Lesson Objective:

By the end of this lesson, students will understand how to properly care for their drone and fly safely—preventing crashes, reducing repair costs, and ensuring professional, incident-free operations.

Lesson Overview:

Your drone is your business partner in the sky. If you want it to perform at its best and avoid costly downtime, you need a maintenance and safety routine. In this lesson, we’ll cover pre-flight checks, in-flight safety habits, post-flight procedures, and long-term maintenance best practices.

LESSON

Part 1: Pre-Flight Checklist

Before you take off, always review these basics:

Charge all batteries (drone, controller, phone/tablet) Inspect propellers for cracks, chips, or looseness Clean camera lens and gimbal Format SD card Check for firmware updates Calibrate compass and IMU if required Review airspace (check for restrictions using apps like B4UFLY or AirMap) Verify GPS lock and home point Confirm weather conditions (wind, visibility, rain)

Pro Tip: Use a printed or app-based pre-flight checklist to avoid forgetting critical steps.

Part 2: In-Flight Safety Habits

Stay sharp in the sky with these best practices:

Maintain line of sight at all times
Fly below 400 feet AGL (as required by FAA in the U.S.)
Avoid flying over people, traffic, or private property without permission
Keep your finger near the Return-to-Home (RTH) button
Monitor battery levels — begin return no later than 30% remaining
Watch out for birds, power lines, and signal interference
Keep clear of magnetic interference (metal roofs, antennas)

Part 3: Post-Flight Care

After every flight session:

Power down drone and controller before removing batteries
Let batteries cool before recharging
Wipe down the drone to remove dust or moisture
Check for firmware or log errors
Store in a dry, temperature-controlled place
Back up footage to external drive or cloud

Part 4: Routine Maintenance Tips

Regular checks = long-lasting gear. Here’s what to inspect weekly or monthly:

Task	Frequency
Clean gimbal & camera lens	Every flight
Inspect propellers	Weekly or after crash/rough landing
Update firmware	Monthly or as released
Calibrate compass/IMU	As needed
Check motor rotation & noise	Weekly
Battery health & swelling	Monthly

Battery Tip: Store LiPo batteries at 40–60% charge if unused for more than a few days to extend lifespan.

Top 5 Mistakes That Lead to Crashes or Failures

Flying with damaged propellers
Ignoring firmware updates
Relying solely on obstacle avoidance
Flying in poor weather or low light without visibility
Pushing battery limits below safe thresholds

Lesson Activity: Build Your Pre/Post Flight Checklist

Create a checklist in your journal, phone, or preferred app that includes:

Pre-flight prep
In-flight safety reminders
Post-flight care steps

Then, use this checklist for every flight session for the next 30 days.

Key Takeaways:

Proper drone care protects your investment and reputation.
Pre- and post-flight routines prevent accidents and ensure quality.
Safety awareness builds confidence—and keeps you flying legally and professionally.

Drone Maintenance & Safety Tips for Reliable Flights

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