---
title: "Drone pre-flight checklist: weather, airspace and aircraft"
description: "A practical drone pre-flight checklist: weather and wind at altitude, KP index and satellites, airspace, batteries, propellers and the home point."
canonical: https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
lang: en
site: Drone Weather Forecast
updated: 2026-09-17
alternates:
  - lang: pt-BR
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/pt/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: es
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/es/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: fr
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/fr/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: de
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/de/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: it
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/it/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: nl
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/nl/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: pl
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/pl/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: id
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/id/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: ru
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/ru/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: ja
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/ja/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: tr
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/tr/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: el
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/el/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: zh-Hans
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/zh-hans/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: zh-Hant
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/zh-hant/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
  - lang: hi
    url: https://droneweatherforecast.app/hi/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
html: https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist
markdown: https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/drone-pre-flight-checklist.md
llms_txt: https://droneweatherforecast.app/llms.txt
---

# Drone pre-flight checklist

> A practical drone pre-flight checklist: weather and wind at altitude, KP index and satellites, airspace, batteries, propellers and the home point.

*Last updated: 2026-09-17*

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](https://droneweatherforecast.app/drones)).
- **Rain, visibility and cloud base** for the whole flight window ([rain guide](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/can-you-fly-a-drone-in-the-rain)).
- **Temperature** within your drone's range ([cold-weather guide](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/flying-a-drone-in-cold-weather)).
- **KP index and satellite count** for your position ([KP guide](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/kp-index-for-drone-pilots)).
- **Airspace:** no-fly and restricted zones, and any authorisation your national aviation authority requires ([no-fly zones by country](https://droneweatherforecast.app/no-fly-zones)).
- **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.

## More guides

- [Can you fly a drone in the rain?](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/can-you-fly-a-drone-in-the-rain)
- [Flying a drone in cold weather](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/flying-a-drone-in-cold-weather)
- [The KP index explained for drone pilots](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/kp-index-for-drone-pilots)
- [How many satellites does a drone need?](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/drone-gps-satellites)
- [Wind at altitude: why it is windier up there](https://droneweatherforecast.app/guides/wind-at-altitude)

## Check the wind for your drone before every flight

Drone Weather Forecast compares the hourly forecast, gusts, KP index and satellites with your drone model. Free on Android and iOS, no ads.

- [Get it on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=xyz.droneweather.app)
- [Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/drone-weather-forecast/id6768126094)