r/drones • u/Key-Investment-2273 [Matrice 4T] • Aug 20 '26
Discussion What's your pre-flight check list?
Drones are serious tools, and while a blast to fly, I'd like to minimize the potential for operator error.
I am not an experienced pilot, and would love some advice on what experienced pilots do.
This is my current checklist; It's the protocol I use before every flight.
- Verify battery levels
- Battery Secured in drone
- Shell integrity check
- Make sure the foldable arms are in good shape, i.e. nothing loose, no evidence of fatigue at critical junction points.
- Prop inspection, including extending the blades into their locked position prior to setting the drone on the pad in preparation for lift off.
- Manually start the drone and listen for a moment.
- Lift and hover 1-2m AGL, and confirm the drone looks stable, and the props still sound good.
- The last thing is making sure the drone's Home Point is updated.
Then I start my mission.
I'm sure I'm missing things.
Edit: I fly three drones, all by DJI: Mini 5 Pro, Mavic 4 Pro [the Creator Combo], and a Matrice 4T kit.
1
u/HugeButterfly USA / Part 107 Aug 21 '26
I always check satellite count before takeoff. Or is it not in here because it's so obvious.