- 14 CFR Part 107
- The Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems rule — the FAA regulation governing commercial drone (sUAS) operations and the Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Remote Pilot Certificate
- The certificate required to act as remote pilot in command of a small UAS under Part 107. It does not expire, but recency lapses without recurrent training.
- Small unmanned aircraft (sUAS)
- An unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds (including everything onboard at takeoff) together with its associated control elements.
- Maximum altitude (14 CFR 107.51)
- 400 feet AGL — or, within a 400-ft radius of a structure, up to 400 ft above the structure's immediate uppermost limit.
- Maximum groundspeed (14 CFR 107.51)
- 87 knots (100 mph). The limit is groundspeed, not airspeed, so a tailwind can push you over it.
- Minimum flight visibility (14 CFR 107.51)
- 3 statute miles, measured from the control station.
- Required cloud clearance (14 CFR 107.51)
- At least 500 feet below the cloud and at least 2,000 feet horizontally from the cloud.
- Minimum age to take the Part 107 knowledge test
- 14 years old (14 CFR 107.67). You must be at least 16 to hold the Remote Pilot Certificate itself.
- TSA Security Threat Assessment (STA)
- A background vetting every Part 107 applicant must pass before the FAA issues the Remote Pilot Certificate.
- English-language requirement (107.61)
- A remote pilot applicant must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English (a medical exception is possible).
- Recurrent training requirement
- Free online recurrent training completed within the previous 24 calendar months to keep operating under Part 107. There is no recurrent knowledge test.
- ALC-677
- The free FAASTeam online Part 107 sUAS recurrent training course for pure Part 107 remote pilots.
- ALC-451
- The free online Part 107 initial course for existing Part 61 certificate holders, who do not take the UAG knowledge test.
- Drone registration under Part 107
- Every drone flown under Part 107 must be registered regardless of weight. Registration is $5 per drone and valid for 3 years via the FAADroneZone.
- Recreational registration threshold
- Drones flown recreationally must be registered if they weigh more than 0.55 lb (250 g).
- Registration marking requirement
- The registration number must be displayed on the exterior of the aircraft and be readily accessible without tools.
- Accident reporting (14 CFR 107.9)
- Report to the FAA within 10 calendar days if the operation causes serious injury / loss of consciousness, or property damage of at least $500 (not counting the UAS).
- Serious injury (Level 3 / accident reporting)
- An injury requiring hospitalization, or one that triggers FAA accident reporting along with loss of consciousness.
- Alcohol limit (14 CFR 107.27 → 91.17)
- No operating within 8 hours of consuming alcohol, while under its influence, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04% or greater.
- Waiver (Part 107 Subpart E)
- FAA authorization to deviate from certain Part 107 operating rules if the applicant shows the operation can be conducted safely. Apply well in advance (about 90 days).
- Waivable vs. non-waivable rules
- Operating limits like daylight, VLOS, altitude, one-aircraft-per-pilot, and ops over people are waivable; the 55-lb weight limit and carrying-hazardous-material prohibition are not.
- Carriage of hazardous material (107.36)
- A small UAS may not carry hazardous material. This prohibition cannot be waived.
- External load / property carriage (107.35–107.37)
- Carrying an external load or transporting property for compensation is allowed if the load is securely attached and does not adversely affect flight characteristics or controllability.
- One aircraft per remote pilot (107.35)
- A person may not act as remote PIC or visual observer for more than one unmanned aircraft operation at a time.
- Remote ID (14 CFR Part 89)
- The requirement that most drones broadcast identification and location information — a 'digital license plate' — added to the ACS in revision 10B.
- Standard Remote ID drone
- A drone that broadcasts Remote ID directly from the aircraft (ID, location, altitude, control-station location, time mark, and emergency status).
- Remote ID broadcast module
- An add-on device that broadcasts Remote ID; an aircraft using one must be flown within visual line of sight at all times.
- FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA)
- An approved geographic area where drones may fly without Remote ID broadcast equipment.
