Which best describes the rule about giving way to manned aircraft while operating a UAS?

• A. The drone must give way at all times to manned aircraft
• B. The drone never yields to manned aircraft
• C. Only in certain weather
• D. Only when told to by ATC

Answer: (A)

Unmanned aircraft must yield the right of way to manned aircraft at all times. This is because people are on board the other aircraft, and those aircraft can be harder to detect and maneuver away from quickly, so the safe default is to give way to prevent any collision. In practice, if a manned aircraft is nearby, you should take immediate action to avoid it—alter course, slow down, or land if needed—to ensure separation. Weather or ATC instructions do not change this baseline obligation; ATC instructions must be followed, but the rule to yield remains universal. The other statements imply exceptions that aren’t true, which is why this automatic yield rule is the best description.