How must a remote pilot maintain situational awareness during a flight?

Maintaining situational awareness is crucial for remote pilots to ensure the safety and efficacy of their flight operations. Keeping the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) within visual line of sight is an essential practice that allows the pilot to actively monitor the drone's position, altitude, orientation, and surroundings, which is vital for avoiding obstacles and other aircraft.

When a pilot maintains visual line of sight, they can better interpret the environment and make rapid, informed decisions based on real-time observations. This approach helps in recognizing changes in weather conditions, understanding the movement of other aircraft, and being aware of any hazards in the area, all of which are critical components of safe flight operation.

On the other hand, relying solely on automated systems, smartphones, or air traffic control could compromise situational awareness. Automated flight logs and smartphone screens may provide useful information, but they cannot replace the comprehensive awareness gained through direct visual observation. Similarly, depending completely on air traffic control may not provide the immediate awareness a pilot needs to respond to unexpected situations that might arise during flight. Overall, maintaining visual line of sight is not just a regulatory requirement; it is a fundamental practice for the safety of the flight and those in the surrounding environment.