FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)OperationsMedium
A remote pilot is preparing for a sUAS flight in an area known for high winds. To ensure stable flight and prevent excessive battery drain, the pilot should consider a sUAS design that minimizes:
- AParasite drag
- BInduced drag
- CLift-to-drag ratio
- DThrust-to-weight ratio
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Parasite drag
Parasite drag is the drag caused by the non-lifting parts of the aircraft and increases significantly with airspeed. In high winds, the sUAS will need to fly at a higher ground speed or against the wind, increasing its effective airspeed and thus parasite drag. Minimizing this drag reduces the power required to overcome air resistance.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Induced drag is related to the production of lift and is more significant at lower airspeeds and higher angles of attack. While present, it's not the primary drag type to minimize for high-wind stability/efficiency.
- C. A higher lift-to-drag ratio is generally desirable for efficiency, but minimizing the ratio itself is not the goal. It's about optimizing the components of drag.
- D. A higher thrust-to-weight ratio is beneficial for performance, but it's a measure of power available, not a type of drag to be minimized.
Parasite Drag
Drag caused by the non-lifting components of an aircraft, such as the fuselage, landing gear, antennas, and other protrusions, which increases with airspeed.
- Increases with the square of airspeed.
- Does not contribute to lift.
- Minimized by streamlining aircraft design.
Memory trick: Drag 'parasites' on speed, 'induced' by lift.