I'm working on a APM pre-flight checklist. Here is what I have so far. What would you add? How would you change the order?
ArduPilot Mega Drone Pre-flight Checklist
-
- battery voltage
- motor disconnected - power ON
- switch APM to test mode
- run planner - enter terminal mode
- radio setup / test
- verify senors - gyros, IMU
- load way points verify HOME location
- verify PID
- switch APM to flight mode
- run ground station
- verify telemetry data
- load flight plan way points
- radio / receiver range check
- check balance
Your should always balance your RC airplane before coming to the flying field. However, it is always a good idea to check the forward/backward balance one more time before the first flight of
each day. Remember that the fuel tank must be empty when checking the
balance. - verify all connections - connect motor
- verify GPS lock and BUTTON UP
- R/C equipment correctly located and fixed (not loose).
- R/C equipment connections OK (this can be visual if you have plugs cable tied or otherwise secured).
- All linkages correctly attached (check clevises etc).
- All flying surfaces correctly and securely attached (for models with removable wings etc).
- All control surfaces correctly attached and unobstructed (elevator / rudder / aileron / undercarriage etc).
- Propeller correctly attached and undamaged.
- Undercarriage correctly attached with free movement of wheels and retracts (where installed).
- Pitot tube clear (where installed).
- Static ports clear (where installed).
- Canopy / hatches secure.
- start engine and tune (gas engine)
It's a good idea to hold your airplane vertically with the nose upward while running your engine at full throttle to make sure it will run when in
this position while in the air. - Manual control - elevator, rudder, aileron's, throttle
Make sure the control surfaces are moving correctly with each stick movement of the transmitter. - switch to each UAV mode. In each, move plane to confirm that the control surfaces are moving correctly when you pitch and roll the plane.
- Clear for takeoff
Replies
Mark's Check List is very good for systems that are proven.
Here is an alternative Check List you might use during system development and evaluation.
(I hope the formatting doesn't get too messed up during the transfer to the discussion.)
UAV APM MISSION CHECK LIST
FLIGHT #
DATE:______ AIRCRAFT: ______________ LOCATION:___________________
TEMP:______ WIND SPEED/DIRECTION: _____/_____ CLOUD COVER:_________
PRE - PRE FLIGHT (HANGER)
APM Version ___________
Planner Version ___________
HK GCS Version ___________
PID .param File Name ___________
WP File Name ___________
NOTE: PROP REMOVED!
[ ] TX and RX Power ON in RC Mode BIND AS REQUIRED
[ ] APM in CLI Mode (Planner -> COM 4 - 115200 -> terminal USB)
[ ] setup > erase > reset > radio
[ ] Remove all LOG files (logs -> erase)
[ ] Verify Mode assignments (setup -> modes)
Switch down ______
Switch mid ______
Switch up ______
[ ] Verify XBees test > xbee Range Test with C-CTU
UN PLUG USB
[ ] APM to Fly Mode - reset - Observe LED sequences - Wait for GCS Lock
Start Mega Planner COM5 - 57600 -> Connect
Planner to Configuration Mode
[ ] Load .para file Write Pads
Planner to Flight Planner Mode
[ ] Planner > Read WPs Verify Correct If not, Load WP file,
Write WPs
Planner to Flight Data Mode
[ ] Verify Connection, Verify Map, Verify Home
[ ] Change Flight Mode from RC to STABILIZE (or FBW A) to AUTO Verify with Flight Data
[ ] Change Mode to STABILIZE or FBW A
[ ] Bank and pitch Aircraft - Verify aircraft control surfaces move in the correct direction
[ ] Change Mode to RC. - Verify proper control surface and throttle RC response
HK GCS PREFLIGHT (If used)
[ ] Cell Phone ON - LapTop WiFi Connected
[ ] Connect COM (COM5) Verify Serial Data
[ ] On Google Earth disp. 'Overhead' 'Set Home'
[ ] Read Waypoints - verify intended flight path
[ ] ON GCS disp. set Home Alt., Zero Yaw
[ ] Go to 'Data File'; Enter File Name _________
MEGA PLANNER If Used)
[ ] Connect COM (COM5) Verify Serial Data
[ ] Flight Mode Verify Map.
[ ] Verify Home position - Set Altitude
AIRCRAFT PRE FLIGHT
[ ] Install Wing - Hook up Pitot tube
[ ] Install Prop
[ ] Check and record flight battery voltage, size: ______/_______
[ ] Verify proper CG
[ ] RC Transmitter set to proper aircraft/model BIND AS REQUIRED
[ ] Verify pitot and static tubes are clear
[ ] Change Mode from RC to STABILIZE to AUTO
- NOTE: THIS WILL CAUSE THE MOTOR TO COME ON WHEN IN AUTO!!
[ ] Change Mode to STABILIZE or FBW A
[ ] Bank and pitch Aircraft - Verify aircraft control surfaces move in the correct direction
[ ] Change Mode to RC. - Verify proper control surface and throttle RC response
[ ] Range Check
[ ] Start GCS Record
[ ] Take off and start timer - Reset GCS timer
POST FLIGHT
[ ] STOP RECORDER
[ ] Record flight battery voltage. ____________
[ ] Record flight time ____________
[ ] Verify and save log files ____________
[ ] Save .param file ____________
MISSION LOG
Aircraft Configuration: ______________________
Aircraft changes since last flight: _________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Payload: ______________________________________________________________
WP File: ________________________________
WP Description: ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Mission Objectives: _____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Flight Data:_____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Post Flight Analysis:_______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Additional Notes: ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
form updated 06/16/11
As a daily pre-flight, this is good. My suggestions as follows:
For the radio checks, perhaps add a failsafe check (where configured).
I would perhaps add some further checks to the airframe such as :
Clearly, inbetween flights on the same day, you will need nothing like the full check-list, but it's a good daily. Should take all of 10 minutes at most to pre-flight and could save you a lot of problems. I am amazed at just how many r/c aircraft pilots do not properly pre-flight.
There is a whole other gamut of checks for helicopters that I would be happy to supply.