- Careless or reckless operation (107.23)
- No person may operate a small UAS in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another, or allow an object to be dropped that creates a hazard.
- Operation from a moving vehicle (107.25)
- Operating from a moving vehicle or aircraft is prohibited, except over sparsely populated areas and not when transporting property for compensation.
- Daylight operation (107.29)
- Operations are allowed in daylight, in civil twilight, and at night — provided the aircraft has anti-collision lighting in twilight and at night and the RPIC completed updated training.
- Anti-collision lighting requirement (107.29)
- For civil-twilight and night operations the aircraft must have anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles; it may be dimmed but not extinguished.
- Civil twilight
- The period (per the Air Almanac) just before sunrise and after sunset; in the contiguous U.S. it is the 30 minutes before official sunrise and after official sunset.
- Remote PIC duties (107.19)
- The remote pilot in command is directly responsible for, and the final authority over, the operation; must ensure no hazard to people/property and that the aircraft is safe before flight.
- Inspection of credentials (107.7)
- A remote pilot must present the certificate, identification, and any records on request from the FAA, NTSB, TSA, or law enforcement.
- Form 8710-13
- The FAA application (completed in IACRA) for a Remote Pilot Certificate after passing the knowledge test.
- IACRA / FAA Tracking Number (FTN)
- The Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application system; creating a profile generates the FTN used to schedule the test and file the application.
- UAG knowledge test
- The Unmanned Aircraft General – Small initial aeronautical knowledge test for first-time Part 107 applicants.
- Retake after a failed knowledge test (107.71)
- An applicant must wait 14 calendar days before retaking the test; there is no limit on the number of attempts.
- Knowledge-test passing score
- 70% — 42 of 60 questions correct on the 60-question Part 107 (UAG) test.
- Class B airspace
- Controlled airspace around the busiest airports, shaped like an upside-down wedding cake from the surface up to roughly 10,000 ft MSL. Depicted by solid blue lines. Prior ATC authorization required for Part 107.
- Class C airspace
- Controlled airspace from the surface to about 4,000 ft AGL, with a 5 NM core and a 5–10 NM shelf from 1,200 ft AGL. Depicted by solid magenta lines. ATC authorization required.
- Class D airspace
- Controlled airspace around a towered airport, surface up to about 2,500 ft AGL with roughly a 4 NM radius. Depicted by dashed blue lines. ATC authorization required.
- Class E airspace
- Controlled airspace that is not A, B, C, or D. May begin at the surface, 700 ft AGL, or 1,200 ft AGL. Authorization is required only where Class E reaches the surface near an airport.
- Class G airspace
- Uncontrolled airspace from the surface up to the base of the overlying controlled airspace. No ATC authorization is required to fly a drone here.
- Dashed magenta line
- On a sectional chart, the boundary of Class E airspace that begins at the surface (often around an airport).
- Magenta (faded) vignette
- A shaded magenta band on a sectional showing Class E airspace with a floor of 700 ft AGL.
- Blue (faded) vignette
- A shaded blue band on a sectional showing Class E airspace with a floor of 1,200 ft AGL.
- Solid blue lines on a sectional
- The boundary of Class B airspace.
- Solid magenta lines on a sectional
- The boundary of Class C airspace.
- Dashed blue lines on a sectional
- The boundary of Class D airspace.
- Airspace box notation "41/SFC"
- On a sectional, a ceiling/floor box meaning the airspace tops at 4,100 ft MSL and the floor is the surface (SFC).
- Airspace box notation "41/12"
- A Class C shelf: ceiling 4,100 ft MSL and floor 1,200 ft AGL — drone operations below the shelf floor are in the underlying airspace.
- Class B tier box "100/30"
- A Class B layer with a ceiling of 10,000 ft MSL and a floor of 3,000 ft MSL — values vary by location, so always read the box.
- MSL vs. AGL
- MSL (mean sea level) is altitude above sea level; AGL (above ground level) is height above the terrain. The 400-ft Part 107 limit is AGL.
