FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Table of Contents Benefits of Becoming a Drone Pilot ............................................................................................... 8 Key Terms and Concepts .............................................................................................................. 12 Anatomy of a Drone...................................................................................................................... 22 Eligibility ...................................................................................................................................... 30 UAG Test Structure ...................................................................................................................... 34 Testing Center Locations .............................................................................................................. 41 Applying for Your Certification ................................................................................................... 43 TSA Security Check ..................................................................................................................... 47 Ongoing Testing Requirements .................................................................................................... 48 Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 52 Airspace Classification ................................................................................................................. 53 Weather and its Effects on Aircraft .............................................................................................. 74 Weather ......................................................................................................................................... 93 Weather and Flight Operations ................................................................................................... 105 Preflight Inspections and Ongoing Maintenance ........................................................................ 114 Operational Guidelines ............................................................................................................... 121 Waivers ....................................................................................................................................... 140 Airport Operations ...................................................................................................................... 144 Flight Crews and Non-certified Operators.................................................................................. 152 Pilot Health ................................................................................................................................. 154 Decision Making and Risk Assessment ...................................................................................... 168 Supplemental Study Guide ......................................................................................................... 194
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Introduction Welcome to our course on drone pilot certification! In more official terms you want to obtain a certificate as a remote pilot with small unmanned aircraft rating. If you are taking this course, you plan to operate a small unmanned aircraft or drone commercially. Maybe you own an aircraft or work for an organization that does. You could be a hobbyist who sees the potential to earn an income by offering your services to others. You could be a hobbyist who never plans to fly commercially; you just want to be as educated as you can about drone operations. After all, even if you fly strictly for enjoyment, your aircraft has value, and you want to protect that value. Whatever the reason, we are glad you chose this course. Before I tell you about the course, I want to spend a couple of seconds explaining why you actually need it. In two thousand and twelve, in accordance with the -F-A-A- Modernization and Reform Act, the subject of drones was introduced. Specifically, Congress wanted to determine if drone flight posed a national security threat to United States Air space. Studies resulted in the introduction, in two thousand fifteen, of regulations specific to drone, or small unmanned aircraft flight. These regulations were included in part one hundred seven of title fourteen of the -U-SCode of Federal Regulations. Their purpose of course, is to ensure safety in our national air space. The number of drones in use increases every year, and without regulation, our skies can become a dangerous place. The guidelines in part one -O- seven cover key subject areas such as personnel, flight operations, and equipment. The regulations have strict standards that must be met by all prospective remote pilots who seek certification. However, the new rules eliminate much of the red tape and airworthiness certification required of manned aircraft pilots.
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While relatively new to the public, drones also known as -S-U-A- or small unmanned aircraft, have become very popular for both the hobbyist and for commercial operations. The advent of small, lightweight cameras has opened the door to aerial photography being accessible to the general public. Commercially, aerial photography is now more cost effective in many applications because of drones. A drone outfitted with a camera enables us to inspect large buildings without the need for ladders or scaffolding - and the associated risks. Golf course owners can present beautiful flyovers of their courses using drone photography. The same is true for resort owners or real estate developers. In more serious cases, drones can be invaluable to search and rescue efforts in otherwise inaccessible areas. It seems new applications for small unmanned flight appear all the time. Most of these new applications open doors for someone to benefit financially. Regardless of your motivation and the potential for financial opportunity, please understand that operating small unmanned aircraft is serious business. Careless operation around power lines can result in outages for large populated areas. Prohibited operation near airports, especially when altitude restrictions are ignored, can be disastrous if your aircraft impedes the flight of a helicopter or passenger plane. Operating a drone that needs repair or whose battery life is spent before you can safely bring it back to you, may cause the aircraft to simply drop from the sky and fall where it may. So, it should go without saying that drone traffic and use must be regulated. Part of those regulations should include ensuring that qualified and knowledgeable individuals operate or oversee the operation of drones. That is where this course comes in.
