5.7 Maintenance, Inspection, and Condition

5.7 Maintenance, Inspection, and Condition for Safe Operation

Maintaining your drone in airworthy condition is a regulatory requirement and a critical safety practice. The Remote PIC is responsible for ensuring the sUAS is in a condition for safe operation before every flight.

Regulatory Basis

§107.15 — Condition for Safe Operation:

• No person may operate a small UAS unless it is in a condition for safe operation
• The Remote PIC is responsible for making this determination before and during each flight

§107.49 — Preflight Familiarization:

• Requires assessment of the operating environment and aircraft condition
• Must ensure all links between control station and aircraft are functioning

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

While Part 107 does not mandate a specific maintenance schedule, the FAA recommends following the manufacturer's guidelines and establishing your own maintenance protocols:

Before EVERY Flight (Preflight):

• Visual inspection of airframe for damage (cracks, loose parts)
• Check all propellers for chips, cracks, or deformation
• Verify propellers are correctly installed and secured
• Inspect battery for swelling, damage, or corrosion on contacts
• Verify battery charge level
• Check all camera/sensor mounts are secure
• Test control link (power on, verify connection)
• Calibrate compass if prompted
• Verify GPS lock (minimum 6+ satellites)
• Test control inputs (check that all sticks respond correctly)
• Check firmware notifications (do NOT update firmware in the field)

After Every 10-25 Flight Hours:

• Inspect motor bearings for play or unusual noise
• Check motor mounts for looseness
• Inspect wiring and connections for wear
• Clean sensors (obstacle avoidance, downward vision)
• Check gimbal dampeners for wear
• Inspect landing gear attachments
• Review battery charge cycle count and capacity

After Every 50-100 Flight Hours:

• Replace propellers (even if they appear undamaged)
• Deep clean the aircraft
• Inspect ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers) for overheating damage
• Check structural integrity of arms and body
• Review motor performance (listen for bearing noise)
• Consider professional inspection for commercial aircraft

Common Maintenance Issues

Maintenance Documentation

Maintain records of:

• Flight hours — total airframe time and time since last major maintenance
• Battery cycles — number of charge/discharge cycles per battery
• Repairs — what was fixed, when, and by whom
• Part replacements — propellers, motors, batteries, ESCs
• Firmware versions — track updates and any issues
• Incident history — crashes, hard landings, unusual events

When NOT to Fly

Ground the aircraft if:

• Any structural damage is found
• Propellers are chipped, cracked, or deformed
• Battery is swollen, damaged, or has abnormal voltage readings
• Control link cannot be reliably established
• Motor makes unusual noises or vibrates excessively
• GPS will not acquire sufficient satellite lock
• Firmware has a known critical bug (check manufacturer notices)
• Any component that is not functioning as designed

For the Exam: The Remote PIC is responsible for determining the aircraft is in safe condition before EVERY flight. If there is any doubt about safety, the correct answer is always to NOT fly until the issue is resolved.