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Coordinated duties of the crew and visual observer

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 8 of 15 on Operations / Aeronautical Decision-Making. ACS element UA.V.D.K1a · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONDuring a flight with a visual observer, the remote pilot in command, the person manipulating the flight controls, and the visual observer must coordinate under § 107.33(c) to scan the airspace for collision hazards and to

  1. Amonitor the control tower frequency and relay ATC instructions to the pilot.
  2. Btrack the aircraft's position on the ground control station map display at all times.
  3. Cmaintain awareness of the aircraft's position through direct visual observation.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. maintain awareness of the aircraft's position through direct visual observation.

  • A — incorrect § 107.33 does not assign any radio monitoring or relay duty to the crew; its coordination requirements concern scanning the airspace and visually tracking the aircraft.
  • B — incorrect The regulation requires awareness of position through direct visual observation, not through a map display on the ground control station.
  • C — correct § 107.33(c)(2) requires the crew to coordinate to maintain awareness of the position of the small unmanned aircraft through direct visual observation.

BACKGROUND

§ 107.33 governs operations in which a visual observer (VO) is used. Paragraph (c) requires the remote pilot in command, the person manipulating the flight controls, and the VO to coordinate on two tasks: scanning the airspace where the small unmanned aircraft is operating for any potential collision hazard, and maintaining awareness of the position of the aircraft through direct visual observation. This matches § 107.31, which requires the aircraft to be seen with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses. Coordinating these duties is a practical example of team communication in a small UAS crew.

STUDY TIP

Pair the two coordination duties in § 107.33(c) together: scan for collision hazards and keep the aircraft in direct visual observation.

KEY POINTS

  • § 107.33(c) lists two duties the crew must coordinate.
  • One is scanning the operating airspace for potential collision hazards.
  • The other is maintaining awareness of the aircraft's position through direct visual observation.

SOURCES

  • 14 CFR 107.33(c)
  • 14 CFR 107.31(a)
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MORE ON OPERATIONS / AERONAUTICAL DECISION-MAKING

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on 14 CFR part 107, 14 CFR part 89, and the FAA Remote Pilot – Small UAS Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22). Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.