Who is responsible for making an airworthiness call for a UAS?

Who is responsible for making an airworthiness call for a UAS?

• A. RPIC
• B. Manufacturer
• C. Operator
• D. ATC

Answer: (A)

The person in command on the flight, the Remote Pilot in Command, is responsible for deciding if the UAS is airworthy for that mission. They must perform and verify preflight checks, confirm maintenance has been completed, and ensure critical systems are functioning—battery health, firmware and calibration status, airframe and propellers free of damage, and reliable control links with proper fail-safes. If anything isn’t ready or safe, the RPIC should cancel or postpone the flight. The manufacturer provides the design, certification, and any applicable maintenance advisories, but they don’t make the per-flight airworthiness call. The operator oversees the overall program and maintenance infrastructure, but the on-site decision to fly rests with the RPIC. Air traffic control isn’t responsible for determining airworthiness.

The person in command on the flight, the Remote Pilot in Command, is responsible for deciding if the UAS is airworthy for that mission. They must perform and verify preflight checks, confirm maintenance has been completed, and ensure critical systems are functioning—battery health, firmware and calibration status, airframe and propellers free of damage, and reliable control links with proper fail-safes. If anything isn’t ready or safe, the RPIC should cancel or postpone the flight. The manufacturer provides the design, certification, and any applicable maintenance advisories, but they don’t make the per-flight airworthiness call. The operator oversees the overall program and maintenance infrastructure, but the on-site decision to fly rests with the RPIC. Air traffic control isn’t responsible for determining airworthiness.