Pre-flight checklist

12 checks before every takeoff.

Print it. Tape it to your transmitter. Run it before every battery — no exceptions.

0/12 checks complete
  1. Battery health & voltage
    LiPo balanced (±0.02V per cell). Storage charge ≥ 3.85V/cell minimum. No puffing, no nicks. FoldApe LR: 3S 1150 mAh / 18650 3000 mAh. BabyApe II: 4S 850 mAh. SpeedyBee Master 5 V2: 6S 1050–1500 mAh.
  2. Propellers — direction, integrity, tightness
    No nicks, cracks, or warps. Correct CW/CCW per arm (Betaflight prop default). Torque check — finger-tight + 1/8 turn. FoldApe LR: 4". BabyApe II: 3.5". Master 5 V2: GEMFAN 51466 5.1".
  3. Frame & arms inspection
    No cracks in carbon arms. Folding hinges (FoldApe LR) clamped tight, dual screws torqued. Standoffs not loose. No bent motor bells.
  4. Motors — spin freely, no debris
    Spin each motor by hand — no grinding, no bearing play. Visual: no grass, hair, fishing line in stator. Motor mount screws torqued.
  5. Antennas — VTX & ELRS RX
    VTX antenna pointed up, no kinks, no exposed shielding. RX antennas in V or T config — never crossed or against carbon. SMA/MMCX connectors torqued.
  6. FPV camera angle & lens
    Camera tilt set for cruise (15–25°) or freestyle (30–45°). Lens clean — microfiber wipe. DJI O3 (FoldApe / Master 5 V2): SD card seated, recording armed if needed.
  7. Goggles & transmitter — battery levels
    Goggles charged ≥ 50%. Radio battery ≥ 60%. DVR storage available. Goggles channel matches drone VTX channel + band (analog) or paired (DJI O3).
  8. ELRS link — bind & arm switch
    Power radio first, then drone. RSSI check — should be ≥ −80 dBm on the bench. Confirm arm switch UNARMED before plugging battery. Throttle low.
  9. Failsafe behavior
    Test failsafe pre-flight: power radio off (drone disarmed) — drone should disarm or trigger Return-to-Home (FoldApe LR with GM8 GPS). Verify Betaflight Failsafe tab → Drop for freestyle, RTH for long-range.
  10. GPS lock (long-range only)
    FoldApe LR: wait for GM8 GPS lock — minimum 8 satellites, HDOP < 2.0. Set Home position before takeoff. Verify Magnetometer calibration if compass-equipped.
  11. Environment — wind, traffic, airspace
    Wind < 30 km/h for 4–5" builds, < 20 km/h for 3.5" sub-250g. No people in flight path. Check airspace map (FR : Géoportail, EU : DroneRules). Sub-250g (FoldApe LR ~120 g) — A1 EU category, no registration but rules still apply.
  12. Final motor beep test (after arm)
    Arm in open area — listen for clean motor idle, no de-sync ticks. Brief throttle blip (~10%) — feel for vibration. Disarm. Re-arm to fly. Hover 30 cm for 2 seconds before commit.
Reminder. APEXFPV drones ship pre-tuned and pre-flashed but environmental factors and pilot skill remain your responsibility. This checklist is a baseline — adapt it to your build, your site, and your local regulations. Fly safe. Fly legal.