Start Routine (Check list)

Paul215 · Jan 25, 2019

Hi guys,
I want to glue a small check list in my spark case to prevent failures and flyaways. I would like to hear if you have some important points to add or modifications on my list.

Restart mobile
Airplane-mode (friends too)
Turn off smartwatch
Unfold Spark props
Start Remote
Start spark
Connect OTG - cabel (or wifi)
Start Go4
Check Compass
Wait for strong GPS
Homepoint set??
Take off
Fly just upwards until 7m (precision landing)
Hover for around 30s
Have fun

lmel2005 · Jan 25, 2019

Don't forget to take off all your clothes, and use some gloves.

I'm joking. It's a very good list.
I would only add, remove gimbal protection (I use it while spark is in its case).

Andre Levite · Jan 25, 2019

Paul215 said:
Hi guys,
I want to glue a small check list in my spark case to prevent failures and flyaways. I would like to hear if you have some important points to add or modifications on my list.

Restart mobile
Airplane-mode (friends too)
Turn off smartwatch
Unfold Spark props
Start Remote
Start spark
Connect OTG - cabel (or wifi)
Start Go4
Check Compass
Wait for strong GPS
Homepoint set??
Take off
Fly just upwards until 7m (precision landing)
Hover for around 30s
Have fun

My checklist is almost identical.

I've added before takeoff:
Attach ND or polarising filter
Confirm SD card inserted
Turn up device Brightness 100%
Turn up device Volume 100%
Set manual WB (sunny/cloudy)
Set manual shutter speed

It all becomes reflexive with regular flying but easy to forget a step if it's been a while. Cheers!

Spark 317 · Jan 25, 2019

I put a list on the edges of my mini4.

The left hand and lower right side is a conversion chart for metric / U.S. units.

The top right is my preflight checklist.

Roy Talangbayan · Jan 25, 2019

I think you missed the most important, check KP index and wind speed at different altitudes.

Andre Levite · Jan 25, 2019

Roy Talangbayan said:
I think you missed the most important, check KP index and wind speed at different altitudes.

I check wind and KP before I even leave the house. No wasted trips with UAV Forecast app

Pre-pre-flight?

Spark 317 · Jan 25, 2019

Spark 317 said:
Fist item on the list. UAV FORECAST.

No sense getting ready to fly if the conditions are not good.

Oops. Sorry Roy Talangbayan.

I thought you were referring to my post.

Barbara · Jan 25, 2019

I laminated my checklist and it lives with my spark.

Andre, thanks for the tip on UAV forecast. Another useful tool.

Paul215 · Jan 25, 2019

Hey thanks for all the hints! I will add them to my list! Here is my check list 2.0:

Pre-Pre-flight

Check UAV Forecast (wind, KP)
SD-Card on board?
Battery loaded?

Spark Check:
SD-Card?
Remove Gimbal protection
Unfold props
Attach filters

Phone/tablet check:
Restart phone
Airplane mode
Check for other interference sources (smartwatch, friends mobile)
Brightness 100%
Volume 100%

Starting process:
Turn on remote, then spark
Connect everything
Check Compass
Wait for strong GPS
Homepoint set?
Take off
Fly just upwards until 7m (precision landing)
Hover for around 30s
Go sparking

Maybe some will say the list is fussy

Normally I remember the most of the thinks when I go flying. But last flight I was with some colleagues (was nervous) and made many mistakes. Wish I had a list at this moment...

Paul215 · Jan 25, 2019

Spark 317 said:
I put a list on the edges of my mini4.

The left hand and lower right side is a conversion chart for metric / U.S. units.

The top right is my preflight checklist.

View attachment 8486

Great idea with the ipad! What is the reason for the conversion chart? Units in Go4 not changeable?

DAN PORAT · Jan 25, 2019

Paul215 said:
Hi guys,
I want to glue a small check list in my spark case to prevent failures and flyaways. I would like to hear if you have some important points to add or modifications on my list.

