Question

Which of the following events is considered a flyaway?

1) Loss of link between the remote PIC and the unmanned aircraft
2) Loss of communication link between the remote PIC and ATC
3) Unmanned aircraft does not respond to control inputs and does not execute known lost link maneuvers

Answer 1

A flyaway in unmanned aircraft operations is characterized by the loss of link between the remote Pilot in Command (PIC) and the unmanned aircraft. This occurs when the unmanned aircraft no longer receives or responds to control signals from the remote PIC, resulting in the potential for unpredictable and unsafe flight.

Step-by-step explanation:

When addressing the question of which event is considered a flyaway, one must understand the context of unmanned aircraft operation. In this scenario, a flyaway refers to the following event:

1. Loss of link between the remote Pilot in Command (PIC) and the unmanned aircraft.

This event signifies that the unmanned aircraft is no longer receiving or responding to control inputs from the remote PIC. This can lead to situations where the drone behaves unpredictably, potentially causing unsafe conditions. While loss of communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) is serious, it is not categorized as a flyaway. Additionally, if an unmanned aircraft does not respond to control inputs but still executes known lost link maneuvers, it is following a predefined safety protocol, which is different from a flyaway event.