- LAANC
- Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability — the system that gives near-real-time ATC authorization to fly in controlled airspace up to charted ceiling altitudes.
- UAS Facility Map (UASFM)
- FAA grid maps showing the maximum altitude at which LAANC will automatically authorize drone flight in controlled airspace near an airport.
- ATC authorization for controlled airspace (107.41)
- No person may operate in Class B, C, D, or surface-area Class E airspace without prior authorization from ATC (typically via LAANC or the FAA DroneZone).
- TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction)
- A temporary regulatory restriction of airspace for events such as VIP movement, disasters, sporting events, or wildfires — drones are generally prohibited inside one.
- NOTAM
- Notice to Air Missions — time-critical aeronautical information (such as a TFR or closed airport) that a remote pilot should check before every flight.
- Prohibited area
- Special-use airspace where flight is forbidden for security or national-welfare reasons (e.g., P-56 over the White House). Depicted with a blue hatched 'P' boundary.
- Restricted area
- Special-use airspace containing hazards to flight such as artillery firing or missile testing; entry requires permission from the controlling agency.
- Warning area
- Special-use airspace extending from 3 NM outward from the U.S. coast that contains activity hazardous to aircraft.
- MOA (Military Operations Area)
- Airspace that separates military training activity from IFR traffic; depicted with a magenta hatched boundary.
- Alert area
- Special-use airspace depicting a high volume of pilot training or unusual aerial activity; all pilots share responsibility for collision avoidance.
- Controlled firing area (CFA)
- Special-use airspace where activities are suspended when a spotter detects approaching aircraft — so CFAs are not charted.
- Military Training Route (MTR)
- A route used by military aircraft for low-altitude, high-speed training, often below 1,500 ft AGL — a collision hazard for drones.
- NSA (National Security Area)
- Airspace where pilots are requested to voluntarily avoid flight to protect ground facilities; flight can be temporarily prohibited by NOTAM.
- TRSA (Terminal Radar Service Area)
- Airspace where radar separation service is provided; participation is voluntary, and Part 107 does not require authorization to operate beneath it.
- CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency)
- The radio frequency used to advise of position and intentions at non-towered airports — monitor it to stay aware of manned-aircraft traffic.
- Right-of-way / yielding (107.37)
- A small unmanned aircraft must always yield the right of way to all other (manned) aircraft.
- Operations near airports (107.43)
- No operating in a manner that interferes with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport, or seaplane base.
- Latitude and longitude
- The coordinate grid (lines of latitude run east-west, longitude north-south) used to locate a position on a sectional chart.
- Airport beacon / runway numbers
- Runway numbers are the magnetic heading rounded to the nearest 10° with the last zero dropped — e.g., Runway 9 points to magnetic 090°.
- Sectional chart
- The 1:500,000-scale aeronautical chart a remote pilot reads to identify airspace, obstacles, and terrain in the operating area.
- Maximum elevation figure (MEF)
- A bold number in a sectional quadrant giving the highest terrain or obstacle elevation (in hundreds of feet MSL) in that area.
- Obstruction lighting / marking
- Towers and obstacles 200 ft AGL or higher are generally marked and lit; the sectional shows their height in MSL and AGL.
- Antenna / tower symbol
- A sectional symbol marking a tall obstruction; the figure not in parentheses is MSL, the figure in parentheses is AGL.
- Wires and unmarked obstacles
- Power lines and guy wires may be unlit and hard to see — a major collision hazard during low-altitude drone flight.
- Special flight rules area (SFRA)
- Airspace such as the Washington DC SFRA with extra restrictions; drone flight is heavily restricted or prohibited within it.
- DroneZone (FAA)
- The FAA portal used to register drones and to request airspace authorizations or waivers that are not available through LAANC.
- VFR Flyway / VFR Corridor
- Charted routes through or near complex airspace used by manned VFR traffic — areas of higher traffic density to be aware of.
- METAR
- An Aviation Routine Weather Report — a coded hourly observation of current surface conditions at an airport (wind, visibility, sky, temp/dewpoint, altimeter).
