What should a site survey identify before a commercial operation in an unfamiliar area?

The site survey is where most of the risk in an unfamiliar operation is actually removed, and Part 107 requires the pilot to assess the operating environment for hazards before flight. Four categories cover nearly everything that matters. Ground hazards are the surfaces and terrain that affect launch, landing and emergency descent. Obstructions are the things that can be struck or that block line of sight — power lines especially, along with towers, trees, cranes and buildings. People are both a regulatory question, since operations over non-participants are restricted, and a practical one, since a site with foot traffic needs control measures. And landing areas means identifying, in advance, where the aircraft will go in an emergency, which is the decision no pilot wants to be making for the first time while a motor is failing. The survey also establishes the airspace and any authorization needed, and it produces the specific content of the crew briefing.

A site survey identifies ground hazards, obstructions, the presence of people and suitable landing areas, which together define the operating environment and the emergency options.

Part 107 requires the remote pilot in command to assess the operating environment for risks before flight, including local hazards, obstructions such as power lines and towers, the presence of people, and available emergency landing areas.

Ground, Obstructions, People, Outs. The fourth one is the one you will need in a hurry.

The survey feeds the crew briefing. Whatever it finds becomes what the participants must be told before launch.

• •Surveying obstacles but not choosing emergency landing areas
• •Overlooking people who will be present during the flight rather than during the survey
• •Treating the survey as separate from the crew briefing