If ATC issues 'UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS THREE O'CLOCK, 2 MILES, WESTBOUND', where should the remote PIC look for this traffic relative to the unmanned aircraft?

If ATC issues 'UNMANNED AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS THREE O'CLOCK, 2 MILES, WESTBOUND', where should the remote PIC look for this traffic relative to the unmanned aircraft?

• A. North.
• B. East.
• C. South.
• D. West.

Answer: (A)

Three o’clock means the right-hand side of the unmanned aircraft’s nose. Since the aircraft is heading west, its right side is toward the north. So the traffic described is located to the north, about 2 miles away, moving westbound, and that’s where the remote PIC should look. To see how this changes with different headings: 3 o’clock points east when heading north, south when heading east, west when heading south, and north when heading west.

Three o’clock means the right-hand side of the unmanned aircraft’s nose. Since the aircraft is heading west, its right side is toward the north. So the traffic described is located to the north, about 2 miles away, moving westbound, and that’s where the remote PIC should look.

To see how this changes with different headings: 3 o’clock points east when heading north, south when heading east, west when heading south, and north when heading west.