Essential Drone Safety Practices Every Pilot Should Know
Mastering Pre-Flight Checklists and Emergency Procedures for Safe Drone Operations
Drones are amazing feats of technology. Built to perform a variety of tasks from photography to LiDAR mapping, to agricultural spraying, drones are revolutionizing industries across the world. While their complex inner workings are made from highly advanced technology, like all technology, there is an undeniable possibility of failure or malfunction. We have all encountered exasperating technological glitches at the most inopportune moments: the Wi-Fi disconnecting just as you’re about to join a crucial virtual interview, or your phone running out of storage space right when you need to capture a memorable photo because you opted for the cheaper model, you know, the usual stuff.
We are used to dealing with technological hiccups, and most of the time, these everyday interferences have very few if any actual life-endangering consequences. Drones on the other hand are heavy flying machines through the air at a considerable speed - they can cause some damage when things go wrong. And not only can drones be prone to internal failures, but external variables like radio interference, weather, or terrain, which we encounter frequently can cause drones to fail as well.
A rogue micro drone, under 250g, might not be the biggest threat to people or other aircraft when on the loose. That’s about the weight of a tub of herb and garlic cream cheese which might not cause too much damage, but is still something I would still avoid if thrown at me. On the other hand, a DJI Matrice 300, weighing in at 6.3kg with one downward gimbal and two batteries can cause some serious problems if out of control. That’s about the size of a vacuum cleaner, or 6 pineapples, both things I would definitely like not to be thrown at me. Not to mention the widespread destruction they could cause if they collided with another aircraft like a helicopter or airplane.
DJI M300 after an unfortunate run in with a tree.
Pre-Flight Planning
Luckily, there are emergency procedures and safety practices in place that all pilots should be aware of to help mitigate potentially disastrous situations, whether they’re flying micro drones or not. This being said the best way to stay safe while flying is to avoid having to apply emergency procedures at all. This is likely why Transport Canada requires drone pilots to go through testing and recommends that pilots attend a drone flight school - like FlySmart. Becoming educated on Canadian airspace rules and regulations and becoming familiar with your drone before flying your first mission is the best way to ensure that things go smoothly and that you won’t need to resort to your emergency procedures.
Besides educating yourself on local rules, becoming familiar with the drone itself, and adhering to the regulations established by Transport Canada, one of the best ways to mitigate risk during your flight is to conduct a pre-flight checklist. A pre-flight checklist is a thorough examination of all your equipment and your environment. By checking your drone for damage, wear, and proper function, you’ll be able to address potential issues before they become critical during flight. For example, verifying that propellers are intact and securely fastened can prevent in-flight failures that might lead to crashes. By systematically verifying all safety measures—such as confirming a strong GPS signal, setting return-to-home (RTH) functions, and ensuring proper calibration of sensors— this will significantly reduce the chances of accidents. This proactive approach helps prevent loss of control, flyaways, and collisions.
Other things that should be included on your checklist are weather conditions, assessing takeoff and landing areas, and being aware of obstacles like trees, power lines, and buildings. By understanding the environment better, you can make informed decisions and avoid dangerous situations. Doing these checks before every flight will make sure you never forget something crucial, even our most expert pilots do these checks each time they fly. In the outdoor industry, there is a phenomenon known as the Expert Halo, where individuals with years of experience in a certain field are viewed as infallible experts. However, in reality, it is sometimes those who are most comfortable in their domain who tend to overlook small details, as their high level of familiarity with various situations can lead to overconfidence. It is important to try and mitigate this and checklists can help.
Emergency Procedures
In a situation where you’ve done the checklist, you’ve double-checked everything, it’s all systems go, things can still go wrong. No matter how much you prepare for a drone mission, it’s important to be as equally prepared to deal with failure and emergency situations. One thing we always recommend to students in our courses, and a practice our pilots at Hummingbird consistently follow, is to keep printed emergency procedures readily accessible. We're not saying you shouldn't memorize these procedures or become familiar with them—because you absolutely should. But it’s also acceptable to assume that in a stressful situation where your very expensive drone is about to crash into a tree, your brain might not be operating at 100% capacity, and having the emergency procedures available to quickly refer to might mean the difference between a crashed drone and an emergency landing.
All emergency procedures have a few requirements that you must follow. If you’re operating in controlled airspace and you lose control of the aircraft, you are required to inform Air Traffic Control (ATC) or Flight Service Station (FSS) at the closest air traffic unit. This means you need to know the phone number of the closest airport or control tower so you can call them in emergency situations.
The second requirement is mandatory actions that every emergency procedure MUST include. The mandatory actions are:
Stop operations and land the aircraft
Perform an analysis of what caused the situation
Identify changes needed to mitigate a recurrence
Perform those changes prior to returning to flight
Document the mandatory action in your maintenance log
Keeping radio line of sight is crucial!
There are 6 main types of failures that you might experience as a drone pilot.
Control station failure
A control station failure is when your remote controller fails in whatever manner. Maybe you lose video feed or maybe the controller dies, and you end up losing control of the drone. These failures can happen for a variety of reasons.
Remote controller battery is depleted
Viewing device battery depleted
Faulty connection cable between controller and viewing device
DJI Fly App failure
If something goes wrong with your control station, these are the steps you should follow to try and remedy the situation:
Attempt to regain control of the RPA:
Check/change the flight mode
Cycle power of control station (aka the classic advice you give to your grandparents when their iPad isn’t working - turn if off and back on again)
Restart software/app
Connect device to a power source if needed
Move to a location where the controller signal can reach the drone
Ensure landing site is clear
Maintain visual contact with RPA until landed
Recover RPA
Inform ATC if in controlled airspace
Perform mandatory action requirements
Note required details in maintenance log.
