A remote pilot and visual observer disagree about whether an obstacle clearance during a flight is adequate. The VO believes the aircraft is too close to a rooftop; the pilot believes there is sufficient margin based on the camera feed. Who has final authority and what should happen?

Question

Accepted Answer

The remote PIC has final authority, but a VO safety call about obstacle clearance should be treated as a stop signal until the PIC can verify clearance independently. Under § 107.19, the remote PIC holds final authority for the operation. However, CRM principles require that safety-critical input from a crew member be acknowledged and evaluated before dismissing it. A VO's obstacle clearance warning is exactly the kind of safety-critical call that should trigger an immediate pause, not a debate. The PIC verifies, then makes the call. Dismissing a VO warning without verification is a documented CRM failure pattern in aviation accidents.

Answer

The remote PIC has final authority. The pilot should note the VO's concern but proceed based on their own assessment

Answer

The visual observer has authority over obstacle avoidance calls since that is their designated function