Choose a suitable location for takeoff and landing. The area should ideally be flat, smooth, spacious, and away from obstacles and people. Surfaces like gravel should be avoided, but if unavoidable, you can use a takeoff pad. Identify and select alternative landing sites in case of emergency landings.
Check the flight area. Are there people, cranes, power lines, trees, or any other potential obstacles for flight? Basic guidelines for the open category, drone A2 (<4 kg), and class C2 state that it must be flown within line of sight, maximum 120 m above ground level, except when flying over an obstacle, within a 30-meter horizontal distance from people (5 meters with activated low-speed mode, i.e., max 3 m/s = 11 km/h) according to the 1:1 rule, meaning if you, for example, fly at a height of 5 meters, you should maintain a horizontal distance of at least 5 meters. Never fly over crowds (gatherings of people where individuals are prevented from moving due to the densely packed crowd).
Check the weather conditions: temperature, wind, fog, cloudiness. Keep in mind that sub-zero temperatures negatively affect batteries. Ensure they are warmed up before starting. Extra knowledge about batteries is often required in sub-zero temperatures - find out how yours work. In humid weather and sub-zero temperatures, ice can form on the propellers, posing a significant risk of failure. Note that wind speed often increases with altitude.
Mark and measure ground control points (GCP).
Set up barriers, signs, or enlist the help of others to maintain safety.
Check battery levels - both the transmitter and the drone should be fully charged for each flight.
Conduct a visual inspection of the drone.
Are there any cracks in the fuselage or looseness in the joints around the folding arms, etc.?
Do the propellers make any unusual sounds when spun with your fingers? Crackling sounds may indicate dirt in the motor bearings and should not be ignored.
Are screws, fasteners, joints, or attachments loose or damaged? Replace if necessary.
Are there any damages or cracks on the propellers? Never fly with damaged propellers.
Are there any loose or damaged cables?
Are there any loose or damaged connections?
Are propeller mounts, screws, and propeller locks secure? (Check to ensure they are tightened.)
Ensure there are no frequency interferences that may affect video and receiver signals and that the memory card (SD card), photo, and video equipment are in place and functioning correctly.
Check the compass - does it need calibration? Follow the manufacturer's instructions, or alternatively, follow this checklist:
Remove watches and other metal objects from your clothes and body.
Turn on the transmitter.
Place the drone outdoors on a non-metallic surface. Power it on.
Wait until at least six satellites are visible in the app or on the transmitter's display.
Start the calibration in the app (if applicable) or via the transmitter.
Set the transmitter aside, stand behind the drone with the camera facing away from you, and then lift the drone and hold it with straight arms.
Rotate clockwise a complete turn at about 5 to 7 seconds.
"Tilt" the drone forward so that the camera points directly downward at the ground. Start a new revolution at the same pace as before.
Lower the drone and ensure that the calibration was successful.
Create a flight route for the drone in the Map Pilot mobile app. The standard settings usually used in ordinary flights are: Flight Altitude: 35-50 m, Overlap: 80/80 minimum, Flight Speed: Max 2 m/s, Battery: Battery Limited.
Start the app and choose to create a new mission by selecting Create New Mission.
Read and accept the terms by pressing OK.
Locate the area on the satellite map that you will fly over.
Create a flight area by clicking points with a single click outside each corner.
When an area is correct, select the direction the drone should have by double-clicking outside the area; the drone will then have this as the start/end direction.
When you are satisfied with the direction, click the magnifying glass to select the altitude.
Adjust the altitude by clicking on (+) or (-).
When the altitude is set, click on the black tool menu above the map.
Start by setting the correct speed.
Change the speed by clicking on (+) or (-). The recommended setting is 2 m/s.
Then set the correct battery setting by clicking on (+) or (-). The recommended setting is Battery Limited.
Change the overlap by clicking on (+) or (-). The recommended setting is 80/80. m. When you are satisfied with the settings, click on the icon in the lower left corner. Then click on the floppy disk to save.
Once your flight route is saved, click on the arrow in the upper left corner and proceed by confirming with Yes.
Your flight route is now saved and appears at the bottom of the list.
Edit the flight by swiping left on the row you want to edit.
Change the name of the flight route to a suitable project name.
The flight route is now created, and you can transfer it to the drone after connecting the drone to the controller and obtaining satellite reception.
To transfer the flight route, click on the icon in the top right corner.
Then proceed by clicking on Upload to upload the flight route to the drone.
Then click on Start for the drone to lift off and fly the route.