What must a remote pilot do before each flight operation?

Before each flight operation, a remote pilot is required to conduct a pre-flight inspection of the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). This important step involves checking various components of the drone to ensure that it is safe and ready for flight. During the pre-flight inspection, the pilot typically assesses the structural integrity of the aircraft, verifies that all necessary equipment is functioning correctly, and ensures that the battery is charged and secure. This comprehensive check minimizes the risk of malfunctions and enhances the safety of the operation.

Conducting a pre-flight inspection is essential for regulatory compliance and helps to assess potential hazards, both to the UAS itself and to other airspace users. Given the complexities involved in UAS operations, this thorough check is a critical part of ensuring a safe flying environment and successful mission execution. While checking the battery, filing a flight plan, and determining GPS signal strength may also be relevant considerations in specific contexts, they do not encompass the broad safety and operational checks covered by a pre-flight inspection. Thus, conducting a pre-flight inspection is the most comprehensive and necessary step prior to flight.