FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG) flashcards

A microburst is a small-scale, intense downdraft from a thunderstorm that spreads outward at the surface, causing rapid and severe wind shear.

• Can occur even after a storm cell appears to weaken or dissipate
• Causes rapid shift from headwind to tailwind within seconds
• Extremely hazardous due to sudden loss of lift/performance

Memory trick: 'Micro but mighty' — a small downdraft with a massive wind-shear punch.

FAA Flight Service offers three types of pilot weather briefings: standard (full briefing), abbreviated (update to a prior briefing), and outlook (used more than 6 hours before departure for planning).

• Standard = complete initial briefing
• Abbreviated = update to previous briefing or specific info request
• Outlook = long-range planning, more than 6 hours out

Memory trick: Standard = start fresh, Abbreviated = add updates, Outlook = look way ahead.

The regulatory requirement for a small unmanned aircraft to yield to all other aircraft, airborne vehicles, launches, and reentries.

• sUAS always yields
• Yields to manned aircraft, balloons, gliders
• Part of 14 CFR 107.37(a)

Memory trick: Drone 'ALWAYS Yields' to 'Bigger, Slower, Higher' things.

Under 14 CFR 107.37, a small unmanned aircraft must yield the right-of-way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles (like uncrewed free balloons), and launch and reentry vehicles.

• sUAS yields to all aircraft.
• sUAS yields to all airborne vehicles.
• Uncrewed free balloons are airborne vehicles.
• Remote pilot must actively maneuver to ensure separation.

Memory trick: Drone's rule: yield to all that float or fly, high in the sky.

A thorough preflight inspection of a sUAS is critical to identify any defects or damage that could affect safe operation prior to flight.

• Inspect all components, especially propellers, motors, battery, and airframe.
• Any detected damage affecting airworthiness must be rectified before flight.
• Ensures the sUAS is in a condition for safe operation.

Memory trick: Inspect, Identify, Fix, Fly

Propellers that do not have their mass evenly distributed, leading to excessive vibration during rotation.

• Causes increased vibration.
• Can lead to premature wear and failure of sUAS components.
• Impairs flight stability and control.

Memory trick: Balanced blades bring stable flights, unbalanced blades bring bad vibrations.

A remote pilot may not allow an object to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that creates an undue hazard to persons or property.

• Dropping objects is permitted under Part 107.
• The primary restriction is to avoid creating an 'undue hazard'.
• No specific weight limits or object types are prohibited, only the hazard criterion.

Memory trick: Drop if Safe, Not a Hazard

FAA airspace authorization is required for sUAS operations within Class E airspace that is designated as a surface area for an airport, as this is considered controlled airspace extending to the surface.

• Class E surface areas extend to the surface.
• Considered controlled airspace for sUAS.
• Authorization is always required for sUAS operations.

Memory trick: If it's 'controlled' to the 'surface,' 'authorize' your flight.

A fundamental rule stating that a small unmanned aircraft must always give way to any manned aircraft to prevent collisions.

• sUAS always yields
• Applies to all manned aircraft types
• Safety principle: 'see and avoid'

Memory trick: Drones 'ALWAYS Yield' to 'ALL' manned aircraft.

Any damage to a sUAS propeller, no matter how small, necessitates immediate replacement before flight to ensure safe operation.

• Damage causes imbalance/vibration
• Affects performance and safety
• Always replace, never repair temporarily

Memory trick: Chipped Propeller? 'NO FLY', 'REPLACE' immediately.

Mountainous terrain can create localized wind patterns, primarily anabatic (upslope) and katabatic (downslope) winds, due to differential heating and cooling.

• Anabatic winds: Warm air rising up mountain slopes.
• Katabatic winds: Cold air flowing down mountain slopes.
• Can affect sUAS performance and stability.

Memory trick: Anna Climbs Up, Katie Slides Down

Aerodynamic drag that does not contribute to the production of lift. It includes form drag (due to the shape of the object) and skin friction drag (due to the roughness of the object's surface).

• Increases with airspeed and frontal area.
• Does not contribute to lift.
• To minimize, sUAS should have a streamlined shape.

Memory trick: Parasite drag is a shape-shifter, slowing you faster.

Electromagnetic fields from power lines, radio towers, and other sources can interfere with a sUAS's compass/magnetometer, affecting navigation and stability.

• Can cause erratic flight behavior or loss of control.
• Requires careful preflight assessment of operating environment.
• Compass calibration should be done away from interference sources.

