The three roles
Three crew roles: the remote PIC, the controls, and the visual observer
A Part 107 crew is built from three roles, and the same person can hold more than one of them — the solo pilot of earlier chapters is simply one person filling all of them at once. But the roles are genuinely distinct in three ways: who must be certificated, who holds authority, and what each one must do. Seeing them side by side is the fastest way to understand how a multi-person operation divides up, and the panel below lays them out.
Two dividing lines do most of the work. The first is certification: only the remote pilot in command must hold a remote pilot certificate to fill the role, the person on the controls may be uncertificated so long as they are supervised, and a visual observer never needs a certificate at all. The second is authority, and it runs one direction only — the remote pilot in command directs the operation, and the person on the controls and the visual observer work within that direction. Split the roles across a crew or stack them on one person; the authority still resolves to the single remote PIC from the last section.
Remote pilot in command — § 107.19
The single final authority, designated before or during the flight. Must hold a remote pilot certificate and be current — § 107.12 bars acting as remote PIC without one.
Directly responsible for the whole operation: that it complies with every applicable rule, poses no undue hazard on a loss of control, and can be directed to stay compliant.
Person manipulating the controls — § 107.12
Whoever actually works the sticks. Must EITHER hold a remote pilot certificate and meet § 107.65 currency, OR fly under the remote PIC's direct supervision.
Under the supervision route the remote PIC must be able to immediately take direct control of the flight — which is what makes it safe to let an uncertificated person fly.
Visual observer — § 107.33
An optional extra set of eyes; no certificate required to serve as one.
If used, must keep effective communication with the crew at all times, be able to see the aircraft as § 107.31 requires, and coordinate to scan for collision hazards and track the aircraft's position.
Key terms
Remote pilot in commandPerson manipulating the controlsVisual observerDirect supervisionEffective communication