If UAS not functioning properly during flight, what is recommended?

• A. Continue the flight and attempt to fix in the air.
• B. Land as soon as safely possible and perform a post-flight inspection or repair.
• C. Return to base immediately without assessing the site.
• D. Notify air traffic control and request priority.

Answer: (B)

When a UAS is not functioning properly in flight, safety comes first: land as soon as it is safe to do so and inspect after landing. This minimizes the chance of a loss of control or a crash and protects people and property on the ground. Once you’ve landed, perform a post-flight inspection to identify the cause—check the battery and power connections, propellers for damage, motors, wiring, and flight-control components. Repair or replace any damaged parts before flying again, and document the issue to prevent recurrence. The other options don’t fit because continuing the flight with a fault risks a crash, returning to base without assessing the site could land you in an unsafe location or miss important checks, and notifying air traffic control for priority isn’t the standard step for a typical small UAS malfunction unless you’re in a specific controlled-airspace situation.