# The Ultimate FPV Pre-Flight Checklist: 15 Things to Check Before Every Flight
Most FPV drone failures happen in the first 10 seconds of flight — or they never happen because you caught the problem on the ground. A disciplined pre-flight checklist is the difference between a great flying session and a walk of shame to retrieve a smoking quad.
This 15-point checklist covers everything from battery health to failsafe verification. Run through it before your first flight of the day and a condensed version between packs. It takes 60 seconds and has prevented more crashes than any PID tune ever will.
## Why You Need a Pre-Flight Checklist
Even experienced pilots miss things. When you’re excited to fly, rushing through setup is natural — and that’s exactly when mistakes happen:
| Common Oversight | Consequence | Caught by Checklist? |
|—————–|————-|———————|
| Loose propeller nut | Prop flies off mid-flight → crash | ✅ Step 4 |
| Antenna not connected | VTX burns out in seconds | ✅ Step 6 |
| Wrong battery (discharged) | Quad falls out of sky in 30s | ✅ Step 1 |
| Failsafe not set | Flyaway on signal loss | ✅ Step 14 |
| Loose stack screws | Gyro noise → flyaway or desync | ✅ Step 10 |
| Camera lens cap on | Black screen, crash on takeoff | ✅ Step 8 |
## The Complete 15-Point Checklist
### 1. Battery Check — Voltage and Physical Condition
– Measure voltage with a cell checker: **4.20V per cell = fully charged**.
– Check for puffing, dents, or punctures. If the pack looks swollen, retire it.
– Confirm the balance lead is intact and all cells are within 0.03V of each other.
### 2. Battery Connector and Strap
– Inspect the XT60/XT30 connector for carbon scoring or loose pins.
– Secure the battery with **two** straps, not one. Straps loosen over time.
– Apply a grip pad between the battery and frame (silicone battery pad or grip tape).
### 3. Propeller Inspection
– Check for cracks, chips, or bends. Even a hairline crack grows at 30,000 RPM.
– Verify propeller direction: props-out or props-in as configured in Betaflight.
– Tighten prop nuts — use a nut driver, not just fingers.
### 4. Propeller Nut Tightness
– For 5mm shafts: M5 nylock nut, hand-tight plus 1/8 turn with tool.
– For T-mount props: Two M2 screws per prop, check both.
– Nylock nuts lose grip after ~5 removals. Replace them regularly.
### 5. Frame Integrity
– Inspect each arm for delamination or cracks, especially at the motor mount.
– Check all standoffs and screws — one loose standoff creates vibration through the whole frame.
– Carbon fiber cracks are sometimes invisible. Flex each arm gently and listen for creaking.
### 6. VTX Antenna Check
– Verify the antenna is firmly connected to the VTX (SMA/MMCX/u.FL).
– For SMA connectors: finger-tight plus a tiny extra turn.
– Never power on without an antenna — VTX will burn out in seconds.
### 7. Receiver Antenna Placement
– Both RX antennas should be at 90 degrees to each other (diversity).
– Antennas should not touch carbon fiber directly — use heat shrink or antenna tubes.
– Active elements (the exposed silver part at the tip) should be straight, not bent or kinked.
### 8. Camera Lens Check
– Remove the lens cap (yes, people forget).
– Check for dirt, smudges, or moisture inside the lens housing.
– Verify camera angle is what you expect for this session (racing: 25-35°, freestyle: 15-25°).
### 9. Power On Sequence
1. Turn on radio transmitter FIRST.
2. Ensure throttle is at zero and arming switch is disarmed.
3. Plug in the LiPo.
4. Listen for the ESC startup tones — 3 short beeps + 2 long beeps = normal.
5. If you hear a continuous beeping, something is wrong (usually RX connection).
### 10. Physical Integrity — Shake Test
– Hold the quad firmly and give it a quick shake.
– Listen for rattles, loose hardware, or anything moving that shouldn’t be.
– Check that the battery doesn’t shift when shaken.
### 11. OSD and Video Feed Check
– Put on your goggles and verify clear video.
– Check OSD elements: battery voltage, RSSI/LQ, flight mode, timer.
– Confirm VTX channel and power level are correct for your location.
### 12. Arming and Gyro Check
– Arm the quad briefly on the ground (props spin at idle).
– Check that the quad doesn’t twitch or try to move.
– Disarm and re-check.
### 13. GPS Lock (if equipped)
– Wait for a minimum of 8 satellites before taking off.
– Verify the home point is set (distance from home reads 0m on OSD).
– Confirm GPS Rescue is configured and armed.
### 14. Failsafe Verification
– In the Betaflight Receiver tab, turn off your radio. The channel bars should drop to your failsafe positions.
– Verify the “Failsafe” flag appears in Betaflight when the radio is off.
– Confirm your failsafe action is set to “GPS Rescue” (if equipped) or “Drop.”
### 15. Airspace and Environment Check
– Scan for people, pets, and obstacles in your flying area.
– Check wind conditions — gusts above 20mph make tight freestyle risky.
– Note any new obstacles since your last session (parked cars, construction, etc.).
– Confirm you’re not violating any local drone regulations.
## Quick Pre-Pack Checklist (Between Batteries)
For subsequent packs in the same session, run this condensed checklist (15 seconds):
1. **Battery voltage** — verified full (cell checker)
2. **Props** — quick visual for cracks
3. **Battery strap** — still tight
4. **Camera lens** — clean
5. **Antenna** — still attached and straight
## UAVModel: Pre-Flight Essentials
A proper pre-flight kit includes tools that last. At **uavmodel.com**, you’ll find quality FPV accessories that make pre-flight checks faster and more reliable:
– **Cell checkers and battery testers** for instant voltage verification
– **Nylock prop nuts in bulk** — replace them before they fail
– **Grip pads and battery straps** that hold your pack through the hardest maneuvers
– **Antenna tubes and mounts** to protect your receiver antennas
Invest in good tools once and they’ll save you from hundreds of dollars in crash damage.
## YouTube: FPV Pre-Flight Walkthrough
## Printable Checklist (Copy and Laminate)
Drop this in your flight bag:
“`
☐ 1. Battery: Voltage OK (4.2V/cell), no puffing, balance OK
☐ 2. Connector & strap: XT60 clean, 2 straps tight, grip pad on
☐ 3. Props: No cracks, correct direction installed
☐ 4. Prop nuts: Tight, nylocks in good condition
☐ 5. Frame: Arms crack-free, all standoffs tight
☐ 6. VTX antenna: Securely connected
☐ 7. RX antenna: 90° apart, active elements intact
☐ 8. Camera: Lens cap off, clean, angle set
☐ 9. Power on: Radio ON → LiPo plug-in → ESC tones normal
☐ 10. Shake test: No rattles or shifting
☐ 11. Video: Clear image, OSD elements present
☐ 12. Arm test: Arming OK, no twitching
☐ 13. GPS: 8+ satellites, home point set
☐ 14. Failsafe: Verified, GPS Rescue/drop configured
☐ 15. Airspace: Clear of people, wind OK, regulations OK
“`
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