FREE Drone Checklist

[Ron HS600]

Hello to my fellow Holy Stone Drones community members! I've never flown a drone and have just purchased the HS600. I've flown it successfully a few times now and am enjoying it a lot! I'm also a private pilot. We always use a checklist to prepare for each phase of flight so naturally I was inclined to prepare a checklist for my HS600.

My checklist was developed specifically for the HS600, but you can easily use it to prepare a checklist that is specific to your model.

I would greatly appreciate any constructive feedback and suggestions. And hope that you and the members of this forum can benefit from this two page checklist! I'll incorporate your good ideas and keep it available for your enjoyment. Let me know if you find it helpful.

(Uploaded revision with minor corrections and improvements 09/28/2024 based on feedback.)
Thanks, -Ron

 

[phph001]

I'm impressed. For the benefit of beginners I would add a paragraph:
Flight plans
1. Launch, wait 10 seconds, RTH
2. Launch, fly forwards 10 yards, RTH
3. Launch, fly forwards 10 yards, fly backwards 10 yards, RTH
4. Launch, fly forwards 10 yards, fly backwards 10 yards, manual landing
5. etc. Further plans include rotating, flying sideways, each additional task being introduced ONE AT A TIME.
You do not explore the limits of drone capability on the first flight.

 

[ZarroB]

That's quite comprehensive. Good job.

A couple of other "pilot" things:
- Check your app that provides restrictions (if any) for your location. Especially altitude restrictions.
- I usually check my local airport winds for direction and speed (esp gusts). The automated phone service works quite well for that. I don't usually pay a lot of attention to ceiling and visibility, unless it looks like it could be an issue that day.

A couple of things I look for, flying DJI:
- Once the drone is powered and in takeoff location, I pause to hear the "Home Point Updated" announcement. so I know if I use RTH, it won't fly off to some previous location. It usually comes about the time I am checking the number of GPS satellites being reported, so that works well.
- Related, but I saw a video that claimed you needed to climb straight up after takeoff to at least 23' to provide the downward sensors a good updated view of the landing spot in order to allow auto landings. I don't recall seeing this is the DJI manual, but have been doing this and the auto landings have been excellent. I think I have had, maybe, one in which I had to finish the landing manually.

 

[Ron HS600]

I checked with HS Support and they confirmed that climbing to 23' to provide a downward view of the landing location is NOT needed for the HS600 as it does not acquire such an image for RTH purposes. I suspect that this is a dji procedure.

 

[rudyjoe]

I'm impressed. For the benefit of beginners I would add a paragraph:
Flight plans
1. Launch, wait 10 seconds, RTH
2. Launch, fly forwards 10 yards, RTH
3. Launch, fly forwards 10 yards, fly backwards 10 yards, RTH
4. Launch, fly forwards 10 yards, fly backwards 10 yards, manual landing
5. etc. Further plans include rotating, flying sideways, each additional task being introduced ONE AT A TIME.
You do not explore the limits of drone capability on the first flight.

Thats a good idea! And exactly what i will do. I'm looking to get very familiar with handling this little guy til i'm comfortable and confident. I sure don't want to crash or lose this investment if i can help it! Thanks