If you are new to the world of unmanned aircraft, you may wonder about drone maintenance. Even the best drones, after all, require regular maintenance so they stay in tiptop shape. So what are common drone maintenance tasks and how often should you perform them? Keep reading to find out to minimize the chances of damaging your drone so you won’t have to learn how to fix a drone gimbal, among other tasks.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Maintaining your drone is crucial to avoid accidental damage/drone repairs and to ensure it lasts a long time for budding drone pilots.
- After each flight, check on the exterior chassis for obvious signs of damage, such as cracks, and debris.
- You should also check on the propellers and the motor, looking for obstructions, after every flight, in addition to the drone cameras.
Drone Maintenance and Repair
Each drone is different, though they are some fairly universal maintenance tasks. Performing these tasks at regular intervals ensures you won’t have to learn how to fix a drone motor or related repair tasks. You may, however, want to learn how to fix a drone on your own though.
Insider Tip
Be sure to keep the battery charged according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Here are some common maintenance tasks for drones.
Clean the Chassis
From the quietest drone to the loudest one, you need to clean the chassis after every flight. Take some time to clear away dirt and debris from the exterior. While you are at it, give a quick glance for cracks, as small cracks are easier to crack before they’ve been allowed to grow into larger cracks. If you have a camera on the exterior, clean that as well in addition to any related filters if you’ve just learned how to use an ND filter on a drone. As for cleaning tools, we recommend gentle items like soft brushes and microfiber cloths.
Check the Motor for Obstructions
Anything can happen while soaring through the great blue skies, and it is all too easy for the motor to come in contact with debris. Take some time after every flight to check in with the motor, looking for obvious obstructions and debris. Whip out your drone motor size chart to ensure the correct cleaning procedure and follow the steps included in the manual. The key here is to go slowly and carefully so as to not damage the components.
Check the Propellers
Just like the motor and exterior chassis, the propellers can come into contact with all manner of debris, some of which cause serious damage. After every flight, look over the propellers, checking for cracks and otherwise obvious signs of damage. You can assess propeller damage by giving it a spin test, ensuring that it spins properly without any obstacles. Otherwise, look for debris.
F.A.Q.S
Is there a maintenance schedule for DJI drones?
Each drone has different needs, even high-end models by DJI. Check in the instruction manual for information on this, contacting seasoned technicians when necessary.
When do you need to service your drone?
From budget models to high-end drones, check the instructions for a specific maintenance schedule for unmanned aircraft systems. Next, call up local drone repair shops or aviation maintenance professionals for an appointment.
What are the benefits of using drone inspection solutions?
If you are involved in commercial drone operations with a large drone fleet, using an inspection service can help lower your overall costs of operating ground control stations.
STAT: Nikola Tesla described a fleet of uncrewed aerial combat vehicles in 1915.[37] These developments also inspired the construction of the Kettering Bug by Charles Kettering from Dayton, Ohio, and the Hewitt-Sperry Automatic Airplane. (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://www.process.st/checklist/routine-drone-maintenance-checklist/
- https://store.dji.com/guides/properly-maintain-drone/
- http://download.dji-innovations.com/downloads/inspire_1/en/Intelligent_Flight_Battery_Safety_Guidelines_en.pdfr
- https://www.process.st/drone-maintenance/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle
