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Knowing aircraft location after GPS loss

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 15 of 19 on Operations / Emergency Procedures. ACS element UA.V.C.K4 · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONA small unmanned aircraft loses its GPS positioning during flight, so the ground control station no longer displays the aircraft's location. Under § 107.31, how must the remote pilot in command continue to know where the aircraft is?

  1. ABy seeing the aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses
  2. BBy tracking the aircraft through the first-person-view camera feed or binoculars until GPS returns
  3. CBy relying on the last GPS position shown on the ground control station
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. By seeing the aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses

  • A — correct § 107.31(a) requires the remote pilot in command to be able to see the unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight, with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, in order to know its location.
  • B — incorrect Binoculars and camera feeds are devices other than corrective lenses, so they cannot substitute for the unaided visual line of sight required by § 107.31(a).
  • C — incorrect A stale GPS position does not satisfy the requirement to see the aircraft and know its current location.

BACKGROUND

Many small unmanned aircraft use the Global Positioning System (GPS) for position hold, navigation, and the map display on the ground control station. If the GPS signal is lost, those functions may fail, but the remote pilot's legal means of knowing the aircraft's location does not change. Section 107.31(a) requires the remote pilot in command, the visual observer if one is used, and the person manipulating the controls to be able to see the unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight, with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses. That visual line of sight is what lets the pilot know the aircraft's location, determine its attitude, altitude, and direction of flight, observe the airspace for other traffic or hazards, and determine that it does not endanger others.

STUDY TIP

Treat GPS as a convenience, not a substitute: § 107.31 makes unaided visual line of sight the required way to know where the aircraft is.

KEY POINTS

  • § 107.31(a) requires seeing the aircraft with vision unaided except by corrective lenses.
  • Visual line of sight is how the pilot knows location, attitude, altitude, and direction of flight.
  • Loss of GPS does not relax the visual line of sight requirement.

SOURCES

  • 14 CFR 107.31(a)
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MORE ON OPERATIONS / EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

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.