A remote PIC flies from a pickup truck moving along a pipeline over a sparsely populated area. No property is carried. The truck will drive ahead of the aircraft, and the pilot plans to track it only on the camera feed, with no visual observer. According to AC 107-2A, is this acceptable?
- AYes, because §107.25 allows moving-vehicle operations over sparsely populated areas
- BNo, because the remote PIC operating from a moving vehicle is still required to maintain VLOS
- CYes, as long as the truck stays within 3 statute miles of the aircraft
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. No, because the remote PIC operating from a moving vehicle is still required to maintain VLOS
Operating from a moving vehicle over a sparsely populated area does not relieve the remote PIC of the other part 107 rules. AC 107-2A 5.14.1 says the remote PIC operating from a moving vehicle is still required to maintain VLOS, so tracking the aircraft only on a camera feed is not acceptable.
- A. Incorrect. Wrong. §107.25 allows the moving-vehicle operation itself, but AC 107-2A 5.14.1 says the remote PIC operating from a moving vehicle is still required to maintain VLOS.
- B. Correct. AC 107-2A 5.14.1: the operation is subject to the same restrictions as other part 107 operations, and the remote PIC operating from a moving vehicle must still maintain VLOS. A camera feed does not meet §107.31.
- C. Incorrect. Wrong. Part 107 sets no such distance allowance. The 3 statute mile figure is the minimum flight visibility of §107.51(c), not a VLOS substitute.
Source
AC 107-2A Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), 5.14.1 The operation is subject to the same restrictions that apply to all other part 107 operations. The remote PIC operating from a moving vehicle is still required to maintain VLOS.