What I Check
Before Every Flight
I used to carry this in my head. Now it's written down, printable, and ready to go in your case. Tell me where to send it.
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Five phases. Home to the last battery.
Before I leave home
Space weather, wind and gusts, firmware, cold mornings.
At the site
The walk, my takeoff spot, the crew.
Before the motors start
Everything that can come loose, props, batteries, controller.
In the air
Corners and the battery margin I keep.
Every battery swap
The same walk-around, every single time.
I'm Gus. I fly drones on building facades in Ontario.
Most of my flying happens a few metres from glass, balconies and people. A heavy drone working close to a wall, a crew on the ground, and wind that changes at every corner of the building. There's not a lot of room for "I'll check it later."
This season didn't start smooth. A gust at a corner. A rough landing. A controller I should've checked twice. Each one cost me money and left me with a rule. Those rules are this list.
I fly construction sites too, and the same habits keep me, the crew and the drone out of trouble there.
I share a new lesson on Instagram every week. If you check something I don't, tell me. I read every message.
Keep it in the case.
Send me the checklistThis is my own practice from commercial jobs, not regulatory advice. Follow Transport Canada rules and your manufacturer's guidance.