Conquer the Skies with the 2025 FAA Part 107 Drone Mastery Test – Soar to Success!

Maintaining situational awareness is a critical aspect of safe drone operation under FAA Part 107 regulations. An effective method for ensuring situational awareness while flying a drone is through the use of a visual observer or by maintaining visual line of sight (VLOS).

When a pilot maintains VLOS, they can see the drone at all times without the aid of binoculars or other visual enhancement devices. This allows for immediate reaction to any obstacles, changes in the environment, or other aircraft in the vicinity. A visual observer can also assist in maintaining situational awareness by watching the drone and the surrounding airspace, enabling the pilot to focus on control and navigation without missing important visual cues. This cooperation helps reduce the risk of collisions and enhances overall safety during flight operations.

Using only GPS or relying solely on the drone’s cameras does not provide a full understanding of the surrounding environment, nor does it ensure that the pilot is aware of nearby hazards, which could lead to unsafe situations. Additionally, flying without visual contact entirely removes situational awareness and is not compliant with FAA regulations. Such practices can significantly increase the risk of accidents and are therefore not considered adequate for maintaining safety during drone operations.