Flight Logging and Preflight Checklist

DennisCox · Apr 5, 2015

I have been looking around for a preflight and logging app to use on my IPhone. I haven't had much luck and the ones that I do find are pretty generic.I find it a tad frustrating.

Can anyone suggest or tell me what you use? I am seriously considering writing my own app. One feature I would really like to have is flight planning as well and the ability to print it.

I look forward to everyones input.

If I WAS to write the app and it was geared towards the Inspire-1, what would you want in it?

Merko · Apr 5, 2015

Good idea.

I've thought about making my app myself, but instead use a webpage that fits the iphone\ipad or android devices.

greyhawkimages · Apr 5, 2015

I've put together a preflight checklist and I uploaded it to the app, "Air Plan." The app allows for physically checking things off.

The list works for me although some might think it is overkill. I am tweaking it as I go.

Inspire 1 Pre-flight Checklist

PRE-LOCATION

o Check weather
o Check flight restriction zones
o Cache maps
o Charge batteries
o RC’s
o AC’s
o iPad
o Confirm firmware current
o Check IMU Calibration .99 - 1.01
o Calibrate your IMU if readings are off
o Confirm RC-AC link and “Master” mode
o SD card cleared
o Load Case
o SD Card
o Card Reader
o Batteries
o Charger and cables
o iPad and cables
o Hood
o RC
o AC
o Props

ON LOCATION

o Park car facing the sun
o Check weather
o Wind <20
o Temp >40
o Choose take off and landing zone
o Plan flight route

o Put phone and tablet in airplane mode
o Close ALL apps

o Physical inspection of AC and RC
o Confirm all RC switches are safe
o Power on RC
o Power on AC
o Lower landing gear
o Power off AC
o Power off RC

o Install SD card
o Install correct filters
o Install camera

o Inspect props
o Install props
o Install prop locks
o Tighten

o Confirm all RC switches are safe
o Power on RC
o Power on AC
o Load Pilot app
o Properly position antennae
o Confirm good RC-AC connection

o Set max altitude if needed
o Calibrate compass
o Set IOC if needed
o Set Fail Safe Height
o Check IMU Calibration .99 - 1.01
o Calibrate your IMU if readings are off
o Verify flight mode P/A/F
o Confirm stick mode = 2
o Set video channel to auto

o Set gimbal mode
o Confirm camera settings
o Take and view test photo

o Confirm GPS lock with 6 satellites
o Confirm correct RC and AC positions in satellite map screen
o Record RTH home point

o Safety check
o All battery levels
o Bystanders
o Overhead obstacles

o Record flight start time
o Power motors to warm up
o Liftoff to 6fthover

o Check for steady hover
o Check ascent and descent
o Check yaw
o Check forward and backward
o Check roll

o Landing gear up.

LANDING

o Safety check
o Landing zone clear
o Bystanders

o Lower landing gear
o Motors off
o Stop video recording
o AC off
o RC off

o Phone and iPad out of Airplane Mode

o Record flight stop time
o Complete flight log

DennisCox · Apr 5, 2015

Ok .. This is awesome!

greyhawkimages said:
I've put together a preflight checklist and I uploaded it to the app, "Air Plan." The app allows for physically checking things off.

The list works for me although some might think it is overkill. I am tweaking it as I go.

Inspire 1 Pre-flight Checklist

PRE-LOCATION

o Check weather
o Check flight restriction zones
o Cache maps
o Charge batteries
o RC’s
o AC’s
o iPad
o Confirm firmware current
o Check IMU Calibration .99 - 1.01
o Calibrate your IMU if readings are off
o Confirm RC-AC link and “Master” mode
o SD card cleared
o Load Case
o SD Card
o Card Reader
o Batteries
o Charger and cables
o iPad and cables
o Hood
o RC
o AC
o Props

ON LOCATION

o Park car facing the sun
o Check weather
o Wind <20
o Temp >40
o Choose take off and landing zone
o Plan flight route

o Put phone and tablet in airplane mode
o Close ALL apps

o Physical inspection of AC and RC
o Confirm all RC switches are safe
o Power on RC
o Power on AC
o Lower landing gear
o Power off AC
o Power off RC

o Install SD card
o Install correct filters
o Install camera

o Inspect props
o Install props
o Install prop locks
o Tighten

o Confirm all RC switches are safe
o Power on RC
o Power on AC
o Load Pilot app
o Properly position antennae
o Confirm good RC-AC connection

o Set max altitude if needed
o Calibrate compass
o Set IOC if needed
o Set Fail Safe Height
o Check IMU Calibration .99 - 1.01
o Calibrate your IMU if readings are off
o Verify flight mode P/A/F
o Confirm stick mode = 2
o Set video channel to auto

o Set gimbal mode
o Confirm camera settings
o Take and view test photo

o Confirm GPS lock with 6 satellites
o Confirm correct RC and AC positions in satellite map screen
o Record RTH home point

o Safety check
o All battery levels
o Bystanders
o Overhead obstacles

o Record flight start time
o Power motors to warm up
o Liftoff to 6fthover

o Check for steady hover
o Check ascent and descent
o Check yaw
o Check forward and backward
o Check roll

o Landing gear up.

LANDING

o Safety check
o Landing zone clear
o Bystanders

o Lower landing gear
o Motors off
o Stop video recording
o AC off
o RC off

o Phone and iPad out of Airplane Mode

o Record flight stop time
o Complete flight log

pops52 · Apr 5, 2015

Can't find the app "air plan." is it an ios app? You have a great list and I'd like to get it into some sort of app as well.

Thanks

greyhawkimages · Apr 5, 2015

pops52 said:
Can't find the app "air plan." is it an ios app? You have a great list and I'd like to get it into some sort of app as well.

Thanks

Air Plan is an iOS iPad app.

pops52 · Apr 6, 2015

Found it, thanks. (I was searching in the iPhone section only.) In reading the description, I did not see anything about being able to import a file to it. Did you have to type your list into Air Plan, or were you able to import it? (Thanks, in advance.)

greyhawkimages · Apr 6, 2015

I had to type it in.....well, cut and paste it. I like the app. It's doing everything I want right now and a few things I'm not interested in. I'm using those features in the event I need the data. I'm even using it to log sim time.

Jason Schiffner · Jul 30, 2015

Hey guys. I made a very thorough checklist that covers everything. Plus it has checkboxes that light up. Once everything has been checked, then it tells you its good to fly. It's a pretty good checklist that alot of people are using now. http://www.dronefrontier.com/inspire1checklist/

3dPico · Oct 1, 2015

Thank you Jason, this is perfect! I think this should be a sticky.

JayHart · Dec 19, 2016

Very late to this post but I really enjoy the checklist you put together. Nice Work!

Jason Schiffner said:
Hey guys. I made a very thorough checklist that covers everything. Plus it has checkboxes that light up. Once everything has been checked, then it tells you its good to fly. It's a pretty good checklist that alot of people are using now. http://www.dronefrontier.com/inspire1checklist/

Carl Uttley · Dec 24, 2016

I decided to put my check lists from my flight operations manual into an A6 booklet that I can keep in my flight jacket... it has my equipment checklist, pre-flight checklist, post-flight checklist and also my emergency procedures. Very portable and my observer/payload operator has a copy too...