Jack great checks!! I always had a loaded voltmeter, But because of checking
and it showed good, I started by just using the amount of flights... Well many
months went by and one day I was making my last flight(7th) and I did not
check it... Now I can't say it really was the battery or me holding the stunt to
long and not having enough time for clean air on the surfaces... But any case
it went in I damaged the nose but all in all not bad and it was easy to fix.. But
from that day.. I always check my batteries before a flight, even when I take them
off of the over nite charge and head to the field I check them... If I can help it
batteries will not be the cause of a problem...

We do take alot for granted at times.. And as you said most would be prevented
by Home and preflight checks and it really does not take that long... And your
overall outting will be much better...