New Drone, Old Mistake: 
A Reminder to Slow Down and LAANC Up

Despite several days of pre-flight planning and researching the class E airspace LAANC authorization availability surrounding ZZZ Airport, at the moment of the mission, I forgot to complete the LAANC authorization process in the Aloft Air Control app. I was in an area with automatic LAANC authorization up to 100 ft., and flew at 98 ft and below, during the mission, but clearly violated protocol by failing to get LAANC authorization. How on earth did this happen? I have used the app and others many times for LAANC authorization and understand the procedure.

Causes:

1. Primary Cause: Insufficient Pre-Flight Check routine.

2. Hurry: Client was in a rush to get good lighting conditions, and I allowed this to impact my state of mind, feeling like I had to hurry up my pre-flight routine and get in the air.

3. New Drone: Mavic 4 Pro drone was recently purchased and, while I spent time training and testing the drone prior to this mission, I think I was still in a learning phase with the new screen and control interface, which is different from my other drones.

4. Tunnel Vision: During pre-flight check, I was so focused on ensuring my flight path would stay within the max 100 ft. LAANC Authorization area - checking every street with the Aloft map and marking all of my flight boundaries mentally - that I forgot to complete the actual authorization itself! Incredible. I only realized while reviewing the footage later and thinking through all the planning and mission outcomes, that I had not completed the authorization process.

Remedies:

1. I affixed a new bright orange "FINAL Pre-Flight Check" list to my controller. "Execute LAANC Authorization" is at the top of the list! I have also made a custom Pre-Flight Check List that will stay with the controller at all times - again, LAANC Authorization is top of list.

2. I have added a category to my Pre-Flight Check: "TAKE YOUR TIME, Always". This reminds me to always take a breath and focus on big picture, and go through all hazards, all routines methodically, regardless of any perceived pressures from clients or myself. "If we miss a shot because of pre-flight routine requirements - its okay..."

3. I plan on more training intervals with the new drone and more time online staying plugged in to evolving UAV flight rules and best practices.