Memory trick: Towers Twist Compasses

A concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions significant to aviation for a specific airport during a 24- or 30-hour period. It includes wind, visibility, weather, and cloud conditions.

• Issued for specific airports.
• Forecasts conditions for a specific time period.
• Uses standard aviation weather codes (e.g., KT for knots, G for gusts, TEMPO for temporary changes).

Memory trick: TEMPO means temporary, winds will vary.

Prior authorization from the FAA is required to operate a sUAS in any controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and Class E surface areas), even if it's Class E that extends to the surface.

• Class E surface areas are controlled airspace.
• 14 CFR Part 107.41 mandates authorization.
• LAANC and DroneZone are primary methods for authorization.

Memory trick: E-surface, like B, C, D, needs FAA's key.

Any visible crack, chip, bend, or deformation on a sUAS propeller blade that compromises its structural integrity or balance.

• Can cause severe vibration and instability.
• Increases risk of in-flight failure.
• Requires immediate replacement, not repair.

Memory trick: A 'Cracked' prop equals 'Crash' risk; 'Change' it first!

Unbalanced or damaged propellers on a sUAS can cause significant vibrations, instability, reduced efficiency, and difficulty in control during flight.

• Common cause of vibrations.
• Affects flight stability and control.
• Requires replacement for safe operation.
• Often detected during preflight inspection.

Memory trick: Vibrating drone? Check the blades, or your flight degrades.

Operating a sUAS during the period from 30 minutes after official sunset to 30 minutes before official sunrise, requiring specific anti-collision lighting.

• Requires anti-collision lighting
• Lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles
• Remote pilot must be current on recurrent training/test

Memory trick: Night flights need 'Bright Lights' and 'Recent Knowledge'.

The remote pilot in command (RPIC) and person manipulating the controls must maintain visual line of sight with the small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) without enhancement, except for corrective lenses.

• Required for all Part 107 operations unless waived.
• Ensures the pilot can see and avoid other aircraft and hazards.
• If VLOS is lost, the pilot must immediately land or regain sight.

Memory trick: If you can't see the drone, land it alone!

During preflight inspection, any damage, such as cracks, nicks, or bends, to propeller blades requires immediate replacement to ensure the small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) is in a condition for safe flight.

• Propellers are critical flight components.
• Even minor damage can lead to catastrophic failure.
• Replacement is mandatory, not repair or neglect.

Memory trick: Cracked prop? Stop and swap!

14 CFR 107.37 requires small unmanned aircraft to yield the right-of-way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles, which explicitly includes hot air balloons.

• sUAS always yields to manned aircraft.
• Balloons are considered manned aircraft.
• Remote pilot must actively maneuver to ensure separation.

Memory trick: Drones defer to balloons, giving them flight room.

In a TAF, 'TEMPO' indicates a temporary fluctuation in weather conditions that is expected to occur for less than 1 hour at a time and cover less than half of the forecast period.

• Denotes temporary, short-lived changes.
• Conditions may or may not occur.
• Must be considered for flight planning due to potential severity.

Memory trick: TEMPO means 'Temporarily' bad weather, 'Too much' for a smooth flight.

Propeller balance is crucial for smooth and stable sUAS flight, as imbalances cause vibrations that can degrade performance and damage components.

• Unbalanced propellers cause excessive vibration.
• Vibration can lead to unstable flight, motor wear, and component failure.
• Propellers should be inspected and balanced regularly.

Memory trick: Wobbly Blades Wreck Bearings

A concise weather briefing requested to update a previous briefing, confirm specific weather items, or supplement other weather information.

• Used when a prior briefing (standard or outlook) was received.
• Focuses on changes or specific elements.
• Shorter than a standard briefing.

Memory trick: Briefings: 'S'tart 'A'gain 'O'ver 'I'nflight.

Under 14 CFR Part 107.51(b), a sUAS may be operated up to 400 feet above and within a 400-foot radius of a structure, even if it exceeds the general 400 feet AGL limit.

• General AGL limit is 400 feet.
• Exception allows 400 feet above a structure.
• Must remain within 400-foot lateral radius of the structure.

Memory trick: Four hundred is the floor, but over structures, four hundred more.

A small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) must always yield the right-of-way to all other aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles.

• sUAS always yields to manned aircraft.
• Avoidance is the responsibility of the remote pilot.
• This is a fundamental safety regulation.

Memory trick: Drone yields to everyone, like a small car to a big truck.

