FAA 107 Commercial Drone Pilot Practice Exam

What should be the pilot's approach when operating a small UAS near people?

1. Maintaining a high altitude without concern for visibility

2. Ensuring to fly at the maximum weight capacity

3. Taking precautions to minimize risk to bystanders

4. Avoiding all interactions with people entirely

The correct answer is: Taking precautions to minimize risk to bystanders

The approach when operating a small UAS near people should center on taking precautions to minimize risk to bystanders. This is a fundamental principle of safe drone operations prescribed by the FAA. When flying in proximity to people, pilots must conduct operations that consider the potential hazards and implement strategies to mitigate those risks. This can include maintaining a safe distance from crowds, flying under controlled conditions, and being aware of the drone’s capabilities, including its ability to respond to emergencies or avoid obstacles. The operation of drones involves not only the pilot's control but also consideration for the safety of others. The responsibility is to ensure that bystanders are not harmed and that the aircraft is operated within the safety guidelines outlined for commercial use, particularly when people are present. While avoiding all interactions with people might seem safe, it is not practical or necessarily required under standard operating procedures, especially in situations where some interaction is unavoidable. Similarly, maintaining a high altitude without concern for visibility could lead to other issues such as loss of control or inability to adequately monitor the environment. Operating at maximum weight capacity can impair maneuverability and increase the risk of failure, compromising safety rather than enhancing it. Hence, the emphasis should be on the active management of risk through thoughtful operational practices.