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Obtaining certification under part one -O- seven of -C-F-R- Title Fourteen is essential if you want to commercially pilot a small unmanned aircraft. Additionally, you will need certification if you do not act as pilot but want to be responsible for the operation of a drone. While these craft are small and seemingly harmless, their use falls under strict guidelines. Operating a small unmanned aircraft without the required certification can lead to civil or criminal penalties, especially if bodily injury or property damage is involved. You might notice that I just said a person must be certified to operate or be responsible for the operation of a drone. It is actually permissible to operate a drone without certification as long as a certified -P-I-C- or pilot in charge is directly participating in the operations and assumes responsibility for the flight. That person in charge, we hope, will soon be you. This course assumes that you want to, or need to, obtain certification as a small unmanned aircraft pilot. By the way, in government terms, certification and licensing sometimes mean the same thing. So, with this course, you are preparing to obtain a license as a small unmanned aircraft operator. I will present a great deal of information to you over the course of our lectures. The first thing you will do is to become familiar with many key terms that will be used throughout the course. The same is true for key concepts that you need to understand. There is such a wide selection of models and styles of drones available, that it is difficult to get into specifics here. So, I will present some general information on the anatomy of a drone. What makes it fly? Where does its power come from? What does it look like? After this introductory material, I will talk about the actual test you will take for your certification. You will learn about eligibility requirements you must meet to even be able to take the test. You will hear about deadlines you may or may not have to meet depending on your
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performance on the test. I will talk about the structure of the test and what you can expect on test day. On top of that, you will hear some tips that are useful for taking multiple choice tests. The remote pilot certification test is only given at certain locations. We will provide you with contact information for these places, which are known as knowledge test centers. Even if you pass the pilot’s test, you will not be certified until you satisfy a -T-S-Abackground security check. I will discuss this procedure and options available if you do not pass the check and feel you have not been treated fairly. From here, we get into the real meat of the course: the operations material. I will talk about supplementary material you will need to have to prepare for the certification test. I will cover the various classes of airspace as well as how weather can affect drone operations. After that, you will hear about preflight and ongoing inspections of your aircraft. You would not, we hope, get into a faulty automobile and take a long drive. In that same vein, would you want a faulty aircraft airborne where you might lose operational control? Remember, the certified pilot is responsible for whatever happens before, during, and after the flight of a small unmanned aircraft. We have road signs and traffic signals to regulate the flow of traffic, so the general public can travel safely along our streets and highways. When you look to the sky, you see wide open space. You probably assume that there is plenty of room for everybody to enjoy flying, whether in a seven forty-seven or operating a drone. Get closer to a city or especially an airport, however, and you can see a noticeable increase in traffic. Air traffic requires regulations just as does ground traffic. So, I will talk about restrictions that cover time of day flight, restricted airspace flight, aircraft size and weight, and waivers available for special circumstances.
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I have already mentioned that a person can operate a drone commercially and not be certified as a pilot. That person, however, must be under the direction of a certified pilot. With that in mind, I will discuss flight crews. Depending on your purpose, you may use another person operate your drone. You might also have a spotter or visual observer who helps you to monitor the drone once it is airborne. These activities are also regulated especially as it concerns communication between you and your crew. Safety issues will be discussed near the tail end of the course. This in no way means that safety takes a back seat to everything else. I will discuss you, the pilot, and both your physical and emotional states. You will hear about operating small unmanned aircraft while impaired or while simply being reckless. As the person in charge, the certified pilot may be called upon to make snap decisions to avoid emergencies or even disasters. So, the ability to identify and assess risk is another topic that falls under the umbrella of safety. Finally, even if you have done everything according to the book, you may be faced with some type of emergency. I close out the course covering what type of emergencies might arise and how you can minimize the risk to people and property. Because you are preparing for an important test and must retain a great deal of information, I will give you quizzes. Throughout the course, you will take small quizzes of five or ten questions. These will help you to measure progress or success. If you struggle with the quizzes, repeat lectures as needed. If you do well, continue on with the course, although we recommend you listen to every lecture at least two to three times to make sure you fully understand the material. Some of the topics are technical and packed with information.
