5 Reasons to Prioritize Pre-Flight Checklists for Drone Services

1. Safe and Professional Operations

Just like commercial airline pilots use a checklist before each flight, drone pilots use pre-flight checklists to ensure their operations are safe and legal. In addition to ensuring aircraft readiness and considering things like weather, site safety and crew briefings, checklists also help pilots ensure compliance with FAA, state and local regulations that govern the commercial use of drones.

2. Redundancy = Consistency

Checklists augment pilot memory to ensure that all required actions are performed in an orderly manner and without omission. When properly implemented, checklists are used redundantly and consistently before every flight, regardless of how many times the pilot has flown a particular aircraft or mission.

3. Complacency = Missed Steps

The aim of implementing a checklist is not simply to read through and check off items. Rather, the objective is to prevent complacency by methodically following every step. Forcing oneself to read each checklist item may seem awkward and time-consuming to a drone pilot who has flown a particular aircraft many times before. However, if a pilot scans the items to be checked quickly due to time pressures, versus taking time to consider each step, missed or incorrect steps can result in disaster.

4. They’re Not Just for Pilots

The pre-flight checklist is an integral part of effective Crew Resource Management, which enhances teamwork, increases communication and transforms operational hierarchy to improve safety and reduce risk. When used effectively, the checklist is key to ensuring that the entire flight crew is on the same page and properly briefed for every mission.

5. They’re Not Just for Pre-Flight

Pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight procedures are all part of a comprehensive checklist. Best practices should include, but not be limited to, these high-level considerations:

Pre-flight

– Airspace restrictions and weather considerations

– Pilot and crew mental and physical fitness

– Site inspection and mission walk through

– Take-off, landing, safety perimeter and emergency abort zones established

– Crew and bystander briefing

– Aircraft, payload and flight system inspection

In-Flight

– Take-off procedure

– Maintain visual line of sight with aircraft

– Maintain safe operating distance from people and obstavles

– Monitor airspace for other aircraft

– Maintain “sterile cockpit” to avoid pilot distraction

Post-Flight

– Landing procedure

– Power down sequence

– Data acquisition procedure

– Post-flight aircraft inspection

– Flight logging

Conclusion

Replacing human error with a strong safety culture and reliance on proven procedures is paramount to the success of any drone services provider. Aviation safety studies have shown that consistent and methodical use of checklists reduces risk by virtually eliminating mistakes and oversights. A strong emphasis on team intelligence and effective procedures like operational reports and checklists can ensure teams are on the same page and operating at peak effectiveness.

Bottom Line: Take the time to do it right – or don’t fly

From The Editor:

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Jim Brammer

Director, Product at Aerial Decisions

After establishing a commercial photography studio in 2008 Jim founded Soaring Vistas Media in 2014, augmenting his studio-based offerings with aerial photography. The following year, Jim's aerial cinematography work was selected as a finalist at the 2015 InterDrone Film Festival. As the commercial drone industry matured, Jim obtained his FAA 333 Exemption in 2016 and, in 2017, his FAA Part 107 Pilot Certificate and Night Ops waiver. In addition to offering drone-based aerial photography, videography, cinematography and data capture services, Jim is also a drone industry Consultant and Part 107 ground school/flight school Instructor.

When he’s not shooting or flying, Jim’s passions include spending time with family; enjoying wine, live music and traveling with his wife Marcia; and giving back through non-profit work with organizations such as City of Hope and Unform Your Bias.

“At Aerial Decisions, our primary focus is on the safe, ethical and professional operation of drones. The knowledge that we are making a difference is truly meaningful, both for me personally, as well as our Clients. Our exceptional team of professionals allows me to leverage a perfect mashup of the skills – photography, videography, drone piloting and training, plus sales, marketing and strategic consulting – that I’ve been fortunate to amass along my journey to this point in my life.”