Want to avoid a drone disaster? Don't skip your pre-flight and post-flight checklists

I’ve been flying drones, both recreationally and commercially, for over a decade — and hold a handful of drone licenses and certifications. Over those hundreds of hours of flying, I’ve yet to lose a drone. Yet, almost daily, I come across stories on social media of people losing their drones. Some drones crash on their first flight, some after months or years of problem-free service.

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I attribute my success, luck, and good fortune in part to experience, but mostly to the fact that I carry out regular safety checks on my drone. A drone is an aircraft, and just as you wouldn’t put a plane in the sky that hadn’t had safety checks carried out on it, I wouldn’t put a drone in the sky without doing the same.

So, what tests should you do, and when?

I have three sets of checks that I do: pre-flight checks, post-flight checks, and checks carried out every two weeks to a month (depending on how often I’m flying… the more I fly, the more often I check).

Why pre-flight and post-flight checks? One set is to catch damage that might have occurred while storing or transporting the drone (and anything I might have missed after the last post-flight check). The post-flight checks are there to catch anything that might have happened during the flight.

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The biweekly/monthly checks are there to again take a fresh look at the drone, as well as a deeper look at things like the batteries.

And it’s not just looking at the drone. Pre-flight checks take into consideration other things that can affect your drone.

Pre-flight checks

Drone checks

• Carefully check the drone for any visible damage to the frame, propellers, or landing gear. You’re looking for anything from cracks and chips to bending and seams popping open.
• Ensure propellers are securely attached and free of cracks or chips. Propellers are cheap, your drone isn’t. Replace them if they show any signs of damage. I always recommend using genuine propellers rather than third-party accessories.
• Ensure that all the propeller motors rotate freely.
• Check that the battery is fully charged and securely fitted. The last thing you want to happen is for the battery to fall out mid-flight (yes, that does happen).

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Controller checks

• Check that the controller turns on properly, is fully charged, and that all the control sticks move smoothly. If you get any error messages–such as the drone needing a compass calibration, IMU, or the controller needing calibration–carry these out before flying (the drone’s control will guide you through the appropriate steps).

Weather

• Check the local forecast for the possibility of high winds exceeding your drone’s wind resistance rating and for rain. Most consumer drones have a Level 5 wind resistance, which means they can handle wind speeds up to 24 mph (check your user manual or manufacturer’s website to find out your drone’s wind resistance).

Location

• Confirm that the area you want to fly in is free of obstacles and is not a restricted zone (for example, near an airport or other no-fly zone). You can use the app B4UFLY (iOS/Android) in the US, and Drone Assist in the UK (iOS/Android).

Post-flight checks

• Dry off any moisture with a microfiber cloth.
• Inspect the drone for damage.
• Check the battery for damage, swelling, or overheating (note that drone batteries routinely get hot, but they shouldn’t get too hot to the touch).
• Clean any dirt off the drone, paying close attention to the propellers, obstacle avoidance sensors, and camera.
• Look for new chips or cracks on the propellers.

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Biweekly/monthly checks

• Check the battery charge and top it up to around 50-60% if needed, the ideal amount for medium- to long-term storage.
• Carefully check all propellers for damage. Replace any propellers that have chips, scratches, or show signs of wear, no matter how minor, as this can seriously affect flight stability.
• Clean dirt off the drone, paying close attention to the sensors and camera.

Other tips

Here are a few other tips to help you fly safely:

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• I recommend creating and printing out a specific pre- and post-flight checklist for your drones. This way, you’re less likely to miss a step, especially if you’re in a hurry to catch a shot.
• Keep spare propellers, batteries, and a toolkit in your drone kit for quick in-the-field replacements.
• If flying commercially, make sure you have the necessary certifications and insurance.