S2E68 - Don’t Launch There! The #1 Mistake in Drone Site Selection (and How to Avoid It)

🎧 Before you take off, take a closer look at where you’re standing.
Choosing the wrong launch site isn’t just bad judgment—it can break the law, compromise your mission, or bring your drone down.

In this Sky Commander Academy episode, we break down Section 5.2.1 of the Advanced RPAS knowledge requirements:
Site Selection and Surveying — what it really means to pick a safe, compliant, and effective location for drone operations.

You'll learn how to:

🧭 Assess wind direction, terrain, line of sight, and more
🏠 Avoid structures, people, and no-fly zones before setup
📶 Confirm connectivity and GNSS signal strength
🛰️ Ensure map data and actual ground layout match up
🚧 Spot hazards like powerlines, cranes, radio towers, or magnetic interference
📋 Run a proper Transport Canada–aligned pre-flight site survey
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Plan with Visual Observers or crew for shared situational awareness
💻 Use tools like NAV Drone and digital sectional charts like a pro
🎯 Choose alternate landing zones in case of emergencies

This episode is your step-by-step guide to making better decisions on the ground—before you ever go airborne.

💡 Pro tip: The best pilots don’t just fly—they survey like professionals.
Master this critical step and elevate your safety, efficiency, and confidence.

#SkyCommander #RPASCanada #DroneSiteSurvey #AdvancedRPAS #TransportCanadaRPAS #DroneFlightPlanning #DronePilotTraining #UAVSafety