Definition
An uncontrolled and unintended flight of an unmanned aircraft, where the aircraft no longer responds to the operator's control inputs and departs from the planned area of operation.
Plain English
When a drone or other unmanned aircraft stops responding to its operator and flies off on its own.
Context Anchor
Seen in unmanned aircraft operations, safety planning, and reports of lost-control events.
Derivation
A compound of 'fly' and 'away' — the aircraft literally flies away from the operator's control. The single-word form is used as a specific operational noun in UAS work to distinguish it from a deliberate departure.
Why Pilots Care
A flyaway can quickly lead to loss of control, airspace violation, or collision if the pilot does not recognize the condition immediately.
Grounding Statement
Picture a small unmanned aircraft continuing away after the pilot commands it to return.
Intuition Check
Flyaway does not mean a normal departure. In this FAA use, it means an unmanned aircraft is no longer being controlled as intended.
Example Sentence 1
After the radio link dropped, the drone climbed past 800 feet and the operator reported a flyaway to ATC.
Example Sentence 2
During a lost-link event the operator declared a flyaway and activated the return-to-home mode.