Who is responsible for ensuring the UAS pilot is compliant with regulations?

The responsibility for ensuring that the UAS pilot, or remote pilot in command (PIC), is compliant with regulations lies primarily with the PIC themselves. As the individual in charge of the operation, the PIC has the obligation to understand and adhere to all relevant FAA regulations, as well as any local laws or rules governing the use of unmanned aircraft systems. This includes ensuring that they have the proper certifications, conducting pre-flight checks, and maintaining situational awareness throughout the flight.

While air traffic controllers play a crucial role in providing flight guidance and ensuring safety in the skies, they do not hold responsibility for regulatory compliance of the UAS pilot. The UAS manufacturer may provide equipment and resources to assist the pilot, but ultimate compliance is not their responsibility either. Similarly, the flight operations team may support the operation logistically but does not take on the personal accountability that resides with the PIC. Therefore, it is the PIC who must be informed and proactive in fulfilling these legal obligations.