A remote pilot wants to launch and recover her sUAS from a moving pickup truck while surveying a sparsely populated rural area for crop health, with no people other than crew present. Under Part 107, is this operation permitted?
- AYes, but only within controlled airspace with ATC authorization
- BYes, but only if the operation occurs over a sparsely populated area and does not involve transporting another person's property for compensation
- CNo, sUAS may never be operated from a moving vehicle under any circumstances
- DNo, moving vehicle operations always require a waiver
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Yes, but only if the operation occurs over a sparsely populated area and does not involve transporting another person's property for compensation
14 CFR 107.25 permits operating a sUAS from a moving land or water-borne vehicle provided the operation occurs over a sparsely populated area and the sUAS is not used to transport another person's property for compensation or hire; operations over a congested area from a moving aircraft are not addressed the same way. No waiver is required if these conditions are satisfied.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Airspace class is a separate requirement and doesn't govern the moving-vehicle rule itself.
- C. Moving vehicle operations are explicitly permitted under specific conditions, not banned outright.
- D. No waiver is needed if the sparsely populated and non-compensated-transport conditions are met.
Moving Vehicle Operations (107.25)
sUAS may be operated from a moving land or water vehicle over sparsely populated areas as long as the aircraft is not used to transport another person's property for compensation.
- Allowed over sparsely populated areas only
- Prohibited from transporting property for compensation/hire
- No waiver required if conditions met
Memory trick: 'Truck bed OK, but no crowded street, and no paid delivery treat.'