Drone Pre-Flight Test Checklist

Complete inspection checklist for testing drones before purchase. Covers motors, gimbal, camera, battery, GPS, and flight performance.

1 Visual Inspection (No Power)

Body & Frame

No cracks or damage to body Arms fold/unfold smoothly (if foldable) No loose screws or missing parts Landing gear intact

Propellers

No chips, cracks, or bends Props spin freely by hand Correct prop orientation (CW/CCW) Props securely attached

2 Motors & Electronics

Motor Check

All 4 motors spin smoothly (no grinding) No wobble in motor shafts Motors don't get excessively hot Same sound/speed for all motors

Electronics

No burnt smell from electronics All LED indicators work USB/SD card ports functional No visible corrosion

Motor Position Check

CCW

🚁

Diagonal motors should spin same direction

3 Gimbal & Camera

Gimbal

Gimbal initializes properly on startup Smooth movement on all 3 axes No jittering or vibration Responds to controller input

Camera

Lens is clean and scratch-free Image is sharp and focused No dark spots or sensor damage Photo and video modes work

4 Battery Health

Physical Check

No swelling or puffing Contacts clean and undamaged Battery sits securely No dents or physical damage

Performance Check

Charges to 100% Check cycle count in app (< 200 ideal) Holds charge when idle Flight time matches specs

Battery Health Estimator

Charge Cycles

Actual Flight Time (min)

Rated Flight Time (min)

5 Controller & Connectivity

Controller

All buttons/switches work Sticks center properly (no drift) Smooth gimbal dial Phone mount secure

Connectivity

Strong video link at close range GPS locks within 1-2 minutes App connects without issues Firmware up to date

6 Flight Test (if possible)

Safety: Only perform flight tests in open areas away from people. Keep drone within line of sight. Check local regulations.

Hover Test

Takes off smoothly Hovers stable without input No unusual vibrations Return-to-home works

Maneuver Test

Responds to all controls Consistent speed/movement Obstacle avoidance works (if equipped) Lands smoothly

Good Signs

+ Passes all visual checks
+ Motors sound identical
+ Gimbal is smooth and stable
+ Battery < 100 cycles
+ GPS locks quickly
+ Stable hover

Red Flags

- Crash damage or repairs
- Motor grinding or wobble
- Gimbal jitter or failure
- Swollen battery
- GPS won't lock
- Drifts during hover

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