I've been flying drones, both recreationally and commercially, for over a decade -- and hold a handful of drone licenses and certifications. Over those hundreds of hours of flying, I've yet to lose a drone. Yet, almost daily, I come across stories on social media of people losing their drones. Some drones crash on their first flight, some after months or years of problem-free service.
I attribute my success, luck, and good fortune in part to experience, but mostly to the fact that I carry out regular safety checks on my drone. A drone is an aircraft, and just as you wouldn't put a plane in the sky that hadn't had safety checks carried out on it, I wouldn't put a drone in the sky without doing the same.
So, what tests should you do, and when?
I have three sets of checks that I do: pre-flight checks, post-flight checks, and checks carried out every two weeks to a month (depending on how often I'm flying… the more I fly, the more often I check).
Why pre-flight and post-flight checks? One set is to catch damage that might have occurred while storing or transporting the drone (and anything I might have missed after the last post-flight check). The post-flight checks are there to catch anything that might have happened during the flight.
The biweekly/monthly checks are there to again take a fresh look at the drone, as well as a deeper look at things like the batteries.
And it's not just looking at the drone. Pre-flight checks take into consideration other things that can affect your drone.
Pre-flight checks
Drone checks
Carefully check the drone for any visible damage to the frame, propellers, or landing gear. You're looking for anything from cracks and chips to bending and seams popping open.
Ensure propellers are securely attached and free of cracks or chips. Propellers are cheap, your drone isn't. Replace them if they show any signs of damage. I always recommend using genuine propellers rather than third-party accessories.
Ensure that all the propeller motors rotate freely.
Check that the battery is fully charged and securely fitted. The last thing you want to happen is for the battery to fall out mid-flight (yes, that does happen).
Check that the screws holding the propellers are secure.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Controller checks
Check that the controller turns on properly, is fully charged, and that all the control sticks move smoothly. If you get any error messages--such as the drone needing a compass calibration, IMU, or the controller needing calibration--carry these out before flying (the drone's control will guide you through the appropriate steps).
Weather
Check the local forecast for the possibility of high winds exceeding your drone's wind resistance rating and for rain. Most consumer drones have a Level 5 wind resistance, which means they can handle wind speeds up to 24 mph (check your user manual or manufacturer's website to find out your drone's wind resistance).
Location
Post-flight checks
Dry off any moisture with a microfiber cloth.
Inspect the drone for damage.
Check the battery for damage, swelling, or overheating (note that drone batteries routinely get hot, but they shouldn't get too hot to the touch).
Clean any dirt off the drone, paying close attention to the propellers, obstacle avoidance sensors, and camera.
Look for new chips or cracks on the propellers.
Keep the obstacle avoidance sensors clean.
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Biweekly/monthly checks
Check the battery charge and top it up to around 50-60% if needed, the ideal amount for medium- to long-term storage.
Carefully check all propellers for damage. Replace any propellers that have chips, scratches, or show signs of wear, no matter how minor, as this can seriously affect flight stability.
Clean dirt off the drone, paying close attention to the sensors and camera.