How to maintain your Skydio X10

To optimize the performance of your Skydio X10 it is important to keep your drone updated, inspect your equipment, and occasionally replace your propellers and batteries.

 

Maintenance Schedule

Action	Interval
Update system	When an update is available (per your organization’s guidelines).
Clean drone navigation cameras	Before each operational session, and after sessions in dust or precipitation. If flying in areas with high amounts of dust or debris, you may be prompted to clean your camera lenses before each flight.
Replace propellers	Per 250 hours, or as-needed if damaged   Per 100 hours of flying with multiple attachments in high-stress flight conditions*
Replace battery	Per 300 battery cycles A battery cycle is the depletion of at least 80% of the charge. An undamaged and properly stored battery can be safely used beyond 300 cycles.

 

*High-stress use of the flight system with multiple attachments is defined as multiple attachments installed on the drone, combined with:

• Sustained flight airspeed above 33 mph (53 km/h)
• Aggressive or max throttle, pitch, and yaw
• Flights conducted in high wind or gust conditions

 

[accordion heading="Monitoring Drones and Batteries in Skydio Cloud"]

Once you’ve claimed your Skydio X10 drones and batteries in Skydio Cloud, you can track the total number of flights and flight hours for each device.

Skydio X10

Navigate to Reports > Activity. Here you can view the total number of flights and total flight time for each drone in your fleet.

Under the Flights tab you can also view a list of all flights, their duration, launch time, and more.

Skydio X10 Batteries

Navigate to Settings > Devices > Batteries. Here you can view the total number of flights, total flight time, and cycles for each battery in your fleet.

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[accordion heading="Updating your system"]

Skydio will not force an update for your system, however, for optimal performance, we recommend that you keep your Skydio system up-to-date. If flying your Skydio X10 as part of a larger fleet or organization, follow your organization’s update guidelines.

For detailed instructions visit: How to update Skydio X10

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[accordion heading="Replacing propellers"]

[note] Propellers are a consumable item and should be replaced at regular intervals. To purchase new propellers work with your Skydio Account team. [/note]

Inspect for Damage

A routine preflight inspection should include the propellers to ensure they are in good working condition.

Inspect your propeller blades for:

• Hairline cracks
• Large breaks or chops
• Bends

[warning] Propellers with hairline cracks or large breaks, chops, or bends should be replaced immediately. Do NOT fly Skydio X10 with propellers that are not in good condition as serious bodily harm or injury may occur. [/warning]

[note] Some rotation and wear is expected with REV 2 propeller hubs. This is not a safety concern and not something pilots need to inspect or monitor. [/note]

Replacement Intervals

For optimal performance, Skydio recommends replacing your propellers after 250 hours of flight time or whenever you notice any damage. If flying with multiple attachments in high-stress flight conditions (defined above), replace propellers at 100 hours of flight time. 

REV 1 versus REV 2 Propellers

In April 2025, Skydio began manufacturing an updated propeller design (REV 2) with significant mechanical and material changes to address an accelerated wear issue present in the previous (REV 1) propeller design.

To learn more, visit: Understanding Differences between Skydio X10 REV 1 and REV 2 Propellers

How to Replace Propellers

For detailed instructions visit: How to replace Skydio X10 propellers

Updating Propeller Hours in Skydio Cloud

[warning] To maintain your warranty you must immediately cease use of and discard all REV 1 props once you receive your REV 2 props. Logging the replacement of your propellers in Skydio Cloud, with the replacement date correctly populated, is a critical step to ensure you receive an alert when the propellers reach their flight hour limit and should be immediately replaced. If the Prop Hours field is empty in Skydio Cloud, you will not receive any propeller replacement alerts.[/warning]

The total number of flight hours for your drone is tracked in the Drone Device Page within Skydio Cloud. After replacing a propeller set, ensure that an Organization Admin updates the Prop Hours field within the Drone Device Page. Replace all propellers at the same time for ease of tracking total propeller flight time.

[warning] Exceeding the recommended hours of propeller flight times significantly increases risk of failure. Users are responsible for proactively tracking, examining, and replacing propellers to maintain optimal flight safety and reliability. [/warning]

To begin tracking:

1. Select Mark Replaced
2. Select the propeller type (Dock for X10 flight systems should be using REV 2 propellers)
3. Enter the date and time of the last replacement
4. Select Update

Once completed, Skydio Cloud will begin tracking the propeller flight hours.

When your drone reaches its recommended interval for prop replacement, replace all props on the drone and log the replacement in Skydio Cloud. Use the Mark Replaced button to update the date and time and restart the counter. This ensures pilots and admins keep drones mission-ready.

When Skydio X10 props exceed 250 hours of use, a notification will appear under the Issues panel on the Device Page.

[note] Propeller hours are a tracking tool, not a substitute for regular inspections. [/note]

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Cleaning your system"]

It is recommended to wipe down your drone after flights in environments with significant dust or debris.

[warning] Do not submerge your drone or batteries or place them under running water. Water volumes from flight in precipitation are much lower than those from a faucet or hose. Water may get into areas where the drone is not designed to withstand and you may compromise the sensors.[/warning]

• Wipe down your drone with a dry or water-damp microfiber cleaning cloth.
• Only use lens cleaner on cameras.
• Do not submerge your drone or batteries.
• Do not place your drone or batteries under running water.
• Use a compressed air canister to remove any debris in hard to reach areas.
• If needed, mild soap and water may be used to remove heavier dirt or debris. Avoid getting any soap near ingress areas on the drone.
• Keep all the drain holes on the drone and battery clear. If any debris is blocking a drain hole (e.g., mud), use compressed air or gently scrape with a toothpick to remove.

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Storage"]

• Do not store Skydio X10 while wet. After flying in precipitation, allow the drone to air dry in a dry, temperature-controlled environment before stowing. For more information visit: How to fly Skydio X10 in precipitation.
• Store batteries at room temperature 71°F - 82°F (22°C - 28°C) for optimal performance and longevity.
• Store batteries in a cool, dry area with less than 75% relative humidity. Do not store your batteries in extreme environmental conditions.
• Batteries in an idle state (14 days of idle time with no flights) will start to self-discharge in an effort to retain capacity. This may take several days to complete and it is normal for the battery to be slightly warm during this discharge process.
• For maximum longevity, we recommend storing the controller at 50% charge
• For optimal performance and longevity, do not store the controller in temperatures above 73°F (23°C)
• If you have stored your controller longer than 10-16 days, it may require a charge before using again. 

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