FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)OperationsMedium
A remote pilot in command obtains a current METAR before a planned survey flight at 350 feet AGL near an uncontrolled airfield. The METAR reports: 'VIS 2SM BKN015'. Based on this information, is the flight legal under the minimum weather requirements of 14 CFR 107.51?
- ANo, because visibility of 2 statute miles is below the required 3 statute miles
- BNo, because BKN015 indicates the sky is completely overcast
- CYes, because 350 feet AGL is below the 1,500-foot ceiling minimum
- DYes, because the cloud ceiling of 1,500 feet exceeds the 500-foot cloud clearance rule
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. No, because visibility of 2 statute miles is below the required 3 statute miles
Part 107 requires minimum flight visibility of 3 statute miles from the control station. The reported visibility of 2SM is below this minimum, making the flight illegal regardless of the cloud ceiling, which at 1,500 ft AGL would otherwise be sufficient for the 500-foot-below-cloud requirement.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. BKN (broken) means 5/8 to 7/8 sky coverage, not fully overcast (which would be OVC).
- C. Ceiling isn't the limiting factor here; visibility fails independently.
- D. Cloud clearance is fine, but visibility alone disqualifies the flight.
METAR Interpretation for Part 107
A METAR provides visibility and sky condition data used to verify compliance with the 3 statute mile visibility and 500-foot cloud clearance minimums under 107.51.
- VIS reported in statute miles
- Sky cover codes: FEW, SCT, BKN, OVC
- BKN015 = broken clouds at 1,500 ft AGL
Memory trick: 3 miles to see, 500 feet to flee below the clouds.