One of the things that my training talked about leading up to getting my certification, was the importance of a pre-flight checklist. I’ve seen a team realize too late they didn’t have an SD card and I’ve seen a pilot who couldn’t fly because they didn’t make sure their firmware was updated.
To keep your crew organized and legally compliant, here is a standardized pre-flight checklist designed specifically for student media. Feel free to tweak this as you and your team see fit or check out other pre-flight checklists out there and develop your own.
Once yours is set, print it out, laminate it, and keep it in the drone case.
SAMPLE DRONE PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST
Phase 1: In the Journalism Room (1-2 Hours Before Liftoff)
Don’t wait until you are outside to discover a technical issue.
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[ ] Firmware Check: Power on the drone and the controller while connected to the school Wi-Fi. Install any required firmware or airspace database updates. If your school WiFi blocks the done connection, make sure to perform this at home before going to school or going on assignment.
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[ ] Battery Verification: Ensure all drone batteries and the controller are charged to 100%. (Check your anti-collision strobe light battery, too)
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[ ] Media Prep: Insert the primary MicroSD card into the drone and format it. Pack a spare SD card in the carrying case.
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[ ] Lens Wipe: Clean the camera lens and sensor sensors with a microfiber cloth.
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[ ] Airspace Check: Pre-file your LAANC authorization if your location requires it, securing your approval code before you lose Wi-Fi.
Phase 2: On-Site Physical Inspection (15 Minutes Before Liftoff)
Once you arrive at the stadium or event space, physically prepare the aircraft.
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[ ] Wind & Weather Monitoring: Check the UAV Forecast app. Ensure wind gusts at your cruising altitude do not exceed the safe operating limits of your specific aircraft.
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[ ] Propeller Inspection: Run your fingers along the edges of all propellers to check for chips, cracks, or warping. Ensure they are locked securely into the motors.
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[ ] Mounting Accessories: If flying a DJI Mini 5 Pro or similar model near people or in low light, securely snap on your propeller guards and mount the anti-collision strobe light. Ensure the strobe does not obstruct the drone’s collision avoidance sensors.
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[ ] Landing Zone Setup: Identify a flat, clear launch/recovery zone away from the main flow of foot traffic.
Phase 3: Software & Controller Check (3 Minutes Before Liftoff)
The final digital sweep before the motors spin up.
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[ ] Compass & IMU: Check the app dashboard. Calibrate the compass if prompted by the controller (especially if you’ve changed locations).
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[ ] Return to Home (RTH) Altitude: Set the RTH altitude at least 50 feet higher than the tallest obstacle in your flight area (like stadium light poles or tall trees).
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[ ] Home Point Updated: Wait for the GPS lock and verify that the app announces, “The Home Point has been updated.” Check the map to ensure the home point is exactly where you are standing.
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[ ] Camera Settings: Lock in your white balance, set your framerate, and verify your exposure before taking off.
When you have a checklist handling the mental load of gear prep, you can focus entirely on composition and communication with your team.