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The final portion of the course involves a final exam. I will present you with sixty questions that will serve as a comprehensive review. This again, will help you to gauge your success. The test questions you will get on the actual test are not available to the public. We have looked at sample questions and have studied the topics included on the test. This way, we can present to you questions that will leave you prepared and confident for the real thing. This remote pilot certification preparation course comes with a printed study guide. In the guide, we provide summaries of key information from the course. We provide links to additional information that the -F-A-A- suggests you study to prepare for the pilot’s course. You will also find information to help you find a test center when you are ready to take the test and a link to use if you need to register your drone. Before I begin, how about a few helpful tips? As I mentioned, listen to each lecture multiple times. Make sure that all of this valuable information becomes second nature to you. Also, be sure to purchase or download the supplemental material that is suggested by the -F-A-A- as study aids. A list of the recommended publications is on page four of the study guide. These publications contain much of the material I will present to you. Additionally, they will present many of the topics in a graphic format. For many learners, graphics help them fully understand more complex material. Out of all the suggested materials, we recommend your reading Advisory Circular one hundred seven dash two. It is a general summary of the part one -O- seven regulations. Read it before or after you listen to this course. I believe you will find it helps you retain the information. If you can, take notes as you listen to the lectures. This is another way to remember the things you will need to know.
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Finally, one very important suggestion. When you take your remote pilot general knowledge test, you will be issued an -F-A-A- publication. You are allowed to consult this booklet actually; you will need to consult it during your exam. Some test questions are based on material contained in this publication. Do not wait until test day to get familiar with this important material. Download the booklet or purchase it. You can find it online at a reasonable price. Familiarize yourself with the map legends. Understand symbols that represent different topography. Look at the navigational charts. A link to the publication is on page five of the study guide. The name of the publication is the Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, and Private Pilot. The publication number is
-F-A-A- dash -C-T-
dash eight zero eight zero dash two -G-. This booklet is used for multiple tests. Much of the information will not concern you. Do not be intimidated by some of the technical instrumentation and manned aircraft material. So, if you are ready to begin, let’s start by discussing the benefits of your becoming certified as a small unmanned aircraft pilot.
Benefits of Becoming a Drone Pilot Welcome to the lecture on the benefits of becoming a certified drone pilot! In this brief section, I will discuss the positive effects your certification can have regarding potential career paths or business opportunities. This includes a discussion of how certification is a key component that enables you to protect the value of your investment: your small unmanned aircraft. So, if you are ready, I will begin. One obvious benefit to having a pilot certificate obvious almost to the point of being silly is that pilot certification is required! As harmless as you think operating a drone out above an
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open field may be, there are many variables and unpredictable situations that could put you or anyone on the ground in danger. As you progress through this course, you will discover that your knowledge will be so much more advanced as it relates to operating a drone; you will, we hope, be able to identify and avoid hazardous situations before they turn into emergencies. An uninformed or uneducated drone pilot is a pilot who may not plan for battery failure or sudden changes in wind conditions. If your aircraft suddenly drops to the ground, there may or may not be structures, animals, or people below. If your craft is unexpectedly blown into a live power line, then fire, explosions, or power outages can result. Now, you as the operator, are responsible for any injury or damage. Lack of remote pilot certification exposes you to these and even more consequences and penalties. Remember too, that certified or not, your drone must be registered and appropriately marked. So, being a certified pilot is beneficial, because you avoid fines and penalties by simply obeying the law. Over and above that, remote pilot certification offers several more layers of benefits for the licensed pilot. Any education will broaden your personal knowledge base and may open new doors for you. The purpose of this course is to educate you, so that you can be well prepared to take and pass the drone pilot certification test. As you listen to these lectures, your knowledge about weather conditions, airspace classifications, reading navigation charts, and many other topics will certainly expand your skill set. Your drone manufacturer’s documentation will help you acquire the necessary skills to properly operate your small unmanned aircraft. The knowledge you acquire while preparing for your certification will enable you to put those skills to more effective use. You will plan effective flights, identify potential dangerous situations, and keep the airspace and the ground below free of hazards to health and property.
