Template

Sample Pre-Flight Checklist

by Christopher Higgins, from the Community

Use this sample pre-flight checklist to verify airframe integrity, landing gear, propellers, motors, radio controller, batteries, and camera setup before takeoff. Includes FPV and video TX checks, battery capacity recording, controller stick and mode settings, start-up and calibration notes, and a brief hover test to confirm pitch, roll, and yaw. Ideal for drone and small aircraft operators seeking a clear, repeatable pre-flight routine. For guidance only—seek professional advice for your operations.

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Digitize any process, procedure or policy

Eliminate mistakes made by paper-based processes

Create and share professional reports instantly

Confirm accountability and compliance with a digital log

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Community

This community page makes available free workplace checklists and templates created by other users within the SafetyCulture community. SafetyCulture has re-published this content and where possible, has credited the original author. SafetyCulture has not verified the accuracy, reliability or suitability of any community content. You agree that your use of any of this content is in accordance with SafetyCulture’s Terms and Conditions.

Template
sUAS FRCs Preflight Equipment Checklist
This sUAS FRCs checklist supports safe, consistent drone operations by confirming equipment readiness before each flight. It covers paperwork, checklists, manuals, logbooks, and mission details; mobile phone and battery status; airframe condition and airworthiness; flight controller and transmitter checks; ground control station or tablet function and battery; required cables and leads; flight battery packs and charge level; spare propellers; camera memory cards and capacity; anemometer use for wind checks; site safety items like signs, tape, and cones; first aid kit and fire extinguisher; high-visibility jackets and hard hats; and a stable takeoff and landing mat. Use it to standardize preflight inspections, reduce risk, and document compliance across diverse drone missions.
by Jon Rowland, from the Community
Downloads: 10+
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Template
Drone Pre-Flight Checklist
This drone pre-flight checklist guides pilots through essential safety checks before takeoff. Inspect propellers and motors for cracks, damage, and secure fit; confirm motors rotate smoothly and are firmly seated. Verify the frame has no cracks or loose wiring, vents are clear, status lights work, and the camera lens is clean with sufficient storage. Assess batteries for swelling and full charge, including those for navigation devices. Test the remote controller’s levers, switches, antenna position, power, screen setup, and GPS home function. Perform a hover check to confirm payload security, remove gimbal locks and lens covers, watch for imbalances and abnormal sounds, validate control responsiveness, check for electromagnetic interference, and resolve any software warnings. Document issues with notes and photos and escalate critical findings to the chief pilot.
by Uc Oem, from the Community
Downloads: 10+
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Template
Unmanned Aircraft Pre/Post Flight Checks
Pilot in Command checklist for unmanned aircraft operations, covering pre flight and post flight tasks. Pre flight sections include regulatory requirements and local advisories, registration checks, battery and controller status, firmware updates, aircraft inspection including propellers, motors, gimbal, sensors, compass and IMU calibration, memory card, payload limits, and safety configuration such as return to home altitude, height and distance limits, and maintaining visual line of sight. It also covers flight area assessment, nearest obstacles, surface hazards, and emergency activity, as well as pilot fitness and weather conditions with Good to Fly verification. Post flight steps include disarming, damage checks, cooling components, reinstalling gimbal cover, housekeeping, packing equipment, and logging outcomes.
by Wang Wei Foong, from the Community
Downloads: 0
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Template
UA Pre/Post Flight Checks
This UA pre and post flight checklist helps pilots in charge conduct safe and compliant drone operations. It guides users through regulatory checks (registration, permits, advisories), equipment readiness (battery charge and condition, remote controller, firmware, sensors, propellers, motors), aircraft setup (compass and IMU calibration, gimbal, memory card), and site safety (takeoff and landing area, obstacles, altitude and distance limits, VLOS, nearby emergencies). It also prompts pilot fitness and weather assessment. Post flight items include disarming, cooling components, damage checks, re-fitting covers, wiping down equipment, housekeeping, and packing up.
by Wang Wei Foong, from the Community
Downloads: 10+
Get

sUAS FRCs Preflight Equipment Checklist

This sUAS FRCs checklist supports safe, consistent drone operations by confirming equipment readiness before each flight. It covers paperwork, checklists, manuals, logbooks, and mission details; mobile phone and battery status; airframe condition and airworthiness; flight controller and transmitter checks; ground control station or tablet function and battery; required cables and leads; flight battery packs and charge level; spare propellers; camera memory cards and capacity; anemometer use for wind checks; site safety items like signs, tape, and cones; first aid kit and fire extinguisher; high-visibility jackets and hard hats; and a stable takeoff and landing mat. Use it to standardize preflight inspections, reduce risk, and document compliance across diverse drone missions.

by Jon Rowland, from the Community

10+

Get

Template

Drone Pre-Flight Checklist

This drone pre-flight checklist guides pilots through essential safety checks before takeoff. Inspect propellers and motors for cracks, damage, and secure fit; confirm motors rotate smoothly and are firmly seated. Verify the frame has no cracks or loose wiring, vents are clear, status lights work, and the camera lens is clean with sufficient storage. Assess batteries for swelling and full charge, including those for navigation devices. Test the remote controller’s levers, switches, antenna position, power, screen setup, and GPS home function. Perform a hover check to confirm payload security, remove gimbal locks and lens covers, watch for imbalances and abnormal sounds, validate control responsiveness, check for electromagnetic interference, and resolve any software warnings. Document issues with notes and photos and escalate critical findings to the chief pilot.

by Uc Oem, from the Community

10+

Get

Template

Unmanned Aircraft Pre/Post Flight Checks

Pilot in Command checklist for unmanned aircraft operations, covering pre flight and post flight tasks. Pre flight sections include regulatory requirements and local advisories, registration checks, battery and controller status, firmware updates, aircraft inspection including propellers, motors, gimbal, sensors, compass and IMU calibration, memory card, payload limits, and safety configuration such as return to home altitude, height and distance limits, and maintaining visual line of sight. It also covers flight area assessment, nearest obstacles, surface hazards, and emergency activity, as well as pilot fitness and weather conditions with Good to Fly verification. Post flight steps include disarming, damage checks, cooling components, reinstalling gimbal cover, housekeeping, packing equipment, and logging outcomes.

by Wang Wei Foong, from the Community

Get

Template

UA Pre/Post Flight Checks

This UA pre and post flight checklist helps pilots in charge conduct safe and compliant drone operations. It guides users through regulatory checks (registration, permits, advisories), equipment readiness (battery charge and condition, remote controller, firmware, sensors, propellers, motors), aircraft setup (compass and IMU calibration, gimbal, memory card), and site safety (takeoff and landing area, obstacles, altitude and distance limits, VLOS, nearby emergencies). It also prompts pilot fitness and weather assessment. Post flight items include disarming, cooling components, damage checks, re-fitting covers, wiping down equipment, housekeeping, and packing up.

by Wang Wei Foong, from the Community

10+

Get

Sample Pre-Flight Checklist

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You might also like

sUAS FRCs Preflight Equipment Checklist

Drone Pre-Flight Checklist

Unmanned Aircraft Pre/Post Flight Checks

UA Pre/Post Flight Checks

You might also like

sUAS FRCs Preflight Equipment Checklist

Drone Pre-Flight Checklist

Unmanned Aircraft Pre/Post Flight Checks

UA Pre/Post Flight Checks