Most drone crashes don’t happen in the air—they start before takeoff.
Skipping a site assessment or missing a single NOTAM can turn a simple flight into an incident report. Real pros know that the secret to flawless missions isn’t luck—it’s preparation.
In S4E27 of Sky Commander Academy, we dive deep into Section 6.1.1: Pre-Flight Site Assessment Checklist, breaking down how to evaluate your environment, your equipment, and your risk exposure before every launch. Whether you’re shooting data, film, or infrastructure, this episode gives you the structure to think—and plan—like an air operations commander.
In this episode:
🌦 Weather assessment mastery – interpreting wind, temperature, and visibility for drone performance and battery endurance
🗺 Terrain and obstacle evaluation – how to identify ground hazards, slope effects, magnetic interference, and GPS limitations
📡 NOTAMs and TFRs – how to spot temporary restrictions and what they actually mean for your operational window
⚠️ Environmental and human risk factors – proximity to people, property, and wildlife—and how to mitigate exposure
🧭 Creating your pre-flight checklist – the essential elements every operator should include, from battery health to firmware checks
💡 Pro tip – how to standardize your assessment into a repeatable mission log that impresses clients and inspectors
A disciplined pre-flight check isn’t bureaucracy—it’s aviation safety in action. Learn the habits that elite pilots use to fly safer, smarter, and with complete confidence, no matter the environment.
🌐 SkyCommander.ca
🎧 Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or wherever serious drone pilots prepare for takeoff.
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