In this season finale of the Clemson Drone Podcast, Dr. Joe Burgett walks listeners through the structured 10-step approach used at Clemson University to ensure successful Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) missions. Unlike previous episodes featuring guest experts, this episode is a solo deep-dive focused on practical guidance for mission planning, risk management, and data delivery.

Joe breaks down each phase of a drone mission—from pre-flight preparation like mission request intake and feasibility assessment, to in-the-field execution including job safety assessments and live adjustments, to post-flight checklists and documentation. With anecdotes, tool suggestions, and safety protocols, this episode is packed with essential knowledge for anyone operating in professional drone environments.

Key topics discussed include mission planning, risk mitigation, checklists, FAA compliance, crew communication, data validation, and equipment maintenance. Whether you’re a seasoned UAS operator or new to the field, this episode provides a detailed blueprint to help ensure each drone mission is conducted safely, effectively, and with professional-grade outcomes.

Clemson Drone 10 Steps:

Step 1)  Receive a mission request from the Operations Manager.  Make sure you have a clear understanding of the mission objectives.

Step 2)  Conduct Project Feasibility, Safety and Risk Assessment.  For students, this is a formal process of analyzing risk.  You will create a written plan and present it to the Operations Manager.  It will include, at a minimum, the time of the mission, checking airspace, weather forecasts, equipment needed, a summary of the mission, identifying all significant risks, generating a FRAT score, a mission created in Aloft.ai and an annotated satellite image of the mission site.

Step 3)  Review pre-mission B.U.R.G. Manual checklists.  It is best practice to review the “Week Prior to Mission,” “Day Prior to Mission,” and “Morning of Mission” checklists found in the B.U.R.G. manual as appropriate.  Before leaving for the mission, 1) check airspace, 2) check the weather, 3) pack the drone bag, 4) pack the UAS Flight Book, and 5) verify that the drone and controller are charged.

Step 4)  Conduct a Job Safety Assessment (JSA).  Part of this process will be completed with the previous steps.  However, your JSA can only be completed at the mission site so you can see the actual hazards in real-time.

Step 5)  Complete pre-flight checklists.  A blank pre-flight checklist was found in the UAS Flight Book.  A pre-mission safety meeting as part of the JSA is required

Step 6)  Conduct flight.  

Step 7)  Review data. Review data collected to ensure it accomplishes mission objectives.  

Step 8)  Complete the flight log.  Blank flight logs are found in the UAS Flight Book.

Step 9)  Conduct an after-action-review (AAR).  Have a brief meeting with the crew to identify what went well and what you would have done differently with the mission.

Step 10)  Complete post-flight procedures.  Wipe down equipment and return it to campus.  Download and store data.  Charge batteries to between 40% and 80%.  Return all equipment to the Operations Manager.

Resources discussed in this episode:

• SkyVector (sectional chart tool)
• Aloft (LAANC authorization)
• Bug-Out Bag Blog
• Drone Logbooks 

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Contact Dr Joe Burgett | Clemson Drone: 

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