What is the purpose of completing a risk assessment before a UAS flight?

The purpose of completing a risk assessment before a UAS flight is to identify potential hazards and implement measures to mitigate them. Conducting a thorough risk assessment helps operators systematically evaluate the various risks associated with a flight, including environmental factors, technical issues with the UAS, and airspace considerations. By identifying these hazards in advance, operators can devise strategies to minimize risks, which enhances overall safety. This proactive approach is critical in ensuring that flights are conducted safely and responsibly.

While determining the best flight path and ensuring compliance with legal airspace are important in UAS operations, these aspects stem from the broader goal of risk management. Additionally, extending the flight time is not related to risk assessment; rather, it is a function of how effectively the UAS is managed during its operation. Thus, the focus of a risk assessment is fundamentally on hazard identification and mitigation rather than these other operational factors.