Restart mobile
Airplane-mode (friends too)
Turn off smartwatch
Unfold Spark props
Start Remote
Start spark
Connect OTG - cabel (or wifi)
Start Go4
Check Compass
Wait for strong GPS
Homepoint set??
Take off
Fly just upwards until 7m (precision landing)
Hover for around 30s
Have fun

I turn off bluetooth and wifi...........and airplane mode off....
and it works... is that proper and correct?

Spark 317 · Jan 25, 2019

Paul215 said:
Great idea with the ipad! What is the reason for the conversion chart? Units in Go4 not changeable?

Some are, but not all, at the time I made the list.

I think some improvements have been made with past updates by showing the conversion in parentheses.

lmel2005 · Jan 25, 2019

Great ideas and great list.

I must add the sunshade I bought a few days before, because here sun is very strong, and iPad has a limited brightness.

And as Andre said, don't forget to check UAV Forecast, before even leave for a flight.

Does anyone have used the "DJI pre flight checklist" app?

McCloudSpark · Jan 26, 2019

Great list!
It seems like a good habit to also make sure the battery is well latched and install the battery clip if you have one.
I also routinely inspect the props.

SPARK1 · Jan 26, 2019

DAN PORAT said:
I turn off bluetooth and wifi...........and airplane mode off....
and it works... is that proper and correct?

My phone is an Android device.... When I put it in airplane mode it automatically turns off everything including Bluetooth and wifi. Of course you need wifi on to connect your rc

maumau · Jan 28, 2019

Paul215 said:
Hey thanks for all the hints! I will add them to my list! Here is my check list 2.0:

Pre-Pre-flight
Check UAV Forecast (wind, KP)
SD-Card on board?
Battery loaded?

Spark Check:
SD-Card?
Remove Gimbal protection
Unfold props
Attach filters

Phone/tablet check:
Restart phone
Airplane mode
Check for other interference sources (smartwatch, friends mobile)
Brightness 100%
Volume 100%

Starting process:
Turn on remote, then spark
Connect everything
Check Compass
Wait for strong GPS
Homepoint set?
Take off
Fly just upwards until 7m (precision landing)
Hover for around 30s
Go sparking

Maybe some will say the list is fussy Normally I remember the most of the thinks when I go flying. But last flight I was with some colleagues (was nervous) and made many mistakes. Wish I had a list at this moment...

Hi. I think you forgot one of the most important pre-check. That's altitude setting for RTH according to your PRESENT environment. I found myself in very scarry situation where standard 30m was not enough...
For almost all the rest the plane warns you, but not for this one...

Paul215 · Jan 28, 2019

maumau said:
Hi. I think you forgot one of the most important pre-check. That's altitude setting for RTH according to your PRESENT environment. I found myself in very scarry situation where standard 30m was not enough...
For almost all the rest the plane warns you, but not for this one...

Jep you are right! I will add it, too. Thank you!

Paul215 · Feb 1, 2019

We had great weather yesterday so I went flying. First time with new checklist and also tried precision landing for the first time. I startet from a helipad, go to 7m, hover 20s and then start flying. When my battery reached 40% I hit RTH. Sparky first went to RTH altitude and then came back. But in the beginning of landing it was around 2m aside the helipad. After reaching the VPS altitude sparky start to correct itself and landed perfekt in the inner circle of the pad.... Awesome!

Barbara · Feb 1, 2019

Paul215 said:
We had great weather yesterday so I went flying. First time with new checklist and also tried precision landing for the first time. I startet from a helipad, go to 7m, hover 20s and then start flying. When my battery reached 40% I hit RTH. Sparky first went to RTH altitude and then came back. But in the beginning of landing it was around 2m aside the helipad. After reaching the VPS altitude sparky start to correct itself and landed perfekt in the inner circle of the pad.... Awesome!

It's great when things work as advertised