Field operations

These are adaptable baseline checklists. Add manufacturer-specific items and mission-specific controls. A checklist supports—not replaces—remote PIC judgment.

Mission planning (before travel)

• Name the remote PIC; confirm certificate and knowledge recency.
• Define objective, location, time window, route/area, maximum altitude, payload, crew, and client/site constraints.
• Confirm aircraft registration, marking, Remote ID method, and category eligibility for any operation over people.
• Determine airspace from current aeronautical data; obtain required FAA authorization or waiver and read every condition.
• Check TFRs, NOTAMs, airport/heliport activity, special-use airspace, and nearby emergency/security activity.
• Check forecast and expected wind aloft, gusts, visibility, ceiling, precipitation, temperature, density-altitude effects, and solar/night timing.
• Identify people, roads/moving vehicles, buildings, wires/towers, RF interference, wildlife, launch/recovery areas, and alternate landing sites.
• Define VLOS plan, observer positions, lost-link/RTH altitude and route, battery minimums, geofence behavior, and abort criteria.
• Obtain site/landowner permission and address local restrictions, privacy, insurance, and client requirements.
• Pack aircraft, controller, charged/logged batteries, spares, props/tools, lighting, landing marker, fire response equipment, first aid, and documents.

On-site go/no-go

• Recheck airspace status, authorization, TFRs/NOTAMs, weather, and site changes.
• Remote PIC is fit under IMSAFE; no crew impairment or unsafe distraction.
• Establish takeoff/landing zone and keep nonparticipants clear.
• Brief roles, communications, aircraft callout, sterile periods, manned- aircraft response, lost link, injury/fire response, and abort authority.
• Inspect frame, fasteners, arms, landing gear, motors, props, guards, payload, battery condition/retention, controller, antennas, screen, and cables.
• Verify correct aircraft/profile, firmware/configuration status, storage, home point, GNSS/compass health, control link, battery values, Remote ID, and anti-collision light when required.
• Confirm manufacturer and mission limits; perform control/hover check where safe.
• Final scan: people, traffic, aircraft, obstacles, wind, and escape path.

During flight

• Maintain VLOS and scan for manned aircraft; yield immediately and remain well clear.
• Stay inside altitude, speed, airspace, authorization, weather, and site limits.
• Monitor link, GNSS, battery trend, propulsion warnings, payload, wind drift, crew workload, people/vehicles, and landing-zone integrity.
• Make deliberate battery decisions using distance, wind, temperature, and alternate landing needs—not the displayed percentage alone.
• Abort, land, or relocate when a limit is approached, assumptions fail, the crew loses situational awareness, or safety is uncertain.

Emergency priorities

1. Protect people and other aircraft.
2. Maintain or regain control if practical; execute the briefed contingency.
3. Communicate clearly to crew and affected persons/agencies.
4. Land or terminate the flight in the safest available area.
5. Address injury/fire, secure the site, preserve logs/evidence, notify required parties, and determine whether FAA accident reporting is required.

Do not chase an uncontrolled aircraft in a way that creates a second hazard. For a battery fire or injury, call emergency services when appropriate and tell responders that lithium batteries are involved.

Postflight

• Power down safely; inspect for heat, impact, cracks, prop damage, swelling, contamination, or loose components.
• Quarantine and label damaged batteries/equipment; do not recharge until safe.
• Record date, location, aircraft, remote PIC/crew, flight time, battery, maintenance status, authorization/waiver, anomalies, incidents, and action taken.
• Back up required logs/media securely and follow privacy/data-retention commitments.
• Debrief what changed, what nearly failed, and what must be corrected before reuse.

Compact mission record template

Mission/date/time:
Remote PIC / crew roles:
Aircraft / registration / RID method:
Location / airspace / authorization:
Objective / maximum altitude / operating area:
Weather observed and limits:
People/vehicles/site hazards and mitigations:
Lost-link / RTH / battery abort settings:
Start/end battery and flight time:
Anomalies, maintenance, incident/report decision:
Remote PIC signoff: