Title: (Optional) Identify safety precautions and standard operating procedures for flying drones.
Course: Turfgrass Management, Advanced (18054-IV) > Section: Exploring the Use of Drones in Agriculture

Identification should include

- flying only one drone at a time
- flying the drone within visual line of sight
  - flying only during the day
  - avoiding flying in cloud, fog, or heavy rain
  - viewing the drone with eyes at all times, rather than by using binoculars or watching a video screen
  - avoiding anything that would obstruct the line of sight (e.g., trees, buildings)
- ensuring compliance with drone flying requirements for the area
- ensuring batteries are fully charged
- checking the UAV weather forecast prior to flight, specifically regarding safe wind conditions, cloud cover, fog, or heavy rain
- being familiar with the flight location (e.g., off-limits spaces, building structures, local law prohibiting flight in specific areas, air traffic control contact when in the vicinity of an airport) and planning the range of flight
- establishing the take-off and landing location and a backup plan prior to flight.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What weather concerns should one investigate prior to drone flight?
- What is the maximum safe wind speed when flying a drone?
- Why should one have a visual line-of-sight on the drone at all times?