- TAF
- Terminal Aerodrome Forecast — a coded forecast of expected weather for the area within about 5 statute miles of an airport, typically valid 24–30 hours.
- SPECI
- A special (unscheduled) weather observation issued when conditions change significantly between routine METARs.
- Sky cover: SKC / CLR / FEW
- SKC = sky clear; CLR = clear below 12,000 ft (automated); FEW = few clouds (1/8 to 2/8 sky coverage).
- Sky cover: SCT
- Scattered clouds — 3/8 to 4/8 of the sky covered.
- Sky cover: BKN
- Broken clouds — 5/8 to 7/8 of the sky covered; this is the first level that counts as a ceiling.
- Sky cover: OVC
- Overcast — 8/8 of the sky covered. Reported as a ceiling.
- Ceiling
- The height above ground of the lowest broken or overcast layer (or vertical visibility into an obscuration).
- Cloud-height reporting in a METAR
- Cloud bases are reported in hundreds of feet AGL — e.g., 'BKN025' means a broken layer at 2,500 ft AGL.
- METAR weather: BR
- Mist — visibility reduced but generally 5/8 statute mile or more (a lighter form of fog).
- METAR weather: FG
- Fog — water droplets suspended near the surface reducing visibility to less than 5/8 statute mile.
- METAR weather: TSRA
- Thunderstorm with rain. Thunderstorms make a drone operation unsafe — do not fly near them.
- METAR intensity prefixes (- / + / VC)
- A minus sign means light, a plus sign means heavy, and VC means 'in the vicinity' of the station.
- Wind group (e.g., 25015G25KT)
- Direction in degrees true (250°), then speed (15 kt) with gusts to 25 kt. 'VRB' means variable direction.
- Altimeter setting (e.g., A2992)
- The current barometric pressure in inches of mercury (29.92) used to set an altimeter to read field elevation.
- Density altitude
- Pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature — the altitude the aircraft 'feels.' High density altitude degrades drone lift and performance.
- High density altitude conditions
- High elevation, high temperature, and high humidity all raise density altitude (thinner air) and reduce drone performance — 'hot, high, and humid.'
- Density-altitude relationship
- Density altitude rises as air density falls. With temperature T, as T increases, air density decreases and DA increases, hurting performance.
- Standard atmosphere
- 15 °C (59 °F) and 29.92 inHg at sea level, with temperature decreasing about 2 °C per 1,000 ft — the reference for performance figures.
- Temperature/dewpoint spread
- The closer the temperature and dewpoint, the higher the relative humidity; a small spread signals likely fog, mist, or low clouds.
- Atmospheric stability
- A stable atmosphere resists vertical motion (smooth air, poor visibility, steady winds); an unstable atmosphere promotes turbulence, good visibility, and showers.
- Cold front
- A fast-moving boundary where cold air displaces warm air, often producing strong gusty winds, turbulence, and brief heavy thunderstorms.
- Warm front
- A boundary where warm air rides over retreating cold air, producing widespread low clouds, poor visibility, and steady precipitation.
- Thunderstorm stages
- Cumulus (building updrafts), mature (most violent — updrafts and downdrafts, heavy rain, hazardous to flight), and dissipating.
- Microburst
- A small, intense downdraft from a thunderstorm causing severe wind shear; extremely hazardous to a drone near the ground.
- Wind shear
- A sudden change in wind speed or direction over a short distance; it can cause a drone to lose lift or control unexpectedly.
- Radiation fog
- Fog that forms on clear, calm nights as the ground cools (cooling the air to its dewpoint); common in valleys near dawn.
- Advection fog
- Fog formed when warm, moist air moves over a cooler surface; common along coasts and can persist in moderate wind.
- Standard temperature lapse rate
- Temperature normally decreases about 2 °C (3.5 °F) per 1,000 ft of altitude gain in the standard atmosphere.
- Preflight weather sources
- FAA-approved internet briefings (1-800-WX-BRIEF / aviationweather.gov), METARs, TAFs, and NOTAMs — checked before every operation.
