Maintenance and Preflight Inspection Procedures
Preflight Inspection
Before every flight, inspect the airframe, propellers, motors, battery, gimbal, and control station. Check for cracks, loose fasteners, damaged props, and debris. Verify battery charge and health, confirm firmware and GPS lock, and test control responses. Confirm the aircraft's registration and required markings are present.
Maintenance and Records
Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule. Replace damaged props rather than repairing them. Log maintenance and battery cycles. Keep the aircraft in airworthy condition - the PIC is responsible for determining that the sUA is safe to fly. A known defect that affects safety grounds the aircraft.
Preflight Planning Checklist
Confirm airspace authorization, TFRs, NOTAMs, weather, and crew fitness. Verify the flight area is clear of people and obstacles. Set return-to-home altitude above obstacles. Brief the mission and emergency procedures.
Traps
Questions often ask whether a minor prop nick is acceptable (no - replace it) or whether preflight inspection is required before every flight (yes). Another trap: assuming firmware updates are optional - they can affect safety and compliance.
Rule of Thumb
"If it's cracked, chipped, or loose, it doesn't fly." Do a full walk-around and control-station check before every launch, and log what you find.
Operation at Night
The Night Rules
Part 107 permits night operations under specific conditions. The aircraft must have anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles, and the remote pilot must have completed the required night training (or operate under a waiver). Night is defined as the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, as published in the Air Almanac.
Planning and Human Factors
Night operations reduce visual acuity and depth perception. Use a visual observer when possible. Ensure your control station display is dimmed appropriately so you retain night vision. Watch for manned traffic - their lights help, but small drones are hard to see. Check battery performance in cold night air and confirm lighting is functioning before launch.
Airspace and Coordination
Controlled airspace authorization still applies at night. Some airports have noise restrictions or curfews. TFRs and NOTAMs may change at night. Confirm your authorization covers the time of operation.
Traps
Questions test the 3-statute-mile lighting requirement and whether night operations require training (yes, unless waived). Another trap: confusing civil twilight with sunset - the rule uses civil twilight, not sunset.
Rule of Thumb
"Lights for 3 miles, training in hand, twilight to twilight." Verify anti-collision lighting and your night qualification before every night launch.