A report of actual weather conditions encountered by a pilot in flight, providing real-time observations of phenomena such as turbulence, icing, cloud bases, and winds aloft.

• Actual in-flight observations.
• Crucial for real-time hazardous weather.
• Available from Flight Service or ATC.

Memory trick: Forecasts predict, but 'PIREPs' tell the 'real' story.

Disruption of operation of an electronic device when it is in the vicinity of an electromagnetic field (EM field) in the radio frequency spectrum that is generated by another electronic device.

• Can affect sUAS GPS, compass, and control signals.
• Common sources include power lines, radio towers, and industrial equipment.
• Can cause erratic flight, signal loss, and flyaways.

Memory trick: Electronic noise makes drones lose their poise.

Any physical damage (chips, bends, cracks) or imbalance in sUAS propellers can lead to unsafe flight conditions, vibrations, and potential system failure.

• Crucial for stable and efficient flight.
• Damage causes imbalance and vibrations.
• Always replace damaged propellers with new, balanced ones.

Memory trick: Propellers are 'perfect' or 'problem' – no in-between.

Prior authorization from the FAA is required before operating a sUAS in Class B, C, D, or E surface areas.

• Applies to Class B, C, D, and E surface area airspace.
• Can be obtained via LAANC or DroneZone.
• Must be obtained before the flight begins.

Memory trick: Authorization Unlocks Airspace

14 CFR Part 107.36 permits the carriage of external loads by sUAS for compensation or hire, provided the load is not a hazardous material, is securely attached, and does not adversely affect the aircraft's flight characteristics.

• Prohibits carriage of hazardous materials.
• Allows non-hazardous external loads.
• Load must be securely attached.
• Must not adversely affect flight characteristics or controllability.

Memory trick: External loads: 'Safe' and 'Secure', 'Say No' to 'Hazards'.

A Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is a concise statement of the expected meteorological conditions significant to aviation at an airport during a specified period. 'TEMPO' indicates temporary fluctuations in weather, expected to last less than one hour in each instance and cover less than half of the forecast period.

• TAFs are valid for 24-30 hours.
• 'TEMPO' indicates temporary changes.
• Visibility (SM), cloud cover (BKN, OVC), and heights (010 = 1,000 ft) are key.

Memory trick: Read the TAF 'timeline' for the 'current' weather story.

14 CFR Part 107.36 permits a small unmanned aircraft to carry an external load or tow an object, provided the total weight of the sUAS, including the load, does not exceed 55 pounds, and the operation is conducted safely.

• Total sUAS + load must be under 55 lbs.
• Must not create undue hazard.
• Prohibits transportation of hazardous materials.

Memory trick: Load it 'light' and 'safe,' never 'hazard' it.

14 CFR Part 107 establishes regulations for the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for commercial or recreational purposes, including carriage of property.

• Governs sUAS weighing less than 55 pounds.
• Requires remote pilot certificate.
• Permits commercial operations, including package delivery under specific conditions.

Memory trick: Commercial drones fly 107 ways, not 91 or 101 days.

Regulations dictating minimum distances a small unmanned aircraft must maintain from clouds to ensure safe visual operations.

• 500 feet below clouds
• 1,000 feet horizontal from clouds
• Part of 14 CFR 107.51(b)

Memory trick: Cloudy sUAS needs 'Five Hundred' feet horizontal space to 'See' clearly.

Any physical imperfection on a propeller blade, such as a crack, chip, or bend, that compromises its structural integrity or aerodynamic performance.

• Even minor damage can lead to catastrophic failure.
• Compromises balance and thrust.
• Requires immediate replacement, not repair.

Memory trick: Cracked prop? 'Can't' fly, must 'Change'.

14 CFR Part 107.25 permits dropping objects from a sUAS, provided the operation does not create an undue hazard to persons or property on the ground.

• Not outright prohibited, but conditional.
• Pilot must assess for 'undue hazard'.
• Factors include object weight, nature, drop location, and environmental conditions.

Memory trick: Dropping objects is 'Okay' if 'No Undue Hazard' is found.

Vertical visibility is reported in a METAR when the sky is completely obscured (e.g., by fog, heavy snow, or smoke) and no cloud layers can be observed. It indicates the vertical distance an observer can see into the obscuring phenomenon.

• Reported as 'VV' followed by three digits.
• The three digits represent hundreds of feet AGL.
• Indicates the height at which an aircraft would enter the obscuring layer from below.

Memory trick: METARs Make Every Takeoff And Landing Readable.