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For the drone pilot who just wants to fly an unmanned aircraft and maybe do some personal aerial photography, much of the information in this course may seem like overkill. As a matter of fact, hobbyists do not need part one -O- seven certification. The fact remains, however, that you will fly in the same skies as will commercial drone pilots. You may also share the skies with manned aircraft. Learning what commercial pilots do can elevate your skills to a more advanced level. What if, at some point, you, the pilot who professes to be a hobbyist, start to see a career path or some type of financial reward in becoming a commercial drone pilot? Maybe someone approaches you with an offer to pay for an aerial photography project. Maybe someone who owns a large building wants to conduct a visual inspection of hard to reach places. Maybe some municipality needs to inspect hard to access locations along a coastline or within a marsh to assess damage to a sea wall or to other protective barriers. As a certified pilot, you will be much better prepared to make the transition from hobbyist to professional. You will already know about what you can and cannot do in various airspace classes. You will be able to read the weather or interpret forecasts from local airports to know when and where it is safest to conduct a flight. You will be aware of on-board emergencies that can arise with small unmanned aircraft and how to avoid them. You will be competent enough to direct a flight crew. If you are scratching your head at that last comment, yes, you can have a flight crew. I will get into that in greater detail at a later lecture. So, even if your aircraft does not fall under part one -O- seven regulations, consider becoming certified. If business opportunities suddenly present themselves, then you’ll be ahead of the game and ready to hit the ground or the air running! A good, reliable drone can be expensive. Let’s face it, even if your purpose in purchasing a drone is just to have fun, you may shell out a considerable amount of money to buy a craft that will perform well and have a predictable, reliable power source. These unmanned aircraft have
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many moving parts, so ongoing maintenance is certainly a good idea; it is actually required. Regardless of the care and attention you give to the drone, however, one sudden crash can render your expensive craft useless and worthless. As a certified drone pilot, you will couple the operational skills you get from the drone manufacturer’s documentation with your knowledge of weather conditions, airspace traffic, and line of sight requirements. Applying these skills along with following an effective maintenance schedule should enable you to get the best performance and the longest life from your drone your investment. Sometimes, bigger is better. While the certification you are studying for limits the size of your drone to under fifty-five pounds, there are much bigger and more complex craft out there. As a certified pilot, you may decide that you want to operate larger unmanned aircraft. There will be new training and certification required as well as more testing. With this course, you will have the benefit of a great foundation upon which to build a larger skill set. Will operating larger unmanned aircraft open new doors financially? Do you see a new career path? Do you see a new, more lucrative business opportunity? Do you see a valuable service you can provide to law enforcement or to your local government? Your remote pilot certification will help you to answer these questions and lead, we hope, to well informed decisions. Career and business wise, the sky truly is the limit. For the drone pilot who expects to enjoy just a weekend hobby, an introduction to aviation terminology and that of weather can introduce potential avenues for career options. As you learn about weather reporting and forecasting, you will see its importance to the aviation industry. As you learn about airspace classification, you will see the importance of air traffic control and airport operations. The fact that you have purchased a drone can indicate that you have some degree of interest in aviation. Maybe the certification process and your ultimate
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operation of a drone will reveal a desire to be more involved in the field of aviation. By the way, you do not necessarily have to purchase a drone. You may be getting certified to operate craft owned by your employer or by some other entity. Regardless, you can still discover that you have the aviation bug! Who knows if your remote pilot certification will take you to some exciting more lucrative field within the aviation industry? I hope that some of these ideas have opened your eyes as to potential career paths or business opportunities available to the certified drone pilot. Even if right now, you just fly a small unmanned craft for pleasure, you will still be well prepared for safe and effective flights and will get the longest life out of your craft. So, if this lecture has increased your level of enthusiasm, let’s continue. In the next section, I will introduce important if not critical, terms and concepts that all pilots must know.
