Drone Pilot Practice Exam

Under Part 107 rules, is operating a UAV from a moving boat allowed when 14 miles off the Atlantic coast?

1. No, it is not allowed

2. Yes, only if the area is densely populated

3. Yes, as long as the area is sparsely populated

4. It requires special authorization

The correct answer is: Yes, as long as the area is sparsely populated

The correct answer is that operating a UAV from a moving boat is subject to specific restrictions, which makes the premise of the provided answer not fully aligned with the regulations. Under Part 107 rules, the operation of a drone from a moving vehicle is generally not permitted unless the vehicle is land-based and the operation occurs over a sparsely populated area. When operating from a moving boat, a pilot is required to adhere to the general stipulations regarding operation over water and maintain visual line of sight with the UAV. However, launching from a moving boat poses additional challenges that could affect control of the UAV, thereby necessitating compliance with more stringent rules unlike the case with land vehicle operations. Therefore, to operate a UAV from a moving boat, especially under circumstances of being 14 miles off the coast, specific authorization from the FAA would likely be required to ensure safety and compliance with the overarching flight regulations. This authorization is essential given the dynamic nature of operating a drone from a moving platform, which can complicate the ability to maintain control and adhere to visual line of sight requirements. Thus, recognizing the need for special authorization reflects the necessity of understanding the complexities associated with drone operations in varied environments and potential regulatory requirements.