- Effect of humidity on performance
- High humidity adds water vapor (lighter than dry air), lowering air density and reducing the lift and thrust available to the drone.
- Effect of high pressure vs. low pressure
- High pressure generally brings stable, fair weather; low pressure tends to bring clouds, precipitation, and poorer flying conditions.
- Convective SIGMET / SIGMET
- Advisories warning of significant hazardous weather (thunderstorms, severe turbulence, icing) affecting all aircraft.
- Frost on rotor blades / airframe
- Even thin frost disrupts airflow over a surface, reducing lift; remove all frost before flight.
- Weight and balance
- Ensuring the drone's total weight is within limits and its load is positioned so the center of gravity stays within the manufacturer's range.
- Center of gravity (CG)
- The point at which the aircraft's weight is balanced. A CG outside limits reduces stability and controllability.
- Effect of an aft (rearward) CG
- Reduces stability and can make the aircraft difficult to control or recover; a forward CG increases stability but reduces maneuverability.
- Stability
- An aircraft's tendency to return to its original attitude after a disturbance. Proper loading and CG keep a drone stable.
- Effect of added payload on endurance
- More weight draws more battery current, so a heavier payload reduces flight time (endurance) and range.
- Effect of weight on performance
- Greater weight requires more power and lift, reduces climb performance and maneuverability, and raises the speed needed to stay aloft.
- Determining performance
- Use the manufacturer's data (weight, battery, temperature, altitude) to predict endurance, payload capacity, and safe operating limits before flight.
- Maximum gross takeoff weight
- The heaviest the drone (with payload, battery, and all equipment) may be at takeoff — never exceed it; the Part 107 ceiling is under 55 lb total.
- Battery temperature effects
- Cold temperatures reduce battery capacity and voltage (less flight time); excessive heat can damage cells and shorten life.
- LiPo battery safety
- Store at proper charge, never fly a swollen/damaged pack, and avoid over-discharge — failures can cause fire or sudden power loss.
- Securing an external load
- A load must be securely attached and must not adversely affect the flight characteristics or controllability of the aircraft (107.35).
- Density altitude and performance
- High density altitude (hot, high, humid) reduces propeller efficiency and lift, lowering payload capacity and climb performance.
- Effect of weight on stall/loss-of-lift speed
- A heavier aircraft must move faster (or spin its rotors harder) to generate the lift needed, raising the speed at which it can no longer stay aloft.
- Load factor
- The ratio of total lift to aircraft weight; aggressive maneuvers increase load factor and the stress on the structure.
- Effect of wind on performance
- Headwinds and gusts increase power demand and reduce groundspeed/endurance; strong wind can exceed the drone's ability to hold position.
- Balancing payload placement
- Mount cameras or sensors so the load is centered under the CG; an off-center load makes the drone drift or tilt and wastes battery.
- Reading a manufacturer performance chart
- Cross-reference weight, temperature, and altitude to estimate hover time, max payload, and wind limits before flying.
- ADM (Aeronautical Decision-Making)
- A systematic approach to consistently determining the best course of action in response to a given set of circumstances during an operation.
- The 5 hazardous attitudes
- Anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, and resignation — recognized so the pilot can apply the matching antidote.
- Anti-authority — antidote
- 'Don't tell me!' Antidote: 'Follow the rules. They are usually right.'
- Impulsivity — antidote
- 'Do something quickly!' Antidote: 'Not so fast. Think first.'
- Invulnerability — antidote
- 'It won't happen to me.' Antidote: 'It could happen to me.'
- Macho — antidote
- 'I can do it.' Antidote: 'Taking chances is foolish.'
- Resignation — antidote
- 'What's the use?' Antidote: 'I'm not helpless. I can make a difference.'
- CRM (Crew Resource Management)
- Effective use of all available resources — people (visual observers), equipment, and information — to conduct a safe operation.
- PAVE checklist
- A risk-assessment model: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures — used during preflight planning to identify hazards.
- IMSAFE checklist
- A personal-fitness self-assessment: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion.
