Skydio X10 Emergency Operations

Checklist: Skydio X10E Emergency Operations
Version / Effective Date: 1.1 / 21 SEP 2026
Authority: For use in all EMHS/CDRP/DIRT UAS operations.

Memorization Required

All Emergency Operations Checklists must be memorized for flight crewmembers. Procedures must be carried out quickly without checklist reference.

Abort Procedures

Abort to Loiter (ATL) is utilized as an initial response to an unsafe, unusual, or unknown condition. The RPIC and crew should evaluate the need for additional emergency actions.

ATL Checklist

“Abort to Loiter” - ANNOUNCE
Airspace - CLEAR
Hover - ESTABLISH
Aircraft orientation - ESTABLISH
Descend or Climb - AS NECESSARY

Abort to Landing (ATLAND) is the appropriate response for a condition the is a developing risk to the aircraft, crew, bystanders, or other aircraft. This abort assumes flight controls are responsive and the airspace is permissive for a direct return to launch.

ATLAND Checklist

“Abort to Landing” - ANNOUNCE
Master flight mode - RTL or AS APPROPRIATE
Airspace - CLEAR
Notify Command - CHECK
Land - RETURN TO LANDING
Proceed to Approach and Landing Checklist

Abort to Ground (ATG) is an immediate response to an unsafe condition in the aircraft or environment. The abort assumes flight controls are responsive, and results in an immediate landing in the nearest location that is safe for bystanders and crew.

ATG Checklist

“Abort to Ground, Abort to Ground, Abort to Ground” - ANNOUNCE
Airspace - CLEAR
Descend - IMMEDIATELY
Land - IMMEDIATELY
Command elements - NOTIFY
Aircraft - RECOVER

Automated Emergency Landing (AEL)

Skydio aircraft may trigger an automated landing in the event of a detected severe system issue. Pilot actions must be quick and precise to minimize danger to the aircraft or personnel on the ground.

The pilot cannot cancel the AEL cycle - but lateral flight control is retained. The pilot should 'nudge' the aircraft away from obstacles and toward a safe landing location. The landing will not pause before touchdown.

Collision avoidance is disabled in this mode.

AEL Checklist

“Emergency Landing, Emergency Landing, Emergency Landing” - ANNOUNCE
Airspace - CLEAR
Decent Path - NUDGE
Land - IMMEDIATELY
Command elements - NOTIFY
Aircraft - RECOVER

Lost Link Procedures

Lost Link and Flyaway are similar conditions - both involve a loss of pilot direct control of the aircraft. A Lost Link results in the aircraft assuming a loiter condition, and at the end of the programmed failsafe time (60 seconds) the aircraft will begin an automated return to home (RTH) and land at the takeoff point. There is a default 240 second delay between the arrival at the launch point and the start of the landing cycle.

A Flyaway is distinguished by an immediate movement of the UA in a direction other then toward the home point. A Flyaway will result in the loss of the aircraft - not an attempted return.

The pilot should note the exact time the aircraft enters the Lost Link or Flyaway condition.

Failure to regain control will result in an automated RTH to the point of launch. Ensure all crew and bystanders are aware.

Flyway Checklist

“Flyaway. Flyaway. Flyaway.” - ANNOUNCE
GCS Antenna - ALIGN / DIRECT AT UA
Flight Control - REGAIN
Master Flight Mode - RTH
Risk Assessment - CHECK
Command elements - NOTIFY
Auto Land - MONITOR IF REQUIRED
Location, Date, Time - LOGGED
ATC - NOTIFY AS REQUIRED
Authorities - NOTIFY AS APPROPRIATE

Fire and Crash

These procedures are in response to an incident, and are designed to mitigate ongoing risks and document the event.

Fire Checklist

“Fire, Fire, Fire.” - ANNOUNCE
If controllable - ABORT TO GROUND
Motors - STOP
Fire - EXTINGUISH
Flight battery - SECURE
Command elements - NOTIFY
Authorities - CONTACT AS REQUIRED

Crash Checklist

“Crash, crash, crash. Aircraft crashed.” - ANNOUNCE
Command elements - NOTIFY
Location, Date, and Time - LOGGED
Flight battery - REMOVE AND SECURE
Photos - TAKEN OF CRASH SITE
Video - TAKEN OF CRASH SITE
Aircraft - RECOVER
Reaper - ISSUED