Mixed Deck — All A2 COFC Topics Flashcards

After completing a flight, a remote pilot removes a warm LiPo battery from their drone. What is the correct immediate next step before recharging it?

Answer: Allow the battery to cool down naturally to the ambient room temperature.

LiPo batteries generate heat during discharge. Attempting to charge a battery while it is still warm can cause damage to the cells, reduce its lifespan, and increase safety risks. Best practice is to let the battery rest and cool down to the surrounding temperature before connecting it to a charger.

What is a METAR and how is it useful for drone pilots?

Answer: A routine aviation weather report giving current conditions at an aerodrome including wind, visibility, cloud, and temperature

A METAR is a standardised, coded aviation weather observation report issued at regular intervals (typically hourly or half-hourly). Drone pilots can use METARs from nearby aerodromes to assess current conditions such as wind speed, visibility, and cloud base before flying.

What rights do members of the public have if they are captured in drone footage under UK GDPR?

Answer: They have the right to access, erasure, and objection to processing of their personal data

Under UK GDPR, individuals have several rights including the right to be informed about data collection, right of access to their data, right to erasure ('right to be forgotten'), right to object to processing, and right to lodge a complaint with the ICO. These apply to identifiable individuals captured in drone footage.

While flying, a remote pilot receives a "GPS Signal Lost" warning and observes that the UAS is no longer holding its position, instead starting to drift with the wind. This behaviour indicates the UAS has most likely reverted to which flight mode?

Answer: B. Attitude (ATTI) Mode

ATTI mode is a flight mode where the UAS uses its barometer to maintain a stable altitude but does not use GPS for horizontal positioning. When GPS is lost, the aircraft will default to this mode, requiring the pilot to make constant manual inputs to counteract wind drift and maintain position.

A drone pilot is planning to fly 4 km from a licensed aerodrome boundary. What must they check first?

Answer: Whether they are within the aerodrome's Flight Restriction Zone and contact the aerodrome if so

FRZs can extend up to 5 km from an aerodrome boundary, so at 4 km the pilot is potentially within the FRZ. They must check using an approved app or NOTAM service and, if within the FRZ, contact the aerodrome to obtain permission before flying.

What is an Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) and how does it affect drone pilots?

Answer: A cylinder of airspace around an aerodrome; drones must not enter without permission from the aerodrome

An ATZ is a defined volume of airspace around an aerodrome (typically 2 nm radius, surface to 2,000 ft AAL) intended to protect aircraft in the circuit. Drone pilots must contact the aerodrome and obtain permission before entering an ATZ.

Under what circumstances is a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) required for drone operations?

Answer: When the processing is likely to result in a high risk to individuals' rights and freedoms, such as systematic surveillance of public areas

A DPIA is required under UK GDPR when processing is likely to result in a high risk to individuals' rights and freedoms. For drone operations, this includes systematic monitoring of public areas, large-scale processing of personal data, or operations involving vulnerable individuals.

Which of the following best describes the role of a manufacturer's built-in geo-awareness system as a technical mitigation for ground risk in the UK?

Answer: It provides advisory information, but the remote pilot must always verify airspace restrictions using official sources like the UK AIP.

The UK CAA has issued safety notices (e.g., SN-2023/005) stating that pilots should not rely solely on manufacturers' geo-awareness or geofencing systems. These systems are an advisory tool, but the ultimate legal responsibility lies with the remote pilot to consult official, accurate sources such as the UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) for all airspace restrictions. The manufacturer's data may not always be current or accurate.

Why is it important to maintain a flight log for drone operations?

Answer: It provides evidence of compliance, supports incident investigation, and is required by some operators and insurers

While not always a strict legal requirement for open category flights, maintaining a flight log is strongly recommended and often required by commercial clients, insurers, and as part of any specific category authorisation. In the event of an incident, a log provides crucial evidence of pre-flight checks, flight duration, and operational parameters.

