A pre-flight checklist for drone inspection jobs
Most inspection problems start before the drone leaves the ground: a battery left at 60%, an SD card that was never cleared, a site with a hazard nobody mentioned. A written checklist catches these because it does not rely on memory at the end of a long day.
Before you leave
- Confirm the job address, client contact and what they need to see.
- Check the weather window: wind, gusts, rain and temperature for your drone.
- Check airspace and any restrictions near the site.
- Charge every battery and the controller. Clear the SD card.
On site, before powering up
- Walk the area. Note power lines, trees, people and where you will take off and land.
- Check propellers for chips or cracks and make sure they are tight.
- Confirm the gimbal moves freely and the lens is clean.
Before takeoff
- Firmware is current and the app connects.
- GPS lock is solid and the home point is set.
- Return-to-home height clears the tallest obstacle on site.
- Camera settings are set for the job: photo or video, resolution and format.
After landing
- Check that the photos and video actually recorded.
- Note any battery, signal or equipment issues for next time.
- Sign off the checklist so there is a record the checks were done.
In the United States, the FAA's rule for commercial drone pilots (14 CFR 107.49) requires you, before each flight, to assess the local weather, airspace and restrictions, people and property, and other ground hazards. It also requires you to confirm the control links work, that there is enough power for the planned flight, and that anything attached to the aircraft is secure. Check the current rule before you fly commercially.
A paper list works, but it is easy to skip and hard to prove later. RotorRun includes 24 checklist templates with digital sign-off, so each job has a record of what was checked and when.
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Source: 14 CFR 107.49, Preflight familiarization, inspection, and actions for aircraft operation (eCFR). The checklist items are general good practice written by RotorRun; adapt them to your aircraft and local rules.