What is the main purpose of the Remote Pilot in Command during flight?

The primary responsibility of the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) during flight is to monitor the safety of the aircraft. This encompasses a wide range of critical tasks, including ensuring that the flight operates within legal and operational parameters, maintaining situational awareness of the aircraft's environment, and being prepared to respond to any potential hazards or emergencies.

The safety monitoring aspect emphasizes the RPIC's role in overseeing not just the technical operation of the unmanned aircraft but also its interaction with other air traffic and the ground environment. This is essential for the safe operation of the aircraft, as it requires constant vigilance and decision-making to mitigate risks, ensure compliance with regulations, and safeguard people and property on the ground.

Although managing flight plans, optimizing fuel efficiency, and pursuing advanced maneuvers are important aspects related to unmanned aircraft operations, they fall secondary to the overarching responsibility of ensuring safety, which remains the RPIC's paramount duty during any flight mission.