Preflight Checklist

Overview

Preflight checklists help teams standardize flight preparation and ensure every mission starts with the same safety and compliance steps. In Auterion Suite, you can build checklists using an editor and deploy them to your fleet. Checklists appear in Auterion Mission Control (AMC) when a pilot connects to a vehicle.

Before You Start

Prerequisites

• Auterion Suite with an active Enterprise subscription.

• A Ground Control Station (GCS) running AMC v1.39.7 or later.

• Pilot Profile logged in on the GCS.

This feature is also available on AMC v1.38.0 using a JSON file. See Preflight Checklists (AMC v1.38.0) for instructions.

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Create a checklist

1. In Auterion Suite, go to Fleet Management → Compliance → Preflight Checklists.

2. Select Create.

3. Enter a Checklist Name. This name is only visible in Suite.

4. Enter a Display Title. This is the title pilots see in AMC.

5. In Vehicle Group, select the group of vehicles this checklist applies to. If no group is selected, the checklist applies to all vehicles registered in Suite.

6. Configure the following options as needed:

Toggle	Description
Set as active checklist	This checklist becomes active only for the chosen group and will replaces any other active checklist assigned to that group.
Enforce checklist completion	All required checks must pass before the vehicle can be armed.
Auto-open on connect	Opens the preflight checklist menu in AMC when a pilot connects to a vehicle.

Adding checklist steps

Checklists are organized into checklist groups. Each checklist group acts like a section in AMC and contains one or more check items.

1. Select + Add Group.

2. Enter a Group Title. This is the group title displayed in AMC.

3. Drag items from the Components panel on the right into a group.

   • Automated Checks: Pass/fail status is determined automatically by the vehicle (for example, Battery, GPS, Sensors Health).

   • Manual Checks: Requires the operator to manually confirm a custom checklist item. The title and description are configurable.

4. To reorder groups or checks, drag using the handle on the left of each item.

To mark a check as mandatory, enable the Required toggle on that item. Required checks must be completed before the checklist can be passed.

Some automated checks have configurable thresholds. For details, see Checklist Components.

Deploy the Checklist

1. Enable Set as active checklist for the selected vehicle group.

2. Select Save.

The checklist deploys to all vehicles in the group. Pilots will see it in AMC under Quick Settings → Preflight Checklist the next time AMC connects.

To change the active preflight checklist, go to Fleet Management → Compliance → Preflight Checklists and enable the desired checklist.

Using the Checklist in AMC

The checklist is accessible from Quick Settings → Preflight Checklist (or the configured checklist name).

• Automated checks: Pass or fail automatically without operator input. Automated checks are labelled Auto in AMC.

• Manual checks: The operator manually confirms each item.

To restart the checklist, select Reset in the top-right corner.

Label	Description	Symbol
Required	Mandatory check configured in Auterion Suite. The vehicle cannot be armed until this check passes.
Optional	Check is not mandatory. The vehicle can be armed even if this check does not pass.
Auto	Pass/fail status is determined automatically by the vehicle. No pilot input required.

If Enforce checklist completion is enabled, the vehicle cannot be armed until all required checks are passed.

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Checklist components

Symbol	Name	Description
	Airspeed Sensor (Requires user input)	Prompts the operator to confirm that the airspeed sensor is attached and free from dirt, and that the displayed airspeed value changes when the sensor is blown into.
	Battery	Checks vehicle battery level. Requires >80% charge by default. The threshold can be adjusted in Suite.
	Battery Controller	Checks GCS/controller battery level. Requires >80% charge by default. The threshold can be adjusted in Suite.
	Actuators	Moves all servos and prompts the operator to confirm that all control surfaces responded correctly. Verifies both control surfaces and tilt actuation by default. Configure in Suite to verify control surfaces, tilt actuation, or both.
	GPS Fixed-Wing Landing	Checks that the GPS fixed-wing landing application is installed and running on the vehicle.
	GPS	Checks for an active GPS lock. Requires more than 3 satellites and a 3D fix by default. The threshold and fix type can be adjusted in Suite.
	RC Controller	Checks for a connected and calibrated controller. Accepts any controller type by default. Can be restricted to RC only or joystick only in Suite.
	Sensors Health	Checks that required onboard sensors are healthy. If any of the sensors are unhealthy, one of the following messages is displayed: Failure. Magnetometer issues. Check console. Failure. Accelerometer issues. Check console. Failure. Gyroscope issues. Check console. Failure. Barometer issues. Check console. Failure. Airspeed sensor issues. Check console. Failure. AHRS sensor issues. Check console. Failure. GPS sensor issues. Check console.
	Sound	Checks that the Ground Control Station buzzer and audible alerts are operational.
	Camera Storage (manual check)	Checks that the camera is plugged in and has adequate free space. This is a manual check. The operator confirms visually.
	System Health	Reports the vehicle's Health and Arming check status. Reports the first problem found and the total number of problems.
	Video	Checks for an active video feed.
	Parachute	Checks that the parachute system is connected and ready for use.
	Mission	Checks that a valid mission is uploaded to the vehicle and can be started.
	Dual Radio	Checks for two active radio links and ensures redundant (primary/backup) connectivity.
	Manual (Customizable, requires user input)	Custom manual check. The title and description are configured in Auterion Suite. Requires operator input.

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Creating a Checklist using a JSON (AMC 1.38.0)

Create a JSON file and upload it directly to Auterion Suite or AMC. This method is supported on AMC v1.38.0 and later.

Creating a Checklist using a JSON

You Need

• Auterion Suite with an active Enterprise subscription.

• A Ground Control Station running AMC v1.38.0 or later and logged in with your Pilot Profile.

Checklist File Structure

Preflight checklists are structured into main titles, groups, and individual steps. Each step includes a title and description. You define these titles, groups, and steps in your checklist.

Template:

{
   "mainTitle":"Auterion",
   "groups":[
      {
         "title":"Group 1",
         "preflightCheckList":[
            {
               "title":"First check",
               "description":"Description of first check"
            },
            {
               "title":"Second Check",
               "description":"Description of second check"
            }
         ]
      },
      {
         "title":"Group 2",
         "preflightCheckList":[
            {
               "title":"First check of group 2",
               "description":"Description of first check of group 2"
            },
            {
               "title":"Second Check",
               "description":"Description of second check of group 2"
            }
         ]
      }
   ]
}

Creating a checklist using a JSON

Field Description:

1: mainTitle – Defines the title in the pre-flight checklist overview.

2: title – Defines the title in the pre-flight checklist group within groups .

3: title – Defines the title of the checklist step within preflightChecklist .

4: description – Defines the description of the checklist step within preflightChecklist .

Example:

{
   "mainTitle":"Auterion Pre-flight Checklist v0.0.1",
   "groups":[
      {
         "title":"Weather Check",
         "preflightCheckList":[
            {
               "title":"Check Rain",
               "description":"Please check for rain in the area"
            },
            {
               "title":"Check Clouds",
               "description":"Please check for cloud cover"
            }
         ]
      },
      {
         "title":"Equipment",
         "preflightCheckList":[
            {
               "title":"Propellers Check",
               "description":"The propellers are in good condition and ready for flight."
            },
            {
               "title":"Battery Check",
               "description":"The battery is fully charged and ready for flight."
            }
         ]
      }
   ]
}

Save your file with the extension .json (for example, preflight.json). You’ll upload this file in the next step.

Activating Preflight Checklists

Through Auterion Suite

1. Go to Fleet Management → Compliance →

2. Under the Preflight Checklist section click Create → Import

3. In the dialog, enter a checklist name (this name is only shown in Suite).

4. Click Select File and upload your checklist JSON.

5. Review the file in the preview window, then click Add.

6. To enable the checklist for your entire fleet, toggle it to Active.

Through AMC

Activating the Preflight checklist in AMC enables it for that vehicle only.

1. Ensure your checklist file name ends with .preflightCheckList (for example, myChecklist.preflightCheckList).

2. Open AMC.

3. In the side menu, go to Settings → General.

4. In Preflight checklist, use Upload to select and upload your JSON file.

You can download the JSON of any checklist created in Auterion Suite by selecting the preview icon and choosing Download JSON.

Settings

The Preflight Checklist section in AMC includes the following options:

• Import / Remove: This is how you manage the Import or removal of the Preflight checklist from the vehicle.

• Refresh: Ensures AMC is using the latest preflight checklist from Suite.

• Skip Default Preflight Checklist: Disables the default vehicle checklist so you can focus on your imported checklist.

• Require Preflight Checklist to pass before arming: Requires the imported checklist to be completed before the vehicle can be armed.

• Automatically open Preflight Checklist: Opens the preflight checklist automatically when AMC starts.

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Settings

In AMC, go to Settings → Preflight Checklist.

• Refresh Suite Preflight Checklist: Syncs AMC with the latest active preflight checklist from Auterion Suite.

• Require Preflight Checklist to pass before arming: When enabled, the preflight checklist must pass before the vehicle can be armed.