- DECIDE model
- Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, Evaluate — a continuous decision-making loop for in-flight risk management.
- Visual line of sight (VLOS) — 107.31
- The remote PIC or visual observer must be able to see the aircraft at all times with vision unaided (corrective lenses are allowed).
- Visual observer (VO) — 107.33
- A crewmember who helps the remote PIC see and avoid other aircraft and hazards; the VO and RPIC must maintain effective communication.
- Operations over people (107.39)
- Flying over people not directly participating is prohibited unless the operation meets one of the Subpart D operational categories (1–4) or has a waiver.
- Category 1 (ops over people)
- A drone weighing 0.55 lb (250 g) or less with no exposed rotating parts that can lacerate skin may fly over people.
- Category 2 (ops over people)
- Heavier drones that cannot cause injury above a defined impact-energy threshold and have no lacerating parts, with a declaration of compliance.
- Category 3 (ops over people)
- Drones with a higher injury threshold that may not operate over open-air assemblies and only over people within a restricted/closed-access site.
- Category 4 (ops over people)
- Drones holding an airworthiness certificate and operated per their approved flight manual / operating limitations.
- Operations over moving vehicles (107.145)
- Sustained flight over moving vehicles is permitted only if the drone meets a Category 1–4 standard and the people are in a restricted-access area or transiting.
- Preflight inspection (107.49)
- Before flight the RPIC must assess the operating environment, check the aircraft for airworthiness, verify control links and power, and ensure all crew are briefed.
- Airworthiness
- The condition of the aircraft (and its control station, links, and software) being safe and ready for flight; the RPIC is responsible for ensuring it before each operation.
- Condition for safe operation (107.15)
- No person may operate a small UAS unless it is in a condition for safe operation; the RPIC must discontinue flight if a hazard arises.
- Lost-link procedure
- The pre-programmed action a drone takes when it loses the control signal (e.g., hover, return-to-home, or land) — know it before flying.
- Flyaway
- An uncommanded departure of the drone from controlled flight; mitigate with geofencing, RTH settings, and avoiding interference.
- Return-to-home (RTH)
- An automated function that flies the drone back to its launch point; verify the home point and a clear return path before relying on it.
- GPS interference / magnetic interference
- Flying near large metal structures or power lines can disrupt the compass/GPS, causing erratic behavior — calibrate and keep clear.
- Radio communications at non-towered airports
- Monitor and self-announce on the CTAF to maintain awareness of manned traffic in the pattern when operating near a non-towered field.
- Phonetic alphabet
- Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta… — used in radio communication to spell letters clearly over the air.
- Reading back / situational awareness
- Maintaining a continuous mental picture of the aircraft, environment, traffic, and hazards throughout the operation.
- Maintenance and inspection (107.15, 107.49)
- Follow the manufacturer's maintenance procedures; if no procedure exists, use sound judgment to keep the aircraft in a condition for safe operation.
- Recordkeeping for maintenance
- Keep records of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, repairs, and firmware updates to track the aircraft's airworthiness over time.
- Vision and scanning
- Use systematic outside scanning; central vision detects detail, peripheral vision detects motion — important for spotting traffic and the drone.
- Night vision considerations
- It takes about 30 minutes to fully adapt to darkness; use off-center viewing and avoid bright light to preserve night vision for night ops.
- Fatigue
- A physiological hazard that degrades attention, judgment, and reaction time; assess it with IMSAFE and do not fly when impaired.
- Stress
- Physical or psychological pressure that narrows attention and degrades decision-making; recognize and mitigate it before operating.
- Dehydration and heat stress
- Loss of body fluids that reduces alertness and physical performance; stay hydrated, especially during long outdoor operations.
- Drugs and alcohol (physiology)
- Both impair judgment and coordination; do not fly within 8 hours of alcohol, while impaired, or with a BAC of 0.04% or more.
- Hyperventilation
- Excessive breathing (often from stress) that lowers carbon dioxide, causing dizziness and tingling; slow the breathing rate to recover.
