FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Regulations (14 CFR 61/91)Medium
A pilot wants to drop advertising leaflets over a sparsely populated rural area from their airplane. According to 14 CFR 91.15, under what condition is this operation permitted?
- AIt is permitted only at night when population density is presumed lower
- BDropping objects from an aircraft in flight is never permitted under any circumstances
- CIt is permitted only over designated federal drop zones approved by the FAA
- DIt is permitted only if the pilot in command takes reasonable precautions to avoid injury or damage to persons or property on the surface
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. It is permitted only if the pilot in command takes reasonable precautions to avoid injury or damage to persons or property on the surface
14 CFR 91.15 permits the dropping of objects from an aircraft in flight, provided reasonable precautions are taken by the pilot in command to avoid injury or damage to persons or property on the surface. There is no requirement for a designated drop zone or nighttime operation.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Time of day is not a factor specified in the regulation.
- B. Dropping objects is not universally prohibited; it is permitted with reasonable precautions.
- C. There is no requirement to use FAA-designated drop zones under 91.15.
Dropping Objects (91.15)
Objects may be dropped from an aircraft in flight if the pilot in command takes reasonable precautions to avoid injury or damage to persons or property on the surface.
- No blanket prohibition on dropping objects
- PIC must take 'reasonable precautions'
- No requirement for FAA-designated drop zones
Memory trick: Drop it? Fine — just don't drop it on someone's head.