A remote pilot arrives at a job site where a ground crew member has already assembled the aircraft and says it is ready to fly. The client asks the pilot to launch immediately. What does 14 CFR § 107.49 require?
AThe pilot may rely on the crew member's confirmation if that person is experienced with the aircraft
BThe remote pilot in command must personally verify the aircraft is in a safe operating condition before each flight, regardless of who assembled it or any time pressure✓
CA verbal confirmation from a crew member satisfies the preflight requirement under Part 107
Why →Under 14 CFR § 107.49, the remote pilot in command is responsible for ensuring the aircraft is in a safe operating condition prior to each flight. This responsibility cannot be delegated to a ground crew member or waived due to schedule pressure. The PIC must personally perform the preflight check before launch.
The trap →Having someone else assemble the aircraft does not transfer the airworthiness determination. Under Part 107, the remote PIC owns the preflight inspection regardless of who prepared the equipment.
Field note →Build a consistent preflight routine that takes 2 to 3 minutes. A brief, systematic check done every time is far more reliable than a variable check that gets compressed under time pressure.
SOURCE → 14 CFR § 107.49; 14 CFR § 107.19CHECKED JUL 16ACS V.F.K2MED