Physiological Effects & Pilot Fitness Flashcards

Under FAA Part 107, what is the minimum waiting period after consuming alcohol before acting as remote pilot in command?

Answer: 8 hours

FAR 107.27 prohibits acting as remote PIC within 8 hours after consuming any alcoholic beverage, commonly known as the 'bottle to throttle' rule.

What is the maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) allowed for a remote pilot in command under FAA Part 107?

Answer: 0.04%

FAR 107.27 sets the BAC limit at 0.04 percent, which is lower than the typical 0.08 percent legal driving limit.

A remote pilot legally uses marijuana in a state that has legalized it. Under FAA Part 107, which statement is correct?

Answer: They may never act as remote PIC because marijuana remains federally illegal

FAA regulations are federal law, and marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance federally, so state legality is irrelevant to FAA Part 107 compliance.

Which over-the-counter medication is MOST likely to impair a remote pilot's ability to safely operate a UAS?

Answer: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine that causes significant drowsiness and impairs reaction time, making it dangerous for drone operations.

Under FAA Part 107, a remote pilot who is taking a prescription medication should:

Answer: Consult a physician or AME about whether the medication affects the ability to fly safely

The remote pilot is responsible for self-certification of fitness, so consulting a physician about medication effects on judgment and reaction time is the correct approach.

FAR 107.27 prohibits a remote pilot from acting as PIC while using any drug that affects the person's faculties in any way contrary to safety. Which best describes this standard?

Answer: Both legal and illegal drugs that impair safety are prohibited

The regulation covers any drug — prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal — if it affects the pilot's faculties in a manner contrary to safe operation.

Which combination would violate FAA Part 107 alcohol regulations even if both conditions individually might seem acceptable?

Answer: Having a BAC of 0.03% combined with feeling under the influence of alcohol

Part 107 prohibits flying while under the influence of alcohol regardless of BAC level, so a 0.03% BAC combined with subjective impairment still violates the regulation.

What is the primary risk of fatigue during remote UAS operations?

Answer: Impaired judgment, slower reaction time, and increased error rate

Fatigue most critically degrades cognitive function, slowing reaction times and impairing the decision-making needed to respond safely to inflight emergencies.

Which visual scanning technique is recommended to help remote pilots detect other aircraft in the airspace around them?

Answer: Systematic sector-by-sector scanning of the sky in short, focused segments

Systematic sector scanning, moving the eyes in short, overlapping segments across the sky, is the most effective method for detecting other aircraft and maintaining situational awareness.

What is spatial disorientation in the context of small UAS operations?

Answer: Loss of accurate perception of the drone's attitude, altitude, or position relative to the ground

Spatial disorientation occurs when a remote pilot loses accurate situational awareness of the drone's orientation or position, which can lead to loss of control.

A remote pilot is preparing for an afternoon flight but realizes they slept only 4 hours the previous night. What is the BEST course of action?

Answer: Postpone or cancel the flight until adequately rested

Significant sleep deprivation impairs judgment and reaction time similarly to alcohol intoxication, and the safest action is to postpone the operation.

How can looking directly into the sun affect a remote pilot's ability to maintain visual line of sight with a UAS?

Answer: It causes temporary blindness or loss of contrast that can make the drone difficult or impossible to see

Glare from the sun can temporarily overpower the visual system, making it difficult to detect and track a small UAS against a bright background.

Which of the following is a recognized sign that a remote pilot may be experiencing fatigue during an operation?

Answer: Making more control inputs and errors than usual

Increased error rate and more frequent control corrections are classic symptoms of fatigue, indicating degraded fine motor control and attention.

What role does hypoxia play for a remote pilot conducting ground-based UAS operations at high-elevation locations such as mountainous terrain?

Answer: Mild hypoxia at elevations above approximately 5,000–8,000 feet can subtly impair judgment and mental performance

Even at moderate elevations, reduced oxygen availability can impair cognitive function, and remote pilots at high-altitude ground sites should be aware of potential hypoxic effects.

What is the purpose of the 'I'M SAFE' checklist for remote pilots?

Answer: To assess a pilot's personal fitness and readiness to fly safely

The I'M SAFE checklist is a personal fitness self-assessment tool that helps pilots determine whether physical or mental conditions could impair safe operation.

In the I'M SAFE checklist, what does the letter 'I' represent?

Answer: Illness

The 'I' stands for Illness — pilots should evaluate whether any current illness or symptoms could affect their ability to safely operate the UAS.

In the I'M SAFE checklist, what does the letter 'S' represent?

Answer: Stress

The 'S' stands for Stress — high stress levels from personal, financial, or professional sources can distract a pilot and degrade situational awareness.

In the I'M SAFE checklist, what does the letter 'E' represent?

Answer: Emotion

The 'E' stands for Emotion — strong emotional states such as anger, grief, or anxiety can significantly impair judgment and focus during flight operations.

Under FAA Part 107, who bears primary responsibility for determining whether a remote pilot is fit to fly on a given day?

Answer: The remote pilot in command themselves

Part 107 does not require an FAA medical certificate; instead, the remote PIC is responsible for self-certifying fitness before each operation.

A remote pilot arrives at a job site feeling dizzy and light-headed but has no other symptoms. What should they do?

Answer: Postpone the flight because the dizziness could impair their ability to maintain situational awareness

Dizziness and light-headedness can indicate a medical condition affecting spatial awareness and judgment, making safe UAS operation unreliable and potentially dangerous.