A drone preflight checklist is the list a remote pilot works through at the launch spot before the props turn: who is flying and watching, whether the airspace needs an authorization, what the weather is doing, what is around the site, and whether the aircraft, batteries, controller and camera are fit for this flight. This form records each of those checks, a clear go or no-go decision, and a short log after landing, so there is a dated record of what the pilot looked at and decided. Fill it in here and download a PDF without an account, or speak while you walk, and the document writes itself.
What the checklist covers, in the order you do it
The form follows the way a preflight usually happens. First the paperwork side: the crew, the pilot's certificate, the airspace class, any authorization, and the notices and temporary restrictions for the area. Then you look up and around: wind, gusts, cloud and rain, people, power lines, buildings and trees, and where you will take off and land.
Then the aircraft itself, from the outside in: airframe, propellers, motors, batteries, firmware, compass and IMU, satellite lock, the return-to-home height and Remote ID. Then the controller, the link and the camera, an emergency brief with anyone helping, and the decision.
Airspace and authorization, recorded not assumed
In the US, commercial flights usually fall under FAA Part 107, and flying in controlled airspace needs an authorization, often requested through LAANC. Other countries have their own rules and their own systems. The form does not tell you what applies; it records the airspace class you found, whether this flight needed an authorization or waiver, its reference and time window, and that NOTAMs and temporary flight restrictions were checked for the time you will be in the air.
A No on any of those is a safety finding. It does not mean you did something wrong; it means the flight should wait until it is answered.
Batteries, props and the return-to-home height
Most preflight failures that end with a damaged aircraft are small: a nicked propeller, a battery that was not fully seated or had started to swell, a home point recorded before the GPS settled, or a return-to-home height lower than the tree line. The checklist puts each of those on its own line so none is skipped, and asks for the return-to-home height as a number so the reader can compare it with the tallest obstacle you noted.
Go, no-go, and the record after landing
The decision is its own question: go, go with limits (lower ceiling, shorter range, a smaller area), or no-go with the reason. The pilot signs it. If the flight went ahead, the last section records takeoff and landing times, the number of flights, each battery with its cycle count and condition afterwards, and anything unusual, such as a lost link, a forced landing or damage. A swollen battery or an incident becomes a finding, so it reaches whoever maintains the fleet.
Common questions
Do I need a new preflight checklist for every flight?
Many pilots fill in one checklist per site visit and repeat the aircraft and battery checks before each takeoff. Use the post-flight section to log every flight and battery used on the visit. If the site, the weather or the aircraft changes, start a new checklist.
Does this checklist make my flight legal?
No. It records what the pilot checked and decided. Whether a flight is allowed depends on your country's rules, the airspace, the type of operation and any authorization or waiver you hold. Check those before flying.
What wind speed is too much for a drone?
It depends on the aircraft and the pilot. Most makers publish a maximum wind resistance, and many pilots set a lower personal limit, especially for gusts. Record the sustained wind and the gusts, then answer whether they are within both.
What is the visual observer for?
A visual observer helps the pilot keep the aircraft in sight and watches for other aircraft, people and obstacles. Some operations require one; many pilots use one whenever the site is busy. The form names the observer and records that pilot and observer agreed how they will talk.
Can I use this with a drone roof inspection report?
Yes. This checklist covers the flight itself. The findings about the roof go on a separate inspection report, so the client sees the roof and your records keep the flight.