UAS Checklists (RGB)

M3T Wide RGB–       Mavic 3 Enterprise Series

Unmanned Aircraft System: DJI Mavic 3

Flight Software Covered: DJI Pilot 2

Date Updated: 28 Aug 2025

Admin Notes: This checklist does not replace the need to study and understand aircraft and operations manuals. Verify use with Tall Timbers Geospatial Lab.

Contact: 

Jennifer Rogers jrogers@talltimbers.org

Karen Cummins kcummins@talltimbers.org

MISSION PLANNING

Save KML/KMZ from Google Earth (specifically)

Deposit file onto Google Drive

In controller, open browser and download file from Google Drive

In Flight Route import route

Set Camera to M3E Series M3T Wide

Altitude Mode - AGL

*Make sure connected to Wifi*

DSM Files - DOWNLOAD FROM INTERNET (accept)

Terrain Follow Height – refer to Ground Sampling Distance (GSD)

Elevation Optimization - OFF

Safe Takeoff Altitude - > 100 ft

Keep speed slow to minimize blur in postprocessing

Adjust Course Angle for most efficiency (fewest turn–arounds)

Advanced Settings –

                              Overlap– 80%/85% (side/front)

Ex. For 3cm/pixel – 280ft altitude, 15 mph

Upon Completion– RETURN TO HOME

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

Log –

                              Check out GPS HERE

                              Check out UAV HERE  

Real Time Kinematics (RTK) Pole –

                              Battery charge – CHECK

                              Air bubbles – CENTERED/BALANCED

                              Orient – FRONT FACING NORTH

                              Power – ON

                              Mode – 5             

Preflight brief (introductions, roles, purpose) – COMPLETE

Wind, temperature, density altitude – CHECK

 “Preflight checklist” – ANNOUNCE

Launch and recovery areas – DEFINED (launch from case, land in hand)

Radio – MONITORING AS APPROPRIATE

Controller – CHARGED, CONFIGURED, ON

Controller antenna – UNFOLDED

Sensor Lens Cover – REMOVED

Flight batteries – CHECK CHARGE

Propellers – SECURE AND CORRECT

Aircraft SD card – INSERTED, HAS CAPACITY

Master flight mode – “N”

“Power” – ANNOUNCE

Drone master power – ON

Controller – CONNECTED

Sensor Status –

Compass status – CALIBRATE (ONCE PER DAY)

Real Time Kinematics (RTK) Controller Setting –

                                             RTK Positioning – ON

                                             Maintain Positioning Accuracy Mode – ON

                                             Select RTK Service Type – D–RTK2 Mobile Station

                                             RTK Battery- CHECKED

Flight battery cell balance – WITHIN 0.03

Battery warnings/failsafe levels – SET (~10%, 30%)

Return to home altitude/mode – CHECK, AS APPROPRIATE

Failsafe lost link – SET (RETURN TO HOME)

Obstacle Avoidance – ON, CHECK SETTINGS

Controller status “Green” – CHECK

“Preflight complete” – ANNOUNCE

TAKEOFF CHECKLIST

“Takeoff checklist” – ANNOUNCE

GPS position – SATELLITES AMPLE

Master flight mode – N

Sensor feed – SWITCH/CHECK VISIBILITY

Crew and observers – CLEAR OF UAS

 “Launching” – ANNOUNCE

Arming – EXECUTE

Takeoff – EXECUTE

Hover (20 FT) – ESTABLISH

Flight controls – CHECK

Home location – CHECK

APPROACH AND LANDING CHECKLIST

“Landing” – ANNOUNCE

Landing airspace and area – CLEAR

Hover – ESTABLISH

Land – EXECUTE

 “Power Off” – ANNOUNCE

Master power – OFF

DURING FLIGHT

GPS (For RTK and Ground Control Points if desired) –

                              Follow tutorials – HERE

                              External battery – CONNECTED

                              Main Trimble Power – ON

                              Trimble App – OPEN/LOCATION STATUS CONNECTED

                              Correction Status – IN USE

                              Horizonal Accuracy – <10cm

                              Point – NAMED/SAVED

QUALITY CHECK AND INITIAL PROCESSING

Transfer data to server

In Agisoft:

                              Upload Folders

                              Batch These Steps:

{Align cameras

                                             Create point cloud (quality- ultra high)

                                             Create DSM}

                              Create Orthomosiac

KNOWN ISSUES

Generator Sputters and Stops- Shorten time spent on Choke, couple seconds is enough or try starting on Run.

RTK Cannot Connect- turn Drone, Controller, and RTK off and back on again. If that doesn't work, move RTK with everything off to any area that might be better. If drone says RTK has moved cycle just drone and controller. Be patient it will eventually connect.

Controller or Batteries Not Charging- Likely overheated, place in vehicle with AC on Max.

Batteries Slow to Charge- make sure using DJI fast charger (looks like laptop charger), charge in separate charging ports as only one battery charges at a time.