What are the weather minimums for operating a sUAS under Part 107?

When operating a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) under Part 107, the regulation specifies that a remote pilot must maintain a flight visibility of at least 3 statute miles. This minimum visibility is crucial for ensuring that the pilot can visually maintain situational awareness of the sUAS and any surrounding obstacles or other aircraft, thereby promoting safety in the national airspace.

Maintaining a visibility threshold helps pilots assess their environment effectively, as it allows for the recognition of other traffic, terrain, and changing weather conditions. Although various other visibility requirements are set for different aviation operations, the specific requirement of 3 statute miles aligns with the principles of visual line of sight (VLOS) operations that Part 107 stipulates for remote pilots flying for commercial purposes.