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