“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” - Abraham Lincoln
We’re proud to say that our skilled pilot network has flown thousands of successful missions to date, but true “success” as a DroneBase pilot can’t be attributed to just skill alone. Our pilots pair talent with meticulous preparation to guarantee a smooth flight for each and every client mission flown.
Positive habits like packing a bag before a mission or creating a pre-flight checklist are the building blocks for a successful flight. We asked Paul Bond, veteran DroneBase pilot, to fill us in on his habits, routines, and most importantly, what’s in his bag of tricks when he heads out to complete a mission.
Photo Credit: Paul Bond, DroneBase Pilot
Are there any habits or pre-flight rituals you’ve created for yourself?
The night before, I double check everything - making sure all batteries are charged, that I’ve packed my controller, iPad, iPhone, accessories, cords, et cetera. When I head out on a mission I always bring two drones and one ground camera regardless. I bring at least 8 batteries, lens cleaners, microfiber cloths, and a DJI controller harness, which is very useful that controller gets heavy after hours of filming, especially with that iPad and hood protector on it.
Talk us through what you do each time you arrive at a mission location, besides going through a Pre-Flight Checklist.
The morning of: I always check the KP index to make sure the weather’s good. I also double-check my airspace maps to ensure that the space I’m flying in is within regulation.
One of the first things I always do before starting the mission is to fly the drone to the highest point in my surroundings, whether it’s a tree, power lines, or a building. I do this to take a mental note of the highest point as reference, ensuring that I know when I’m at the desired height during a mission.
After I've finished my shoot, I then check to make sure that I have all the required shots. You have to be careful with this and and make sure you have the footage before leaving a location so that you don’t need to re-shoot any material. And always, always, always back up your data!
Great tips! Any other habits?
Post flight, I normally grab a beer! Not every time but if it was a long day and I know I don’t have to fly or drive anymore, i'll grab a refreshing brew!
Photo Credit: Paul Bond, DroneBase Pilot
Sounds like a well-deserved treat to us! If you’d like to learn more about Paul and his work, visit the links below:
If Paul’s story has inspired you, consider joining his ranks and become a DroneBase pilot!
