FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)OperationsHard
During a commercial roof inspection, a remote pilot in command intentionally flies the sUAS low over a group of pedestrians on a public sidewalk who are not participating in the operation, in order to save time repositioning the aircraft. No waiver for operations over people is held. What regulation does this action most directly violate?
- A14 CFR 107.9, the accident reporting requirement
- B14 CFR 107.23, prohibiting careless or reckless operation
- C14 CFR 107.31, the visual line of sight requirement
- D14 CFR 107.29, the daylight operation requirement
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. 14 CFR 107.23, prohibiting careless or reckless operation
14 CFR 107.23 prohibits operating a sUAS in a careless or reckless manner that endangers the life or property of another. Deliberately flying over non-participating people without meeting the operations-over-people category requirements or holding a waiver creates an unnecessary hazard and constitutes careless or reckless operation.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 107.9 applies only after an accident occurs, not to the act of flying over people.
- C. Nothing in the scenario indicates the sUAS left visual line of sight.
- D. 107.29 concerns night operations, which is unrelated to this daytime scenario.
Careless or Reckless Operation (107.23)
Prohibits operating a sUAS in a manner that endangers the life or property of another, including unauthorized flight over non-participants without proper category compliance or waiver.
- Applies broadly to any hazardous operation
- Includes hazardous object drops from the aircraft
- Violations can occur even without an actual accident
Memory trick: 'Reckless over heads = regulation dread.'