Drones are amazing tools for capturing stunning aerial footage, performing complex tasks, and exploring new horizons. But they also require proper documentation and maintenance to ensure their safety, performance, and longevity. In this article, you will learn how to document and maintain your drones in a simple and effective way.
Documentation is not only a legal requirement for some drone operations, but also an essential practice for keeping track of your drone's history, status, and configuration. Recording important information such as serial numbers, firmware versions, flight logs, and maintenance records can help you troubleshoot issues and identify potential problems before they become serious. Additionally, documentation can enable you to customize and optimize your drone's settings and performance according to your needs and preferences. Furthermore, it can assist you in sharing your drone's data and feedback with other drone users and developers as well as complying with local and federal regulations and standards.
We all started out capturing and maintaining our drone fleet on paper. In South Africa most of the documented information is required by regulation, however some of the data would be best practice in any event. Documenting your drones allows a detailed summary of where you purchased the aircraft, what guarantees you have (if any), the health of the aircraft and its batteries etc. In the last year we have fully digitised our commercial operation, and this allows for a systematic input and output. Gamechanger.
Things are much better now that it was decades ago, there are several online platform that could help you track your logbooks, your aircraft maintenance and your batteries log. Embrace this new platform and ease your stress the need to put everything on pen and paper since you can do it digitally.
Legal Compliance: For certain drone operations, documentation is a legal necessity. This compliance helps in abiding by local and federal regulations and standards, ensuring that your drone usage adheres to the necessary legal frameworks. Failure to maintain proper documentation can lead to legal issues or fines. Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Keeping detailed records of maintenance and flight logs helps in identifying wear and tear or any potential issues with the drone. This proactive approach can prevent minor issues from escalating into major problems, saving time and resources in the long run.
Documentar los drones, como cualquier otro elemento de la operativa, no es solamente un requisito legal en muchas ocasiones, si no que nos ayuda a poder disponer de un mayor control sobre el estado de los mismos en cada una de sus facetas. Por ejemplo, el registro de vuelos del dron nos puede ayudar de forma paralela a saber, por ejemplo, cuán cerca estamos de que algún elemento del mismo requiera un mantenimiento o sustitución.
Documenting your drones requires a certain level of expertise, budget, and purpose. Common methods to do so include using the manufacturer's app or software, a third-party app or software, a spreadsheet or database, or a code editor or scripting language. For instance, you can use the manufacturer's app or software to access and download data such as flight logs and battery status. Third-party apps like Airdata UAV and DroneLogbook can be used to analyze data and generate reports. Alternatively, you can create your own template on a spreadsheet or database, or write scripts or commands for your drone with a code editor or scripting language. The FAA provides an existing template for documentation as well.
Quizá la mejor manera de empezar un sistema de registro para tus drones sea utilizar las plantillas que pone a nuestra disposición AESA mediante el formato de Manual de Operaciones genérico o, porqué no, de otros operadores de drones que libremente las hayan puesto a disposición de la comunidad.
Maintaining your drones is essential for ensuring their reliability, safety, and quality. It can help prevent wear and tear, damage, and malfunction of components such as motors, propellers, batteries, and cameras. Additionally, maintenance can improve your drone's flight performance, stability, and efficiency, while also extending its lifespan and reducing the need for repairs or replacements. Moreover, by maintaining your drones you can avoid accidents, injuries, and liabilities caused by faulty or faulty drones. Ultimately, this will save you time and money in the long run.
Un inadecuado mantenimiento de los drones va a terminar produciendo un riesgo para quienes lo operen, así como otras personas que anden cerca o bienes cercanos. Es fundamental no solamente realizar los mantenimientos de servicio, normalmente establecidos por el fabricante, si no un chequeo pre-vuelo mediante el uso de check-list y un mantenimiento post-jornada, centrado en comprobaciones visuales, táctiles y limpieza.
Record Keeping: Keep a maintenance log for each drone to track its history and upkeep. Training: Ensure that whoever is performing the maintenance is properly trained and understands the intricacies of the drone’s systems. Manufacturer’s Guidelines: Always follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance, as different models may have specific requirements.
Performing maintenance on your drones is essential for ensuring their safety and longevity. Pre-flight maintenance should be done before each flight, checking the physical condition, battery level, firmware update, sensor calibration, and connection status. Additionally, you should inspect the drone's surroundings, weather conditions, and flight regulations. After each flight or after a certain number of flights, routine maintenance should be done to keep the drone in good shape. This includes cleaning the body, propellers, and camera lens. The drone and its accessories should also be stored in a dry, cool, and secure place. Periodic maintenance should be done every few months or after a certain number of hours to prevent or fix any issues that may arise over time. This includes replacing worn-out or damaged parts like propellers, batteries, and motors as well as lubricating the bearings, gears, and joints with suitable oil or grease.
Estableciendo un sistema de mantenimiento consistente en revisiones pre-vuelo, mantenimiento post-jornada de trabajo y mantenimiento profundo de servicio respetando las indicaciones del fabricante. El uso de check-list, recordatorios y herramientas de control para el mantenimiento, así como un correcto sistema de registro del mismo, es fundamental para un buen mantenimiento de las aeronaves.
Documenting and maintaining your drones can be easy and fun if you follow some best practices. To start, create a documentation and maintenance schedule and stick to it - you can use a calendar, reminder, or checklist to help you remember. Additionally, keep your documentation and maintenance records organized and accessible by using a folder, file, or cloud service to store and backup the records. Plus, use a label, tag, or QR code to identify and link your drones to their records. It's also important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations - consult the user manual, website, or customer service for more information. If you encounter any difficulties or uncertainties while documenting or maintaining your drones, seek professional help or join a drone community, forum, or group.
The military taught me how to keep official logs; they came in handy during those unexpected investigations or requests for historical knowledge. I use this approach to document everything drone related. I choose to use paper so not to rely on an app that may not be accessible. The "Jekkis A5 Size Lined Journal" is light & small enough to fit inside a drone case. I don't fly as often as I would like so maintenance is conducted before every flight as there are always new firmware updates. I keep two checklists, the maintenance and the pre-flight checklist. The latter is pre-printed and affixed in the journal. If you get challenged by an official, presenting professional logs removes all doubt about your competency.
Las mejores prácticas para documentar y mantener los drones deben ser implementadas en los procedimientos de trabajo mediante la notificación de los mismos y la obligatoriedad de su cumplimiento mediante un manual de mantenimiento de la operadora, que puede ser genérico y conllevar como anexos los manuales de mantenimiento específicos de cada aeronave.
Documenting and maintaining your drones can bring a variety of advantages, such as improved performance and quality, increased safety and security, compliance with the law and ethics, the opportunity to learn and refine your drone skills, and more fun and satisfaction. You can enjoy smoother, faster, and longer flights with your drones. You can also capture sharper, clearer, and more stunning images and videos with your drones. Additionally, you can reduce the risk of losing, crashing, or damaging your drones. You can also protect your drones from theft, vandalism, or unauthorized access. Furthermore, you can follow the rules and regulations that apply to your drone's operation and registration while respecting the rights and privacy of other people and property while flying your drones. Moreover, you can gain more knowledge and experience about your drone's features and functions. You can also develop and apply your drone programming and automation skills. Finally, you can explore new possibilities and opportunities with your drones. You can also share your drone's stories and achievements with others.
Understanding Local Regulations: Drones are subject to various local and international regulations, which may affect maintenance practices. For instance, certain modifications might be restricted or require additional approvals. Staying informed about these regulations is vital.