What action should the remote PIC take upon GPS signal loss?

What action should the remote PIC take upon GPS signal loss?

• A. Follow normal sUAS operational procedures, noting any mode or control changes that normally occur if GPS is lost
• B. Abandon mission immediately
• C. Switch to manual flight and ignore procedures
• D. Seek a power reset from maintenance

Answer: (A)

When GPS signal is lost, you must rely on the established SOP for GPS loss and be ready for the flight controller to transition into a degraded mode. This means you anticipate how the aircraft will behave—usually it will move from a GPS-based position hold to a mode that relies on attitude and other sensors rather than satellites. Your job as the remote PIC is to maintain control with smooth, deliberate inputs, monitor altitude and attitude, and follow the checklist for GPS loss to bring the aircraft to a safe state or land if needed. This approach keeps the aircraft stable and minimizes risk while you determine the safest course of action. Abandoning the mission, switching to manual flight and ignoring procedures, or asking for a power reset from maintenance are not appropriate first steps. Those options bypass or misunderstand the standard response to GPS loss and can create unnecessary danger or unnecessary delays.

When GPS signal is lost, you must rely on the established SOP for GPS loss and be ready for the flight controller to transition into a degraded mode. This means you anticipate how the aircraft will behave—usually it will move from a GPS-based position hold to a mode that relies on attitude and other sensors rather than satellites. Your job as the remote PIC is to maintain control with smooth, deliberate inputs, monitor altitude and attitude, and follow the checklist for GPS loss to bring the aircraft to a safe state or land if needed. This approach keeps the aircraft stable and minimizes risk while you determine the safest course of action.

Abandoning the mission, switching to manual flight and ignoring procedures, or asking for a power reset from maintenance are not appropriate first steps. Those options bypass or misunderstand the standard response to GPS loss and can create unnecessary danger or unnecessary delays.