In the previous chapter, we went through almost every configuration that was necessary for your first flight. At this point, your flight controller should be ready. In this chapter, you will make some final adjustments and check whether everything is working properly before your first flight. Then, you will find a list of important checks that you should do before you fly your quadcopter.
In this chapter, we will cover the following topics:
- Preflight checklist
- Motor checks
- Securing connections
- Voltage checks
- Weight balance checks
- Location and environment
- Signal interference
- Long distance flights
- Unscheduled landings
Even the most experienced pilots have a preflight checklist in the back of their heads. The reason for making and flying a craft like this is for fun or professional business. The last thing anyone wants is to be exposed to situations where things go crazy. So, let's gather some important notes about the things that should be checked before you fly:
- The airframe/landing gear is not damaged
- The props are secure, undamaged, and spin in the correct direction
- The motors are secure and undamaged
- The ESC is secure and undamaged
- The GPS, telemetry, receiver, and transmitters cables are secured
- The battery and other power connections and the voltage are correct
Notice that professional pilots who have bought a DJI Inspire quadcopter or any other expensive craft usually sit down and write a list, which they should always check before flying. It is a good idea to sit down and write a list according to your own quadcopter. The list depends on how many components and what stuff you have added to the craft over time. An example of a checklist for a market drone can be found in the following image:
