Checklist
: **Autel MAX 4 Series Normal Operations**

Aircraft in Series
: MAX 4T, MAX 4N

Version / Effective Date
: 2.0 / 21 SEP 2026

Authority
: For use in all EMHS/CDRP/DIRT UAS operations. 

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### Preflight Checklist
- [Mission Briefing Checklist](../../mission-briefing-checklist/) - COMPLETE
- **“Preflight checklist” - ANNOUNCE**
- Launch and recovery areas - DEFINED
- VHF radio - MONITORING AS APPROPRIATE 
- GCS - CHARGED, CONFIGURED, ON
- Flight battery - CHECK CHARGE
- Propellers - SECURE AND CORRECT
- Airframe - CHECK
- Strobe - CHARGED AND ATTACHED
- Master flight mode - “STANDARD”
- Throttle - GUARDED
- **“Power” - ANNOUNCE** 
- Master power - ON
- GCS - CONNECTED
- Compass/IMU Status - CHECK/CALIBRATE
- Gimbal status - CHECK
- Aircraft SD card - INSERTED, HAS CAPACITY 
- Flight battery cell balance - CHECK
- Flight battery voltage - CHECK
- Battery warnings/failsafe levels - SET
- Return to home altitude/mode - CHECK, AS APPROPRIATE
- Failsafe lost link - SET
- GCS status “Green”- CHECK
- Wind, temperature, density altitude - CHECK
- **“Preflight complete” - ANNOUNCE**
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!!!warning
Ensure airspace is coordinated and deconflicted prior to launch. Maintain operational launch and departure profiles to ensure aircraft separation.
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### Takeoff Checklist
- **“Takeoff checklist” - ANNOUNCE**
- Throttle - NEUTRAL
- Strobe - ON
- GPS position - CHECK
- Master flight mode - CHECK
- Payload downlink - CHECK
- Crew and observers - CLEAR OF UAS
- **“Arming” - ANNOUNCE**
- Arming - EXECUTE
- Home location - CHECK 
- Takeoff and departure airspace - CLEAR
- Final systems check - BATTERY VOLTAGE, AUTOPILOT, FLIGHT MODE, WARNINGS
- **“Takeoff” - ANNOUNCE**
- Takeoff - EXECUTE
- Hover - ESTABLISH
- Flight controls - CHECK
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!!!warning
Ensure approach airspace is deconflicted prior to approach and landing. Ensure landing and recovery area is clear of bystanders, vehicles, etc. prior to landing.
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### Approach and Landing Checklist
- Wind, temperature, density altitude - CHECK
- Approach Altitude - AS APPROPRIATE
- **“Approach” - ANNOUNCE**
- Master flight mode - STANDARD
- Landing airspace - CLEAR
- **“Landing” - ANNOUNCE**
- Landing area - CLEAR
- Land - EXECUTE
- Motors - STOP
- Hot Swap Battery - AS APPROPRIATE, END CHECKLIST
- **“Power Off” - ANNOUNCE**
- Master power - OFF
- Strobe - OFF
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!!!tip 
The Autel MAX 4 Series aircraft have a battery hotswap capability - the aircraft will not power down.
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### Hot Swap Battery Checklist
- Battery Hotswap - ENABLED
- Aircraft - APPROACH
- Throttle - GUARDED
- **“Power Swap” - ANNOUNCE**
- Flight Battery (Used) - REMOVE (NO POWER OFF)
- Flight Battery (New) - INSERT
- **“Power” - ANNOUNCE** 
- Master power - ON
- Proceed to [[#Takeoff Checklist]]
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