Hazardous Operations
Hazardous Operations
Commercial drone operations often take place near people, property, and other aircraft. Under Part 107, safe operation depends on sound judgment before and during every flight. The central question to ask is simple: Are you creating an unnecessary hazard?
This lesson covers careless or reckless operation, dropping objects, hazardous materials, alcohol and drugs, and right-of-way. Together, these rules are designed to reduce avoidable risk to people, property, and other aircraft.
Careless or Reckless Operations
Part 107 does not provide a checklist that identifies every careless or reckless action. Instead, it establishes a safety standard: you may not operate a small UAS in a careless or reckless manner that endangers the life or property of another.
Use common sense and sound judgment. Consider the weather, the operating environment, nearby people and property, and what could happen if the aircraft does not perform as expected.
For example, flying near buildings in gusty conditions can be risky because wind may change around structures, trees, or terrain. Similarly, operating dangerously close to pedestrians without moving to a safer area can create an unnecessary hazard.
Exam tip: Choose the action that reduces risk and best protects people, property, and other aircraft.
Dropping Objects
Part 107 does not prohibit every object drop. However, you may not allow an object to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that creates an undue hazard to persons or property.
The FAA is concerned with the way the object is released and the risk below the aircraft. Before releasing an object, consider the following:
- Who and what is below the aircraft: A release must not endanger people or damage property.
- The release location and landing area: The object should remain within a controlled, appropriate area.
- The object and method of release: The manner of release must not create an undue hazard.
A carefully planned release in a controlled, empty area may not create an undue hazard. Dropping an object over people, traffic, or nearby property may create one.
Hazardous Materials
A small unmanned aircraft operating under Part 107 may not carry hazardous material. The relevant definition comes from the Department of Transportation’s hazardous-materials regulations.
Exam rule: If a material is designated as hazardous, do not carry it on your drone during a Part 107 operation.
Alcohol and Drugs
The alcohol- and drug-related rules apply to the Remote Pilot in Command, the person manipulating the flight controls, and the visual observer.
None of these people may act or attempt to act in their role within eight hours after consuming alcohol, while under the influence of alcohol, while using a drug that affects their faculties contrary to safety, or with an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater in a blood or breath specimen.
A prescription or over-the-counter medication can be a problem if it causes drowsiness, impairs judgment, or otherwise makes the operation unsafe. Do not participate in the operation if alcohol, drugs, or medication could make you unsafe.
Remember: Eight hours, bottle to throttle.
Right-of-Way and Collision Hazards
Your drone must yield the right-of-way to other aircraft. Yielding means moving out of the way early and remaining well clear. Do not pass over, under, or ahead of another aircraft unless you are well clear, and do not operate close enough to create a collision hazard.
If you see a helicopter, airplane, balloon, or other aircraft, move away early. A drone never has priority over other aircraft.
Resource: Flightradar24
Flightradar24 is a live flight-tracking resource with iOS and Android apps. It can be useful for preflight situational awareness by helping you see reported aircraft activity near an intended operating area.
Flight-tracking data is a supplemental awareness tool only. It does not replace keeping the drone within the required visual line of sight, scanning for aircraft, yielding the right-of-way, securing required airspace authorization, or complying with any other Part 107 requirement.
Lesson Recap
- Careless or reckless operation: Do not create an unnecessary risk to life or property.
- Dropping objects: A drop is prohibited when it creates an undue hazard to persons or property.
- Hazardous materials: Do not carry materials designated as hazardous.
- Alcohol and drugs: Do not operate within eight hours of alcohol use, while impaired, while using an unsafe drug, or at a 0.04 or greater alcohol concentration.
- Right-of-way: Always yield to other aircraft and avoid creating a collision hazard.