FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)OperationsMedium
A remote pilot is conducting a sUAS flight for a commercial video shoot. During the flight, a manned aircraft unexpectedly enters the sUAS's operating area from the right. What is the remote pilot's primary responsibility in this situation?
- AMaintain altitude and direction, as the sUAS has the right-of-way over manned aircraft below 400 feet AGL.
- BNotify air traffic control (ATC) of the manned aircraft's presence and await instructions.
- CActivate the sUAS's 'return-to-home' function and land it as quickly as possible.
- DImmediately maneuver the sUAS to a safe distance and yield the right-of-way to the manned aircraft.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Immediately maneuver the sUAS to a safe distance and yield the right-of-way to the manned aircraft.
14 CFR Part 107.37 (a) states that 'Each small unmanned aircraft must yield the right-of-way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles.' The remote pilot's primary responsibility is to avoid a collision by maneuvering the sUAS to a safe distance and yielding the right-of-way to the manned aircraft, regardless of its direction of approach.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is incorrect. sUAS must always yield to manned aircraft.
- B. While ATC notification might be appropriate in some controlled airspace scenarios, the immediate priority is collision avoidance by yielding, not waiting for instructions.
- C. Activating return-to-home or landing might not be the most immediate or safest evasive maneuver in a dynamic encounter; direct manual control to yield is paramount.
sUAS Right-of-Way
Under 14 CFR Part 107.37, a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) must always yield the right-of-way to all manned aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles.
- sUAS always yields to manned aircraft.
- Primary responsibility is collision avoidance.
- Applies regardless of airspace class or altitude.
Memory trick: Small drones 'S'urrender 'S'pace to 'S'uperior 'S'ize.