A2 CofC - Drone Certificate of Competency Meteorological Considerations Questions and Answers

Question 1

On a hot and humid summer day in the UK, a remote pilot notices their UAS requires more throttle to hover and has a reduced flight time compared to a cool, dry day.
What is the primary meteorological cause for this decrease in performance?

Accepted Answer

The lower air density provides less lift for the propellers.

Answer

The higher air pressure increases the overall drag on the airframe.

Answer

The humidity can interfere with the radio control signal strength.

Answer

The onboard electronics are more likely to overheat in the warm air.

Question 2

A remote pilot is planning to operate a 1.5kg UAS near a group of tall office buildings on a day with a steady 15-knot wind. Which of the following meteorological phenomena presents the most significant and unpredictable danger to the flight?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical turbulence from wind interacting with the buildings.

Answer

Anabatic wind flowing uphill.

Answer

Advection fog forming over the area.

Answer

Katabatic wind flowing downhill at night.

Question 3

You are reviewing a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) for a nearby airport to plan a flight for later today. The forecast includes the code 'TEMPO 1417 3000 SHRA'. What should you interpret from this information?

Accepted Answer

Temporarily, between 14:00 and 17:00 UTC, there will be periods of rain showers and visibility reduced to 3000 metres.

Answer

A permanent improvement in visibility to 3000m is expected between 14:00 and 17:00 UTC.

Answer

There is a 30% probability of rain showers between 14:00 and 17:00 UTC.

Answer

The wind will temporarily shift to 300 degrees with heavy rain after 14:17 UTC.

Question 4

Under UK drone regulations, maintaining Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) is mandatory for all Open Category operations. Which of the following weather conditions would most directly make a flight non-compliant with this rule?

Accepted Answer

Fog that reduces flight visibility to less than the planned operating distance.

Answer

A surface wind of 20 knots.

Answer

An ambient temperature of -2°C.

Answer

A broken cloud layer at 800 feet above ground level.

Question 5

On a humid day with the ambient air temperature at +1°C, a remote pilot notices a sudden, unexplained loss of performance and increased vibration from their UAS. What is the most likely meteorological cause?

Accepted Answer

Propeller icing.

Answer

Sudden battery voltage drop due to the cold.

Answer

Water ingress into the motors.

Answer

Loss of GPS signal due to atmospheric moisture.

Question 6

Which of the following describes the most significant risk when flying a UAS in light, steady rain, even if the aircraft is rated as water-resistant?

Accepted Answer

Reduced propeller efficiency due to water on the blades.

Answer

The water can refract radio signals, causing a loss of control link.

Answer

The aircraft's colour may become difficult to see against a grey sky.

Answer

Water droplets on camera lenses will obscure the video feed.