A consistent checklist catches the problems that cause most drone accidents. Adapt it to your aircraft and your local rules.
Before you leave
- Wind and gusts at your flying height compared with your drone's limit (wind limits chart).
- Rain, visibility and cloud base for the whole flight window (rain guide).
- Temperature within your drone's range (cold-weather guide).
- KP index and satellite count for your position (KP guide).
- Airspace: no-fly and restricted zones, and any authorisation your national aviation authority requires (no-fly zones by country).
- Batteries charged (drone, controller, phone) and firmware up to date.
At the take-off spot
- Propellers undamaged and firmly attached; gimbal cover removed; memory card inserted.
- A clear take-off area away from people, metal structures and power lines.
- Compass calibrated only when the app asks for it, away from metal and cars.
- Enough satellites locked and the home point recorded.
- Return-to-home altitude above the highest obstacle nearby.
In flight
- Keep the drone within visual line of sight.
- Watch the battery and the wind warnings; head upwind first.
- Land with a reserve.
Drone Weather Forecast combines the weather checks in one verdict for your drone model and lets you build your own checklists, tick them off before each flight and keep a history of completed checks.