RPAS Crew Roles & Responsibilities
This crew member holds ultimate responsibility for the safe and lawful operation of the RPAS.
Remote Pilot‑in‑Command (RPIC)
What does the 'Objectives' step in the pre-mission briefing framework require you to state?
Clearly state the mission’s purpose and the specific outcomes the crew must achieve.
What does situation awareness denote in UAS operations?
Crew member’s accurate, continuous understanding of what is happening around the aircraft, the crew, and the mission environment.
What is the purpose of task-sharing among remote pilots?
Reduce individual workload and improve overall mission safety and effectiveness.
What is the first step in the Mission Debrief Framework (4Rs)?
Record
Capturing the facts of the mission exactly as they occurred
This role requires strong communication skills and visual acuity to maintain visual contact with the aircraft.
Answers may vary:
Maintaining continuous visual contact with the RPAS
Which step involves establishing and communicating the physical boundaries for the area of operation?
Restrictions
Name one barrier to situation awareness in UAS operations.
Answers may vary:
Task Saturation - When a pilot or crew member becomes overloaded with too many tasks
List one step in prioritizing tasks for remote pilots.
Identify and address the most safety‑critical tasks first.
Who is responsible for conducting the After-Action Report?
Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC)
Which crew member collaborates with the RPIC to provide vital support during operation?
Visual Observer (VO)
What is the purpose of discussing contingency plans during a pre-mission briefing?
Ensures the crew is prepared to respond quickly, safely, and consistently if something goes wrong.
Why is complacency considered a barrier in UAS operations?
It reduces vigilance and weakens the crew’s ability to detect hazards or changes in the environment
In the Aviate, Navigate, Communicate framework, what does 'Aviate' emphasize?
“Aviate” emphasizes maintaining control of the aircraft above all else.
Stable, safe, and under positive control
Name one benefit of After-Action Reports.
Answers will vary:
Captures lessons learned to improve future missions.
Name one key responsibility of the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC).
Ensure the safe and lawful operation of the RPAS throughout the entire mission.
Why is it important to solicit input from crew members during the pre-mission briefing?
It strengthens safety, awareness, and team performance in ways a single person can’t achieve alone.
How does poor communication impact situation awareness?
It breaks the flow of information the crew needs to understand what is happening and what might happen next.
What tool is used to assess wind conditions at the launch and recovery site?
Anemometer
What type of information is included in a pilot logbook?
Answers will vary:
Date, location, and duration of each flight.
Who is responsible for ensuring the optimal functioning and longevity of RPAS equipment?
To the Maintenance Technician (sometimes called the RPAS Maintainer or Equipment Technician).
Name one environmental condition that should be addressed in the pre-mission briefing.
Answers will vary:
Wind speed and direction
What is the impact of fatigue on operator performance?
Degrades operator performance
What is the main goal of flight rehearsal (chair flying) for error reduction?
Flight rehearsal (chair flying)
Mentally practice the mission so the pilot can reduce errors by building automatic, well‑sequenced actions before the actual flight.
Why are operational records vital for post-flight analysis?
Provide the factual data needed to evaluate mission performance, ensure compliance, and extract actionable insights for improvement.