What is the first step in conducting a pre-flight checklist?

The first step in conducting a pre-flight checklist is ensuring the drone's battery is fully charged. This is crucial because the battery's charge level directly affects the drone's operational capability and flight safety. A fully charged battery minimizes the risk of mid-flight power loss, which can lead to emergencies or crashes. Before any flight, it is essential to confirm that the drone has sufficient power for the intended flight duration, accounting for any changes in weather and other factors that might require an extended operational time.

Other considerations, such as accessing the internet for real-time updates or reviewing flight logs, may be important but do not take precedence over confirming battery status. They may provide additional situational awareness and historical context, yet they hinge on the drone first being ready and able to fly. Setting the drone to high-speed mode is also not an appropriate starting point for a checklist, as flight modes should be adjusted based on the specific flight needs after ensuring all systems are ready for operation.