Preparation should include 

• preparing/charging all batteries and mobile devices (e.g., drone battery, remote controller, phone or tablet)
• inspecting the physical airframe for cracks or loose parts
• inspecting/installing the propellers to ensure blades spin freely, have no nicks or cracks and are tightly secured
• checking firmware/software updates for both the drone and controller.

Teacher Resource: From Zero to Takeoff: Preparing Your Drone for the First Flight – Part 1

Process/Skill Questions:

• What pre-flight checks must an agricultural drone operator complete to ensure safe operation, including battery preparation, airframe inspection, propeller condition, sensor calibration, GPS confirmation, and readiness of emergency return to home settings?
• When should an agricultural drone operator verify weather conditions, firmware updates, payload security, and mobile device connectivity to ensure the drone is prepared prior to entering a field or livestock area for flight operations?
• Where must an operator position the drone for takeoff after confirming that the agricultural work zone—such as a field edge, pasture, or equipment yard—is clear of people, animals, obstacles, and environmental hazards?
• Why is it critical for agricultural drone operators to review emergency procedures, including identifying safe landing zones and confirming obstacle avoidance and auto land functions, before conducting a flight over crops, irrigation systems, or livestock?
• How should an agricultural operator correctly sequence the preflight setup by unfolding the drone, powering on the controller, syncing the device with the flight app, performing sensor calibrations, and confirming GPS and RTH parameters before beginning aerial field monitoring or crop application tasks?