The 'IMSAFE' checklist is a self-assessment tool recommended by the CAA for pilots to determine their fitness to fly. What does the 'F' in this acronym represent?

Answer: Fatigue

The IMSAFE checklist stands for: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and Emotion/Eating. The 'F' represents Fatigue, prompting pilots to assess if they are sufficiently rested to operate their UAS safely and maintain concentration.

What class of airspace is typically found around major UK airports such as Heathrow and Gatwick?

Answer: Class A

Major UK airports like Heathrow and Gatwick are located within Class A controlled airspace, which is the most restrictive. No VFR flight is permitted, and all traffic requires ATC clearance.

What should a drone pilot do immediately if they lose control of the aircraft?

Answer: Attempt to regain control, activate Return to Home if safe, alert any people in the flight path, and land as safely as possible

In a loss-of-control scenario, the priority is preventing harm. The pilot should attempt to regain control, use Return to Home if the home point is safe, warn any people nearby, and accept that the drone may be damaged to protect people on the ground. Switching off the controller may trigger a failsafe that is inappropriate for the situation.

A remote pilot observes their UAS making erratic, tight circling movements shortly after take-off near a steel-framed building. This dangerous behaviour, often called the 'toilet bowl effect', is a classic precursor to a flyaway and is most commonly caused by what?

Answer: D. Severe magnetic interference affecting the onboard compass.

The 'toilet bowl effect' occurs when the flight controller receives conflicting information between the GPS, which knows the aircraft's true position, and the compass, which is providing an incorrect heading due to magnetic interference. This conflict causes the UAS to fly in erratic circles as it tries to correct its path.

During which season are UK drone pilots most likely to encounter reduced visibility due to radiation fog?

Answer: Autumn and winter

Radiation fog forms during clear, calm nights when the ground cools rapidly and chills the air above it to its dew point. This is most common in autumn and winter in the UK when nights are long and temperatures drop quickly, often persisting into the morning.

What does the A2 CofC qualification specifically permit a drone operator to do that a basic open category flyer cannot?

Answer: Fly a C2-class drone as close as 30 m horizontally to uninvolved persons

The A2 CofC allows the holder to fly a C2-class drone in the open category subcategory A2, maintaining a reduced horizontal distance of 30 m from uninvolved persons (or 15 m in low-speed mode). This is the key additional privilege over the basic A1/A3 rules.

What is a NOTAM and why is it important for drone pilots?

Answer: Notice to Airmen — it provides temporary information about hazards, restrictions, and changes to airspace

NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) are official notices containing information essential to flight safety. For drone pilots, NOTAMs can flag temporary airspace restrictions, emergency operations, military exercises, and events that may affect where they can fly on any given day.

Which class marking must a drone carry to fly close to uninvolved people in the A2 subcategory without maintaining 150m horizontal distance?

Answer: C2

A drone with a C2 class marking can be flown in the A2 subcategory. With an A2 CofC and a C2-marked drone, the pilot may fly as close as 30 metres to uninvolved people (or closer in low-speed mode).

How long should drone operators retain personal data captured during flights under UK GDPR?

Answer: Only for as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected, as defined in their retention policy

UK GDPR's storage limitation principle requires that personal data be kept for no longer than necessary for the purposes for which it was collected. Drone operators should have a clear data retention policy specifying how long footage is kept and when it will be securely deleted.

What is the recommended action if a drone's motor begins to sound abnormal during flight?

Answer: Land immediately at the nearest safe location and inspect the motor before further flight

Abnormal motor sounds can indicate bearing failure, propeller damage, FOD ingestion, or electrical issues. Any of these could lead to sudden motor failure. The prudent action is to land immediately and conduct a thorough inspection before resuming operations.

When must a UK drone operator register with the Civil Aviation Authority?

Answer: When operating a drone 250 g or over, or any drone with a camera

CAA operator registration is required if you fly a drone that weighs 250 g or more, or any drone (regardless of weight) that is equipped with a camera or sensor capable of capturing personal data. Registration applies to operators, not just pilots.