Drone Pilot Practice Exam

When should a small UA operator establish a scheduled maintenance protocol?

1. After every flight

2. When a malfunction is detected

3. When the manufacturer does not provide a maintenance schedule

4. Once a year

The correct answer is: When the manufacturer does not provide a maintenance schedule

Establishing a scheduled maintenance protocol is vital for ensuring the safety and reliability of small unmanned aircraft (UA). The most appropriate situation for creating such a protocol is when the manufacturer does not provide a maintenance schedule. This indicates that the operator needs to take responsibility for maintenance planning to ensure the UA remains in optimal condition. A self-devised maintenance protocol allows the operator to set specific intervals for checks and servicing based on usage, environmental conditions, and operational experiences, which may help prevent potential failures or accidents. In scenarios where a manufacturer's guidance is absent, operators should not solely rely on other less structured maintenance cues, such as after every flight, or only when malfunctions are detected. These approaches may lead to neglecting preventative maintenance, which is critical for long-term operational safety. While an annual check might be part of a broader protocol, it doesn't address the ongoing needs of the UA throughout the year comprehensively.