAS SkyCheck to get the full picture: airspace class, LAANC availability, restricted zones, nearby airports, and the safety score for your planned location and altitude.
TFR check. Search for active and scheduled TFRs in your area. Scheduled TFRs -- sporting events, VIP movements, airshows -- appear in the FAA system 24-72 hours in advance. An active sports venue TFR can cover a significant radius. Check the full day's TFR calendar, not just the current moment.
NOTAM review. Check NOTAMs for your location and the nearest airports. Relevant NOTAMs include runway closures that affect traffic patterns, airspace reservations, and operational restrictions. Captain-tier pilots can access live NOTAM data directly in UAS SkyCheck.
Weather assessment. Review the TAF for the nearest airport. Note the wind forecast for your planned operating window, any precipitation or reduced visibility periods, and any significant change groups (FM, TEMPO) that could affect conditions. Check the density altitude implications if you are operating at elevation or in high temperatures.
Site reconnaissance. If you have not flown this location before, review satellite imagery for potential hazards -- power lines, antenna towers, trees near the planned flight path, terrain features that could affect wind, and population density. Google Maps satellite view at your planned operating altitude is a useful planning tool.
Client and stakeholder coordination. Confirm your arrival time, site access, and any site-specific safety requirements with the client or site operator. Construction sites require check-in with the site superintendent. Confirm who needs notification of the flight and whether there are any people or activities on site that affect your plan.
Morning of Flight
Weather update. Recheck the METAR at the nearest airport. Compare actual conditions to the TAF forecast. If conditions are worse than forecast, reassess your go/no-go decision. If conditions are better, note the difference but do not assume the improvement will persist.
TFR update. Run a fresh TFR check immediately before departing for the site. New TFRs can appear with little notice -- wildfire TFRs, law enforcement operations, and emergency airspace restrictions activate quickly.
Equipment inspection.
- Drone: inspect for physical damage, loose arms, propeller condition, motor freedom of movement, gimbal range of motion
- Batteries: check state of charge, inspect for swelling or damage, confirm they were stored properly
- Remote controller: confirm charge level, check antennas are properly positioned
- Memory cards: confirm they are formatted and have sufficient space
- ND filters: select appropriate filters for expected lighting conditions
- Spare propellers: confirm you have them
Software and firmware. Confirm the drone firmware is current. Check for any critical updates to the companion app. Confirm GPS signal is acquired and the map data is updated for your operating area.
At the Site
Site assessment on arrival. Do not launch immediately. Walk the site first. Assess wind direction and speed at ground level. Look for obstacles that were not visible in satellite imagery -- temporary structures, vehicles, elevated equipment. Identify your emergency landing zones -- areas clear of people and obstacles where you can land immediately if necessary.
Bystander and personnel awareness. Identify all people within your planned operating area. Communicate with any workers or site personnel about your planned flight path and duration. Never fly directly over people without appropriate authorization and safety measures.
Launch position selection. Select a launch and recovery position that is:
- Clear of obstacles in all directions
- Upwind of your primary operating area when possible
- Away from concentrations of people
- On stable, level ground
Final airspace check. Run a final UAS SkyCheck preflight for your exact coordinates before launching. Conditions change and TFRs can appear between your morning check and your arrival at the site.
Pre-Launch Sequence
Complete these steps in order, every flight:
- Place drone on launch position and power on
- Power on remote controller
- Allow GPS lock to acquire -- confirm satellite count is adequate (typically 10+ satellites)
- Review battery levels: drone battery, controller battery, any tablet or phone battery
- Confirm compass calibration status -- recalibrate if prompted or if in a new location
- Check home point is set correctly
- Set return-to-home altitude to clear the highest obstacle in the return path
- Set return-to-home battery threshold to a level appropriate for the planned flight
- Review camera settings: shutter speed, ISO, white balance, ND filter selection
- Confirm video or photo mode is correct for the planned work
- Scan the airspace visually -- look for manned aircraft and other drones in the area
- Announce launch to any personnel in the area
During Flight
- Maintain visual line of sight at all times
- Monitor battery level continuously -- land before reaching your minimum threshold, not at it
- Scan for manned aircraft regularly -- give way to all manned aircraft
- Monitor wind behavior -- unexpected control inputs or unusual battery drain indicates changing conditions
- Stay alert for other drones -- coordinate with any other UAS operators in the area
Post-Flight
- Land with adequate battery remaining (minimum 20-25 percent for most operations)
- Power off drone before controller
- Review footage or data on-site to confirm captures are usable before packing up
- Log the flight: date, location, duration, conditions, anomalies
- Report any airspace conflicts or safety incidents through the appropriate channels
- Charge batteries to storage level if next flight is more than a few days away
Flight Log Entry
Maintaining a flight log is required for Part 107 commercial operations. Each entry should include:
- Date and time
- Location (coordinates or address)
- Drone used (registration number)
- Pilot in command
- Flight duration
- Weather conditions
- Any incidents or anomalies
Captain-tier pilots can save briefings directly to their flight log in UAS SkyCheck and export the full log as CSV for record-keeping.
Run your complete airspace and weather preflight at uas-skycheck.app. The 0-100 safety score, restricted zone warnings, live METAR, and wind shear forecast cover the critical data points in this checklist.