UA.I.B.K4: Responsibility and authority of the remote PIC.

ACS Area I — Regulations Task B: Operating Rules References: 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. parts 47, 48, 89, and 107, subpart B; ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22

Key Concepts

Core Authority of the Remote PIC (§107)

• Final Authority and Responsibility: The remote pilot in command (remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation.) holds ultimate responsibility for the safe operation of the small unmanned aircraft, similar to manned aircraft PICPilot in CommandCloseThe person responsible for the flight. Under Part 107, this is usually the remote pilot in command. authority. This includes making operational decisions such as launching, continuing, modifying, or aborting an operation, and justifying these decisions under Part 107’s safety rules (§ 107.19).^[1]

• Certification and Supervision: Only individuals with a remote pilot certificate with a small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. rating can act as remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation.. Those manipulating controls must either hold this certificate or be under direct supervision of a certificated remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. who can take immediate control. The remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must have the certificate and identification accessible during flight. Operating or acting as a remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. or visual observer (VOVisual ObserverCloseA person who helps the remote PIC see and avoid hazards during a drone operation.) for more than one small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. simultaneously is prohibited (§§ 107.12, 107.7, 107.67, 107.35). Control can be transferred between certificated remote PICs if both maintain visual line of sight.^[1][7]

• Airworthiness and Registration: The remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must ensure the small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. is safe for operation before flight and discontinue if it becomes unsafe (§ 107.15). Operations must also comply with registration requirements (§ 107.13, referencing § 91.203(a)(2)). These duties should be part of your preflight and go/no-go process.^[7]

Preflight and In-Flight Responsibilities

• Preflight Assessment and Crew Coordination: Before operations, the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must conduct a preflight familiarization, inspection, and other actions as required by § 107.49. This includes assessing local weather, airspace, flight restrictions, locations of nonparticipants, potential for nonparticipants to enter the area, and eligibility for operations over people or moving vehicles. Use current charts or tools like B4UFLYB4UFLYCloseFAA-recognized planning tool for checking nearby airspace and flight restrictions before a drone flight. to evaluate airspace and restrictions.^[5]

• Weather Minima and Cloud Clearance: Visibility from the control station must be at least 3 statute miles. The aircraft must remain 500 feet below and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds, and cannot be operated above any cloud. There must be no obstructions to visibility between the aircraft and the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation.. If aviation weather reports are unavailable, determine visibility and cloud clearance by other reliable means (§ 107.39 referenced). Memorize the 3 sm, 500 ft below, 2,000 ft horizontal figures.^[6]

• See-and-Avoid and Yielding to Other Aircraft: The remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must ensure the small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. remains clear of and yields to all other aircraft (§ 107.37). Maintain situational awareness of your aircraft’s position, nearby traffic, and people/property, and maneuver to avoid conflicts.^[6]

Compliance for Remote ID and Operations Over People

• Remote ID Compliance: After September 16, 2023, unmanned aircraft operations in U.S. airspace must meet § 89.110 (standard Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace.) or § 89.115 (Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. broadcast module) requirements, unless otherwise authorized (§ 89.105). Verify Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. functionality before launch if subject to Part 89.^[4]

• Broadcast Module Requirements: A Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. broadcast module must broadcast specific message elements, including UA identity, latitude/longitude, geometric altitude, velocity, takeoff location, and a UTC time mark (§ 89.315). The module must self-test before takeoff, continuously monitor for malfunctions, synchronize the time mark, determine takeoff location, and be tamper-resistant (§ 89.320). Ensure the module passes preflight self-test and broadcasts required elements.^[8]

• Operations Over People (OOP): The remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. is responsible for determining safe operational parameters for OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios.. For Category 2 or 3 eligibility, comply with the manufacturer’s remote pilot operating instructions; unauthorized modifications or payloads can invalidate eligibility. Preflight for OOPOperations Over PeopleClosePart 107 rules for flying over people, open-air assemblies, and related scenarios. should consider people’s locations and elevated risks.^[3][2]

Practical Takeaway: The remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. is the accountable safety decision-maker. Conduct disciplined preflight assessments, verify airspace and Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. compliance, brief and supervise your crew, enforce weather and see-and-avoid minima, and be prepared to transfer or terminate control to preserve safety.