Key Terms and Concepts Welcome to the lecture on important terms and concepts associated with remote pilot certification. In this section, I will explain the meanings of several key aviation terms; this information is critical for your future planning and flight operations. Because of the large number of terms and acronyms, I suggest that you follow along in the printed study guide that comes with this course. The terms I will discuss can be found on page three of the guide, and I will discuss them in the order in which they are presented on the page. For the sake of ease in finding the appropriate term in the future, you will find that the concepts are given in alphabetical order. So, if you will turn to page three, we can get started. As I mentioned a bit earlier, you, as a future remote pilot, will rely on information. You may need to check for flight restrictions or weather forecasts. You may need to confirm that
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there are no important or recent announcements that affect you and where you intend to fly. To process and understand this information, you need to recognize many acronyms and abbreviations that are used in aviation. After all, if you cannot understand these terms, then you will not understand information that may be critical to your safe flight operations. By the way, if you not understand what an acronym is, let me briefly explain. An acronym is when you use the first letter or few letters of each word in a phrase to form a new word. So, for instance, -F-A-Ais used as a more efficient way to say or write Federal Aviation Administration. We see acronyms all the time: -A-A-A-, -F-B-I-, -A-A-, and -U-S-A- are some acronyms that you may readily know. It is clear to see that using these acronyms makes it much easier to communicate more efficiently while still getting your ideas across without misunderstanding or misinterpretation. In time, most, if not all of these aviation terms, will become second nature to you because of the number of times you will both read and use them in your flight planning. So, if you are ready, let’s go through this list. -A-C- stands for Advisory Circular. An advisory circular is a document that explains rules and guidelines that come from the Federal Aviation Administration. In other words, they are versions of regulations that are in a more understandable format. It is important to remember that -A-C-s are not regulations: just explanations of how the actual rules are implemented and should be followed. When you get to the additional references part of this course, I will actually recommend some advisory circulars that will help you prepare for your certification. -A-G-L- means Above Ground Level. This term is used to measure altitude or height. The important thing to remember, though, is that the height is measured relative to the ground on which you are located. Here is a great example. Under part one hundred seven of the federal regulations, you are allowed to operate your drone at a maximum of four hundred feet
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-A-G-
L- without the need for a special waiver. If, however, you are on a hilltop that is one thousand feet above sea level, then your drone, while only four hundred feet up from your position, is actually one thousand four hundred feet above sea level, and this is perfectly within regulations. I will discuss sea level in a short time. -A-T-C- stands for Air Traffic Control. These are the people who occupy control towers at airports and direct air traffic, along with their supports systems. You, as a remote pilot, should never communicate directly with -A-T-C- unless you have an emergency. Remember this, though, any time you obtain permission to operate close to an airport that has a control tower. You will be required to monitor -A-T-C- to pilot radio communications while in this controlled airspace. -A-S-O-S- stands for Automated Surface Observing System. This automated system produces current, ongoing reports of surface weather conditions near airports equipped with the system. These reports will be invaluable to you as you plan your flight operations. -A-W-O-S- means Automated Weather Observing Station. This automated system is more forward looking. It provides forecasts of expected weather. These reports, as with those from -A-S-O-S-, are valuable for preflight planning and operations. If you are involved in commercial flying, knowing the predicted weather conditions will enable you to produce reliable, efficient scheduling of your projects; efficient scheduling helps you to keep satisfied clients. The term Class is used to define the various classes or types of controlled airspace. Airspace can be listed as Class -A-, -B-, -C-, -D-, -E-, or -G-. There are a couple of special classes that I will discuss in a separate lecture. Each class of airspace has its own dimensions as
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well as regulations that must be followed by any pilot operating within that space. In many cases, you, the drone pilot, will not be allowed to enter most of these classes without a waiver. The Control Station is the apparatus that you will use to control your aircraft. It is the remote-control unit. It will typically be a handheld, easily portable power pack with controls that enable you to operate and monitor your drone. Controlled Airspace is also known as regulatory airspace. This is the airspace that falls under a code of regulations that provide for the safe passage of air traffic. You will see airspace categorized by class where certain air traffic will be allowed or prohibited. Proximity to airports and altitude are key factors in determining airspace classification. In addition to directing traffic something that air traffic controllers are probably most known for -A-T-C- provides guidance when the visibility requires pilots to fly using -I-F-R- or Instrument Flight Rules. -I-F-R- are also in effect when pilots simply enter the airspace of many airports. Pilots can also access notices from -A-T-C- regarding temporary flight restrictions and weather advisories. Corrective Lenses are what you would expect them to be: eyeglasses and contact lenses. It is important to remember this when maintaining a line of sight to an unmanned craft you are piloting. That is because binoculars and other spotting scopes are not corrective lenses and cannot be used to maintain a line of sight to your drone. -F-A-A- stands for the Federal Aviation Administration. The -F-A-A- is the federal agency that oversees all civil or non-military aviation related activity in the United States. Flight Crew Flight Crew? While drones are unmanned, they will sometimes require a flight crew. You, as the pilot are not on board the craft. Nor will anyone be who assists you. A flight crew is anyone you designate to physically control the drone. Additionally, you may need
