What should a remote pilot do if their sUAS goes out of visual line of sight?

When a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) goes out of visual line of sight (VLOS), it is crucial for the remote pilot to prioritize safety and compliance with regulations. The correct course of action is to land the sUAS immediately. This is because maintaining VLOS is a fundamental requirement for operating sUAS under regulations established by aviation authorities, such as the FAA in the United States.

When the sUAS is out of sight, the remote pilot is unable to monitor its position, altitude, and potential obstacles or hazards, which increases the risk of accidents or violations of airspace regulations. By landing the aircraft right away, the remote pilot mitigates these risks and ensures the safety of people and property on the ground, as well as other airspace users.

Continuing to fly until the pilot regains sight is unsafe and violates regulations, as it could lead to potential collisions or other dangerous situations. Requesting an emergency landing from air traffic control (ATC) is not feasible if the aircraft cannot be visualized, and using GPS to locate the sUAS does not address the immediate need to land it safely in case of lost VLOS. Hence, immediate landing is the best and most responsible action in such a