There are many aspects to be considered in drone flight planning and it is one of the most important elements for a safe drone flight. It can be done hours to days or even weeks in advance of your sUAS mission.
Flight planning examines the overall elements of the operation such as:
Airspace: know what class of airspace you will be flying in, is the airspace controlled, are there any active Military Operations Areas (MOAs) or Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).
Weather: know its effects on your mission including wind and density altitude.
The Environment including:
- Choosing takeoff and landing areas,
- Planning for potential obstacles,
- Maintaining a proper distance from people in the area,
- Determining an emergency landing area.
Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) to determine the likelihood and severity of potential hazards.
Human Factors: Identify and prepare for weather and distractions that can affect you and your crew.
The Preflight Inspection
Preflight inspections occur right before the aircraft actually launches. It’s focused on being the last line of defense to find a problem before takeoff and something bad happening down range.
Thorough flight planning will lead to a successful, safe mission and provide the best possible results for your client.
Remember – fly safe!
