Prepare Your Drone for Spring: Pre-Season Maintenance and Part 107 Recertification Guide

Key Takeaways

• Start drone spring maintenance 4-6 weeks before peak season to address any issues requiring parts or repairs
• Complete your FAA Part 107 renewal at least 30 days before expiration to avoid operational gaps
• Update firmware across all aircraft and controllers to ensure compatibility and safety compliance
• Inspect batteries, propellers, and sensors as part of comprehensive drone pre-season maintenance
• Refresh your Part 107 knowledge on airspace regulations and weather minimums before spring operations

As winter fades and construction sites reawaken, commercial drone pilots face their busiest season. The spring surge brings lucrative opportunities in real estate photography, construction progress monitoring, and infrastructure inspection—but only for pilots whose equipment and certifications are ready. February is the perfect time to conduct thorough drone pre-season maintenance and handle Part 107 recertification before March's rush begins.

Here is handy checklist to help you prepare your drone for spring:

Auditing Your Commercial Fleet

• Begin your drone spring maintenance by inventorying every aircraft in your fleet. Create a spreadsheet documenting each drone's flight hours, last maintenance date, and any performance issues noted during previous operations. This baseline helps prioritize which aircraft need immediate attention versus routine servicing.
• Inspect each drone's physical condition systematically. Check propellers for chips, cracks, or warping that could cause vibration or reduced efficiency. Even minor damage compromises performance and safety. Examine motor bearings by gently rotating each propeller—any grinding sensation indicates bearing wear requiring replacement.
• Battery health deserves special attention during drone pre-season maintenance. Cold winter storage can degrade lithium polymer cells. Use your manufacturer's app to check battery cycle counts and cell voltage balance. Batteries showing more than 0.05V difference between cells may need to be retired. For DJI users, batteries with swollen cases or error messages must be replaced before spring operations.
• Gimbal and camera systems require careful inspection. Clean sensor lenses with appropriate microfiber cloths and lens solution. Check gimbal motors for smooth operation across all axes. Calibrate the compass and IMU according to manufacturer specifications—environmental changes over winter often throw these sensors out of alignment.

Firmware Updates and Software Preparation

• Firmware updates are critical components of preparing drones for spring. Manufacturers release updates throughout winter that address safety issues, improve flight performance, and occasionally add features valuable for commercial work. However, never update firmware immediately before a paid job.
• Schedule a dedicated day for updates across your entire fleet. Update aircraft firmware first, followed by remote controllers, then mobile apps. Test each drone after updates to ensure all functions work correctly. Some updates reset custom settings, so verify your flight modes, return-to-home altitude, and maximum distance parameters match your operational needs.

Part 107 Recertification Essentials

• FAA Part 107 renewal is required every 24 months for commercial drone pilots. If your certification expires in spring or summer, begin the recertification process now. The online recurrent training takes 2-3 hours and covers airspace classification, weather theory, emergency procedures, and regulatory updates.
• Even if your Part 107 recertification isn't immediately due, February offers time to refresh critical knowledge. Review Part 107 regulations on visual line of sight, maximum altitude restrictions, and operations over people—or take a Part 107 test prep course to refresh your knowledge. Spring construction sites often involve complex airspace considerations and coordination with manned aircraft—areas where regulatory clarity prevents costly violations.

Pre-Season Test Flights

• Complete your drone spring maintenance with test flights in controlled conditions. Verify GPS acquisition, obstacle avoidance sensors, and automated flight modes. These test flights identify hidden issues before you're on-site with a paying client.

By investing time in thorough drone pre-season maintenance and staying current with Part 107 recertification requirements, you'll position your operation to capitalize on spring's opportunities while maintaining the safety and professionalism that builds lasting client relationships.

For More Information

Check out the Part 107 Test Prep Course—everything you need to fly drones commercially.