FIELD LESSON
Briefing
Every mission needs a plan B
Contingency planning covers alternate launch points, landing areas, weather delays, battery issues, client access failure, people entering the site, aircraft warnings, and deliverable fallback options.
Make it visible
A contingency is not useful if only the pilot vaguely remembers it. Brief the crew and client where needed, and write the decision threshold.
Protect the relationship
Clients handle delays better when they already know the no-go conditions. Build contingency language into quotes and pre-site communication.