The majority of FPV pilots I have flown with, do not have a formal "preflight" checklist that they work through - but when you're very new, it's worth coming up with one. It's something you can work through before you drive to the spot to make sure you've got everything you need.
You should run these checks before arming and between packs to make sure you've not unknowingly damaged the quad in transit or in flight.
Goggles
- Is the battery in your goggles fully charged?
- Do you have enough battery/batteries to last for the full session?
- Do you have all the receivers for all modes you’re going to fly? e.g. If you might fly HDzero and analogue, do you have both receivers?
- Do you have all of the antennas required for every mode and type of flying you’re going to do? e.g. RHCP vs LHCP, Omni vs Patch
- Are the goggle antennas fitted tightly and free from damage?
- Do you have an SD Card in your DVR?
- Does it have enough storage to last for the full session?
Controller
- Is the battery in your controller fully charged?
- Do you have enough battery/batteries to last for the full session?
- Is the controller antenna fitted tightly and free from damage?
- Does your quad bind to your controller correctly? e.g. correct binding phrase and compatible versions of ELRS installed
- Is the correct model selected on the controller?
- Does your controller telemetry read correctly? e.g. if you are flying on your controller to alert on low voltage, is that alarm set correctly? Is the current voltage reading correctly?
Batteries
- Are you batteries fully charged?
- Do you have the correct cell count for all the quads you’re flying? e.g. 4S vs 6S
- Check the XT30/XT60 connector and its lead for damage
- Check the balance connector and its lead for damage
- Stow the balance connector on the quad so that it will not be damaged in flight or during a crash
Quad
- Are the props in the correct position? e.g. props in vs props out
- Are all screws tight? e.g. prop screws, arm screws, and where the battery attaches
- Check all props for excessive wear or damage
- Does the VTX have the correct antenna, fitted tightly, and free from damage?
- Do you have an SD card in the VTX?
- Does it have enough storage for the full session?
- Does the buzzer operate correctly?
- Does your GPS have lock?
- Is your flight mode correctly set? e.g. angle, horizon, acro?
- Is your failsafe correctly set? e.g. drop, land, return to home? Appropriate RTH height?
- Have you checked operating frequency with other pilots to minimise interference?
- Is the image in your goggles stable?
- Is your take-off area and climb out direction clear?
- Are all switches in the correct position prior to arming?
- Is the image in your goggles stable?
- Is your take-off area and climb out direction still clear?
Between Packs
- Are the motors running hot?
Spotter
Whilst I don't run any specific checks with my spotter prior to flying, it's a good idea to discuss your intentions with the flight. For example, let them know what line you're flying. If you've not flown with that spotter before, then agree some basic commands. I always give my spotter a heads up before I arm, when I'm coming in to land, and where I intent to land. Basic commands can include words to clearly differentiate between: "you should bring the quad back in steadily" and "you need to land immediately."