Example Maintenance Procedures

Level 1: Monthly Maintenance

The following tasks should be performed every 10 flight hours or monthly (whichever comes first)

Aircraft

• Perform detailed visual inspection of the aircraft
• Clean exterior of aircraft including all inlets
• Look for cracks in the outer shell
• Check visually that all screws are in place and are hand-tight
• Inspect the propellers and look for broken pieces, bent blades or other damage
• Check motor for debris and obstructions

Controller

• Perform detailed visual inspection of the controller
• Clean exterior of controller including all inlets
• Looks for cracks in the outer shell
• Check antennae for smooth movement

Batteries

• Visually check for swelling, cracks and signs of damage
• Check the metal contacts of the battery power and data sockets for damage

Display

• Check for and note any errors that occur

Payload (Cameras, etc.)

• Perform detailed visual inspection of any payloads which may be used with the aircraft
• Clean the exterior of the payload
• Check visually that all screws are in place and are hand-tight
• Blow-out any ingress or egress points

Level 2: Quarterly Maintenance

The following tasks should be performed every 40 flight hours or 4 months (whichever comes first)

Aircraft

• Perform detailed visual inspection of the aircraft
• Clean exterior of aircraft including all inlets
• Look for cracks in the outer shell
• Check visually that all screws are in place and are tight
• Inspect the propellers and look for broken pieces, bent blades or other damage
• Check motor for debris and obstructions
• Perform compass calibration
• Perform gimbal calibration

Controller

• Perform detailed visual inspection of the controller
• Clean exterior of controller including all inlets
• Looks for cracks in the outer shell
• Check antennae for smooth movement

Batteries

• Visually check for swelling, cracks and signs of damage
• Check all gold plates on the battery. If there are any stains on the surface, you can use a Q -tip dipped in pure isopropyl alcohol or electrical contact cleaner to clean them to ensure good contact
• Check to see if the metal contacts of the battery power and data sockets are damaged. If the surface is severely burnt, use a piece of fine sandpaper to carefully clean the surface.

Display

• Update drone firmware
• Update control station firmware
• Check and note any listed errors

Level 3: Annual Maintenance

Perform Level 1 and Level 2 Maintenance

Aircraft

• Perform detailed visual inspection of the aircraft
• Clean exterior of aircraft including all inlets
• Look for cracks in the outer shell
• Check visually that all screws are in place and are tight
• Inspect the propellers and look for broken pieces, bent blades or other damage
• Check motor for debris and obstructions
• Perform compass calibration
• Perform gimbal calibration

Controller

• Perform detailed visual inspection of the controller
• Clean exterior of controller including all inlets
• Looks for cracks in the outer shell
• Check antennae for smooth movement

Full Structural Inspection

• Clean chassis of mud and dirt
• Clean chassis of mud and dirt
• Inspect chassis for cracks
• Check for loose screws
• Check propellers for damage
• Check propellers are free-spinning
• Check motors for debris, obstructions, unusual vibrations, or wobble
• Check unit camera is clean
• Check landing gear condition
• Inspect antennae
• Check control station for faulty components
• Inspect all stickers on the aircraft and make sure there are no loose stickers

Battery Check

• Inspect charger for visible damage
• Inspect battery packs for bulges or leakage
• Charge all batteries
• Inspect battery compartment for cracks, corrosion and security
• Tighten all exterior screws
• Check all gold battery plates inside the aircraft for stains on the surface
• Check to see if the metal contacts of the battery power and data sockets are damaged
• Inspect batteries for swelling, cracks, signs of damage
• Complete a full discharge (down to 10%)
• Complete a full recharge

Payload (Cameras, etc.)

• Perform detailed visual inspection of any payloads which may be used with the aircraft
• Clean the exterior of the payload
• Check that all screws are in place and hand-tight
• Blow-out any ingress or egress points

Repairs/Replace Parts

• Perform all necessary repairs and replace parts as needed

Software & Firmware

• Update drone firmware
• Update control station firmware

Controller

• Perform detailed visual inspection
• Perform detailed cleaning

Calibration & Testing

• Perform sensor calibration
• Perform gimbal calibration
• Perform compass calibration
• Perform IMU calibration
• Perform functional check of exterior lighting

Check FAA Registration

• Verify on FAA DroneZone that registration labels shows up properly on the aircraft

Test Flight

• Verify UAS hovers in place without significant movement
• Perform Successful Return-To-Home
• Verify that no persistent errors are noted on DroneSense