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to have a spotter or visual observer, especially if the drone may fly around a large obstacle. Remember though, that you are the responsible party for the flight of the drone and for the crew if you have one. -I-F-R- stands for Instrument Flight Rules. Many people will understand this acronym when they hear the phrase “Flying on instruments”. Instrument flight rules come into play when atmospheric conditions require pilots to fly using the aircraft instruments as a guide. These conditions are referred to as -I-M-C- or instrument meteorological conditions. Fog, smoke from a forest fire, cloud cover, or heavy downpours could prevent pilots from flying based on what they can see from the cockpit. -K-T- is more of an abbreviation than an acronym. -K-T- stands for knot or a unit used to measure speed in the aviation field. A knot equals about one nautical mile per hour or one point one five standard -U-S- miles per hour. As you progress through the course, you will find that speed is measured in knots and the terms nautical miles and statute miles will be used to discuss distances. I will discuss these mileage terms in just a bit. -M-E-T-A-R- is an acronym that stands for Meteorological Aerodrome Report. METARs are regularly supplied reports that provide information concerning current surface weather conditions around the reporting airport. Note that METARs are not used to forecast weather; they report on current observed conditions. -M-S-L- stands for Mean Sea Level. Mean sea level is the average of the level or height of the ocean surface taken over time during changes in the tides. -M-S-L- is used as a baseline from which flight altitudes are measured or displayed. Additionally, -M-S-L- barometric pressure is used as a baseline to measure altitudes with an altimeter.
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-N-A-S- means National Airspace System. This is the support system of airports and facilities that aid in flight navigation. Additionally, the -N-A-S- actually includes the airspace that is above the United States over which we have regulatory control. Both civil and military air traffic fall within the realm of the National Airspace System. -U-S- airspace, by the way, also extends twelve nautical miles from each coast. -N-M- is Nautical Miles. A nautical mile is one point one five -U-S- statute miles. If this sounds familiar, remember the definition of a knot. If you are progressing one nautical mile per hour, then your speed is also one knot. Nautical miles are calculated based on the circumference of the earth. You will see the nautical mile unit of measure show up both in maritime applications and in aviation. -N-O-T-A-M- is a very important acronym that stands for Notice to Airmen. Because of the importance of having current information for safe flight planning and operations, we have NOTAMs. These notices are released when more current information becomes available between publications of standard flight charts and other manuals. NOTAMs can also include temporary weather issues or changes in policies and procedures. -P-I-C- may be the most important acronym you will learn. The -P-I-C- is you! Pilot in command -P-I-C- is the certified pilot who will operate or have direct supervision over another operator of a drone. You are taking this course so that you can prepare to become certified as a remote -P-I-C-. Note that as the pilot, you may not always actually operate your unmanned aircraft. Regardless of who does, though, you are responsible for what happens before, during, and after a flight. -S-I-G-M-E-T- stands for Significant Meteorological Information. SIGMETs are weather advisories that are critical to aviation safety. That is because SIGMETS warn of unstable, even
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dangerous conditions in specified areas. There are mainly two categories of SIGMETs. A convective SIGMET will announce the presence of thunderstorms or lines of thunderstorms in an area. It can also report the presence of fifty knot winds or hail in excess of three quarters of an inch in diameter. Those last two conditions would exist near ground level, so would have an impact on an aircraft’s takeoff and landing. A convective SIGMET could also announce the touchdown of a tornado. A non-convective SIGMET alerts pilots and others to the existence of strong turbulence. Additionally, non-convective SIGMETS will report potential problems with icing or atmospheric problems such as dust, smoke, and sandstorms. SIGMETs are presented on a regularly scheduled basis and remain in effect for a limited time. Remember the terms convective and non-convective. They will show up again in the lecture on weather. I will also discuss SIGMETs in more detail in that same lecture. -S-M- stands for Statute Mile. A statute mile is a standard -U-S- mile. Five thousand two hundred eighty feet or one thousand seven hundred sixty yards. Remember that statute miles are shorter than nautical miles. -S-U-A- That is small -S- capital -U- capital -A- and stands for small unmanned aircraft. As the name implies, an -S-U-A- or any -U-A- for that matter, operates without a pilot on or within the craft. The drones you operate fall into the -S-U-A- category, especially given the fiftyfive-pound maximum weight restriction. -S-U-A-S- small -S- capital -U- capital -A- capital -S- stands for small unmanned aircraft system. A small unmanned aircraft system expands upon the aircraft itself and includes the controls. So, the drone and any control box or station used to maneuver the drone are collectively referred to as the system.
