Understanding the Importance of Maintaining Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) in Drone Flying

In the scope of drone flying, maintaining visual line of sight (VLOS) with your drone at all times is not just good advice, it’s the main rule. This applies to both professional part 107 pilots and recreational enthusiasts. The exact boundaries of this rule can be perplexing since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hasn’t defined a specific maximum distance for VLOS. This is largely due to varying factors including drone size, weather, eyesight quality, and potential obstacles. The bottom line: Your primary task when operating a drone is to “see-and-avoid” other aircraft. Your drone must be the sole focus, not the view provided by the camera. Whether it’s you or your visual observer (VO), always make certain your eyes are on the drone.

Find the full article discussing VLOS on page 24 of the FAA Safety Briefing