- Emergency action and risk to people
- If an emergency requires it, the RPIC may deviate from any Part 107 rule to the extent necessary to meet the emergency (107.21).
- Crew briefing
- Before flight the RPIC briefs all participants on the operation, their roles, hazards, communication, and emergency procedures (107.49).
- Effective communication with a VO
- The RPIC and visual observer must maintain effective communication (verbal or with a device) so they can coordinate at all times.
- Avoiding manned aircraft
- When a manned aircraft approaches, the remote pilot must yield and, if necessary, descend or land the drone immediately.
- Geofencing
- Manufacturer software that restricts a drone from entering certain airspace or beyond set boundaries; a safeguard, not a substitute for the pilot's judgment.
- Battery failsafe / low-battery RTH
- An automated response when battery falls below a threshold, commanding the drone to return or land before power is exhausted.
- Site survey
- Inspecting the operating area for obstacles, people, airspace, and emergency-landing options as part of preflight planning.
- Compass / IMU calibration
- Calibrating the drone's sensors before flight, away from metal and magnetic interference, to ensure stable, accurate flight control.
- Control station
- The interface (transmitter/ground station) the RPIC uses to control the aircraft; minimum flight visibility is measured from it.
- Yielding vs. see-and-avoid
- Because the drone yields to all aircraft, the remote pilot must continuously scan and be ready to maneuver clear of any traffic.
- Hazards of operating near wires/towers
- Low-altitude flight risks collision with unmarked wires, guy lines, and towers; survey and maintain clearance from all obstacles.
- Decision to cancel a flight (go/no-go)
- Using ADM and the PAVE/IMSAFE checklists to decide whether the combined risks make the operation unsafe — and calling it off if they do.
- Effects of medication
- Over-the-counter and prescription medications can impair performance; the 'M' in IMSAFE — check before flying.
- Spatial disorientation (operator)
- Confusing the drone's orientation relative to the pilot (especially flying toward yourself); maintain VLOS and orientation references.
- Effect of external pressure
- The 'E' in PAVE — pressure to complete a job (client, deadline, weather window) that can push a pilot into unsafe decisions.
- Risk management
- The ongoing process of identifying hazards, assessing their likelihood and severity, and applying controls to reduce risk to an acceptable level.
- Single-pilot resource management
- Applying CRM principles when operating alone — managing tasks, automation, and workload to maintain safe control.
- Loss of orientation due to sun glare
- Bright sun can wash out the drone and a display; position to keep the aircraft visible and the screen readable.
- Pre-takeoff systems check
- Confirm GPS lock, battery level, control link, gimbal/camera, and a clear launch area before lifting off.
- Documentation onboard / available
- Have the Remote Pilot Certificate, registration, and any waivers available for inspection during the operation (107.7).
- Operating limitations of the aircraft
- Know the manufacturer's wind, temperature, altitude, and range limits and operate within them at all times.
- Interference from radio frequency sources
- Nearby transmitters, Wi-Fi, and power equipment can disrupt the 2.4/5.8 GHz control link — avoid them and watch for signal loss.
- Conducting a hover/control check
- After takeoff, hover briefly to verify stable, responsive control before proceeding with the mission.
- Crew rest and workload
- Manage fatigue and task saturation; a well-rested, focused crew makes better decisions and reacts faster to emergencies.
- Sterile-cockpit concept
- Limiting non-essential conversation and distractions during critical phases (takeoff, landing, close-to-obstacle work).
- Emergency landing site selection
- Identify clear areas away from people and property for an immediate landing if the operation must be terminated.
- Post-flight inspection
- After landing, inspect the aircraft, props, and battery for damage and log any issues to keep the drone airworthy for the next flight.
- Privacy and local considerations
- Beyond FAA rules, operate with awareness of state/local privacy laws and the safety of bystanders — sound judgment is part of being PIC.
- Final authority of the remote PIC (107.19)
- The remote pilot in command is the final authority for the operation and must refuse or terminate any flight that cannot be conducted safely.