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The -T-A-C- or Terminal Aeronautical Charts are vital to flight planning. Terminal aeronautical charts provide information about the airspace in and around major airports. From a T-A-C-, pilots can obtain airport information as well as flight route or airspace restrictions. For the largest airports, pilots can use the -T-A-C-s to see approach and flyaway routes both of which help in flight planning. A -T-A-F- is a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast. This report provides local forecasts for a five-mile circle around the reporting airport. -T-A-F-s provide information valuable to flight planning. They are provided on a regularly scheduled basis. -T-F-R- is the acronym for Temporary Flight Restriction. Sometimes, regardless of class, a temporary restriction might be placed on a certain sector of airspace. This restriction could limit or even prohibit travel within that airspace. Prime examples are when the President of the United States is traveling within a sector of airspace. Or, a large forest fire might be burning, and firefighting efforts involve aviation resources. In such a case, normal air traffic in the area will be restricted if not prohibited. -U-A- as you probably suspect by now, means Unmanned Aircraft. This is an aircraft of any size that does not have a human pilot on or within the craft. -U-A-S- or Unmanned Aircraft System, encompasses not only the unmanned aircraft, but also the remote-control apparatus used to maneuver the craft. Uncontrolled Airspace is also known as non-regulatory airspace. Typically, it is Class G- airspace and is not under the jurisdiction of Air Traffic Control. Most of the time, you will operate in class -G- airspace unless you obtain a certificate of waiver.
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-V-F-R- stands for Visual Flight Rules. These rules are in effect when pilots fly based on what they see from the cockpit and do not rely on instruments for navigation. Visual flight rules are in effect when conditions are -V-M-C- or visual meteorological conditions. -V-L-O-S- is a very important acronym for you, as a remote -P-I-C- to know. It stands for Visual Line of Sight. Under part one -O- seven of the federal code of regulations, a drone must be directly visible to the pilot or to a designated spotter at all times. In other words, the craft must always be within visual line of sight. Visibility must be maintained without the aid of binoculars or spotting scopes. As you know by now, you or your designated spotter can wear corrective lenses. -V-O- is the acronym for Visual Observer. This refers to you or a responsible person you assign to maintain sight of the drone. Remember that an -S-U-A-S- must be within sight of you or of your flight crew at all times. Well, I have introduced you to many terms here; there are several more that you could learn. We have included the terminology that you will see most often. Over the course of the lectures, I will try to use both the acronyms and their longer counterparts interchangeably. That way, you will learn new terminology just by osmosis. As you get familiar with navigational charts and the aviation reports you will need for flight planning, these terms will come to you naturally. I think it is time to give you a brief quiz. This one should not be too difficult. I will give you ten questions. There will not be any multiple-choice answers. We have found it is best when you can respond to a question without the need for answer choices. So, I will pose a question and pause to give you time to think and respond. After that, I will give you the correct answer.
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