When may remote pilots operate without adhering to the visual line-of-sight requirement?

Operating a UAS (unmanned aircraft system) without adhering to the visual line-of-sight requirement is permissible during automated missions. This is because automated missions are typically conducted using advanced technology that allows the UAS to navigate and complete tasks without the need for the pilot to maintain visual contact with the aircraft.

In these cases, the aircraft may be equipped with capabilities such as GPS or automated flight plans, enabling it to fly beyond the pilot's line of sight while still ensuring the operation remains within regulatory safety standards. The automation technology essentially provides the necessary data and control, allowing the aircraft to operate safely even when not directly visible to the remote pilot.

Other situations, such as using first-person view cameras, may enhance a pilot's situational awareness but do not satisfy the regulatory requirement to operate outside visual line of sight. Similarly, operating in designated rural areas does not inherently exempt pilots from visual line-of-sight regulations. Emergencies are situations that necessitate immediate action, but the regulations still generally require adherence to visual line-of-sight unless a specific exemption exists.