Equipment failure
There are too many possible reasons to list here for equipment failure but some of the most likely culprits are:
Battery issues
Environmental issues or interference
Poor care or maintenance - this is in your control!
If you are experiencing equipment failure, these are the steps you should take:
Ensuring the landing site is clear
Maintain visual contact with the RPA until landed
Recover the RPA
Perform mandatory action requirements
Note required details in maintenance log.
Note: it is best practice to understand what equipment failures require grounding vs what is safe to operate without. Establish a manufacturer-advised minimum list is goo practice.
RPA failure
You’ve lost radio connection or your batteries died and your drone is likely going to fall out of the sky. Some common causes for RPA failures are:
Battery issues
Compass not calibrated
IMU failure
Steps you should take when experiencing an RPA failure:
Alert people in the potential crash zone
Attempt to regain control of the RPA
Tr to ensure crash zone is clear
Maintain visual contact with RPA until grounded
Recover RPA
Inform ATC, if in controlled airspace
Perform mandatory action requirements
Note required details in maintenance log
Lost link
The most likely cause of a lost link are:
Aircraft flying out of range or behind obstacle
Radio interference
If link is not re-established within 11 seconds, the aircraft will automatically execute the return-to-home (RTH) function. The aircraft will ascend to a preset altitude and fly back to it’s last record home point. It is vitally important that you consider the necessary altitude for a safe RTH before every flight. Remember, the safety of your aircraft AND other airspace users may be at risk.
Steps to follow in the event of a lost link:
Attempt to regain control of the RPA:
Move closer / reverse course
Re-orient antenna
Check / change flight mode
Check / exchange cable
Restart software / app
Cycle power of control station
Activate return-to-home
Ensure landing site is clear
Maintain visual contact with RPA until landed but if unable to reconnect - follow fly away procedure
Recover RPA
Inform ATC if in controlled airspace
Perform mandatory action requirements
Note required details in maintenance log
Flyaway
If your aircraft losses link and does not automatically carry out expected failsafe actions like RTH or descent in place fly away procedures should be initiated. Your aircraft may create a hazard to other airspace users. If this is possible contact the nearest airport or Flight Information Centre to report the fly away.
Steps to follow in the event of a fly away:
Attempt to regain control of the RPA:
Activate return to home (RTH)
Check / change flight mode
Restart software / app
Cycle power control station
Ensure landing site is clear
If unable to regain control:
Activate Flight Terminate System
Advise aerodrome or Aera Control Centre
RPA location (latitude / longitude)
Direction (magnetic bearing)
Altitude (ASL)
Remaining batter life / flight time
If possible, alert people in potential crash zone
If possible, recover RPA
Perform mandatory action requirements
Note required details in maintenance log.
Flight termination system
No pilot shall operate an RPAS unless the flight termination procedures are available to all crew members. When can the pilot or crew use a flight termination system (FTS)? Only if system activation will not endanger, or is likely to endanger, aviation safety or the safety of any person. FTS must be included in crew briefings.
Flight Termination System steps (this procedure may be supplemented with a parachute or other recovery system:
If possible, alert people in the potential crash zone
Try to ensure crash zone is clear
Activate the FTS - only if doing so will not endanger aviation safety or safety of persons on the ground
Maintain visual contact with RPA until grounded
Recover RPA
Inform ATC, if in controlled airspace.
Perform mandatory action requirements
Note required details in maintenance log
Flying drones is an incredible blend of technology and adventure, but with great power comes great responsibility. We've all dealt with tech glitches in everyday life, but when it comes to drones, the stakes are much higher. These are sophisticated machines that require both respect and careful handling.
To recap, the essential safety practices for drone pilots include:
Pre-Flight Planning: Conduct a thorough pre-flight checklist, including inspecting equipment, assessing weather conditions, and identifying potential obstacles. This preparation helps prevent common failures and ensures a safe flight environment. And remember, even the most experienced pilots can benefit from these checks. Overconfidence is the enemy of safety.
Emergency Procedures: Familiarize yourself with and keep printed copies of emergency procedures. Know the steps to take in the event of control station failure, equipment failure, RPA failure, lost link, flyaway, and how to activate the Flight Termination System (FTS) if necessary.
Mandatory Actions: Always follow the mandatory actions in case of an emergency, such as stopping operations, analyzing the cause, implementing changes to prevent recurrence, and documenting everything in your maintenance log.
Remember, the best way to ensure safety is to avoid emergencies through diligent preparation and continuous education. Stay updated with the latest regulations, advancements in drone technology, and always prioritize safety over convenience. By adhering to these practices, you not only protect your equipment but also ensure the safety of people, property, and other airspace users.
Additional Tips for Drone Safety:
Regular Maintenance: Regularly maintain and update your drone to ensure all components are functioning correctly. This includes firmware updates, battery checks, and inspecting moving parts for wear and tear.
Training and Certification: Enroll in FlySmart’s training programs and obtain necessary certifications to enhance your knowledge and skills. This not only makes you a better pilot but also ensures compliance with regulatory bodies like Transport Canada. At FlySmart Training, we not only go above and beyond the standards set by Transport Canada, but make sure you have continuous support throughout your whole drone journey. From taking the drone out of the box for the first time, to getting your Advanced license, to finally flying your first mission, FlySmart is with you every step of the way.
So, as you embark on your next aerial adventure, keep these safety practices at the forefront. Fly with confidence, but always be prepared for the unexpected. Your drone is an incredible tool, and with the right precautions, you can explore the skies safely and responsibly.
Happy and safe flying!
