A remote pilot is flying a mapping grid over agricultural land when the wind picks up to near the aircraft's rated limit. The pilot has 4 of 12 grid passes left. A colleague who is watching says the aircraft looks stable and suggests finishing the mission. What should the pilot do?
Why →
Operating near a rated wind limit leaves no margin for gusts or localized turbulence above the reported speed. The remote PIC must assess the actual risk, including gust potential, remaining flight time, and the consequence of a control loss over agricultural equipment or irrigation infrastructure. A colleague's visual observation that the aircraft looks stable is useful data but is not a substitute for the PIC's go/no-go judgment. If there is meaningful doubt about completing the mission safely, the mission stops.The trap →
Choice A adds urgency to push through a marginal condition, which is the opposite of risk management. Rushing through the remaining passes increases the time the aircraft spends in a degraded margin environment. Choice C transfers PIC authority to an observer, which is not permitted under § 107.19.SOURCE → 14 CFR § 107.49; FAA Risk Management Handbook FAA-H-8083-2CHECKED APR 22ACS V.C.K1HARD