FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)OperationsHard
A commercial mapping company wants a single remote pilot in command to simultaneously act as PIC for two sUAS flying parallel survey lines to reduce mission time. Under 14 CFR Part 107, is this permitted without a waiver?
- AYes, as long as each aircraft has its own dedicated visual observer
- BNo, 14 CFR 107.35 prohibits a person from manipulating the flight controls of or acting as PIC for more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time
- CYes, provided the two aircraft remain within 400 feet of each other at all times
- DYes, as long as both aircraft stay within the visual line of sight of the remote PIC
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. No, 14 CFR 107.35 prohibits a person from manipulating the flight controls of or acting as PIC for more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time
Section 107.35 explicitly prohibits a person from being PIC or manipulating the controls of more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time; simultaneous multi-aircraft operations by a single PIC require a waiver of this provision.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Visual observers do not override the one-aircraft-per-PIC restriction.
- C. Proximity between aircraft does not change the one-PIC-per-aircraft rule.
- D. Even if both are within VLOS, simultaneous PIC duties for two aircraft are still prohibited without a waiver.
One Aircraft Per PIC (107.35)
A remote PIC may not manipulate the controls of, or act as PIC for, more than one unmanned aircraft at the same time, unless a waiver of 107.35 is obtained.
- 107.35 limits PIC to one aircraft at a time
- Multiple simultaneous operations require a waiver
- Visual observers do not remove this restriction
Memory trick: 'One pilot, one drone' — no juggling controls without a waiver.