RC Preflight Checklist: Before and After Every Flight

At home, before you leave

• Charge flight packs on the day, or the evening before. Charge the transmitter and any receiver packs too.
• Check the weather and wind forecast for the field.
• Drones: check airspace and get any authorization you need.
• Pack spare props or blades, the tools for your models, a LiPo bag and a way to check pack voltage.

At the field: the preflight checklist

Do it in the same order every time. A checklist only works if it is boring.

1. Radio: correct model memory selected, switches and trims in their normal positions, throttle low or throttle cut on, transmitter battery healthy.
2. Flight pack: fully charged and balanced, no puffing, dents or damaged leads, strapped in securely, connectors fully seated.
3. Receiver power: receiver pack or BEC voltage OK. Critical for gliders and fuelled models on separate receiver packs.
4. Props and blades: tight, undamaged, balanced, and the right way round. Helis: blade grips and main and tail blades secure.
5. Airframe: wings, canopy and hatches secure; linkages, clevises and their keepers, servo arms and hinges all tight; no new cracks.
6. CG: balance point correct with the pack you are actually flying, in the position you actually fly it.
7. Control check: every surface moves the right direction with the right throws. Helis: swash and tail. Quads: modes and arming switch behave as expected.
8. Stabilization: gyro or flight controller corrects in the right direction (tilt the model and watch the surfaces).
9. Failsafe: set to cut the motor (or return home or land on GPS drones, per your setup) and tested by switching the transmitter off with the model restrained or props removed.
10. Range check: your radio's reduced-power range test at the start of the day, and after any crash, repair or receiver change.
11. Field: frequency board or pin used if your field has one, flight line and pits respected, people clear, a spotter if you need one.
12. Timer set. Then fly.

Model-specific extras

• Helicopters: throttle hold on until you are ready to spool up; tail gyro direction checked; head and tail free of slop.
• Gliders: tow hook or winch line checked; ballast secured; receiver pack voltage checked before every launch.
• Drones and FPV: props on the correct motors; GPS lock and home point set before takeoff; video channel and power set, goggles on the right channel.
• Nitro and gas: fuel tank and lines leak-free; glow plug or ignition working; reliable idle; kill switch or throttle cut tested.

After every flight

• Disconnect the pack before anything else.
• Feel the pack and motor. Warm is normal; too hot to hold comfortably means you are pushing it too hard or something is wrong.
• Check resting voltage. If you landed right, a LiPo should rest around 3.70 V per cell.
• Look over props, blades, landing gear and linkages for anything loose or damaged.
• Log the flight: model, pack, time and whether it was good or a crash, plus a note if anything felt off.
• After a crash: inspect everything, mark the model as needing repair, and do a range check and full preflight before it flies again.

End of the day

Storage-charge any pack you won't fly within a few days, charge the transmitter and receiver packs, and write down any maintenance the day turned up. It's easier to order parts on Sunday night than to discover the problem on Saturday morning.

RC Flight Log keeps this part painless: logging a flight takes two taps, a crash marks the model 'Needs repair' and adds it to your tasks, and packs left sitting charged get a storage reminder.