FAA 107 Commercial Drone Pilot Practice Exam

What equipment is necessary for a flight crew member to use VLOS?

1. Binoculars for enhanced vision

2. Authorized visual aids only

3. Corrective lenses if needed

4. Radar tracking devices

The correct answer is: Corrective lenses if needed

For a flight crew member to maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) while operating a drone, the use of corrective lenses, if needed, is essential to ensure that the pilot can adequately see and monitor the drone’s flight path and surroundings. VLOS requires the pilot to keep the drone within a distance that allows for clear visual observation, which may necessitate the use of corrective lenses for those who have visual impairments. This means that, while visual aids might enhance the ability to see the drone, the primary requirement is that the pilot must have suitable vision to observe the drone without the reliance on instruments or other devices that would impede the ability to maintain immediate visual contact. Such clear vision is critical for safe drone operation and situational awareness in the airspace. Binoculars, authorized visual aids, and radar tracking devices, while potentially useful tools in certain scenarios, do not directly satisfy the legal requirement for VLOS as they could interrupt the necessary direct visual connection with the aircraft, which is primarily the pilot’s responsibility.