FAA 107 Drone Operations & Safety Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A remote PIC operating under Part 107 wants to use a visual observer (VO). Which statement is TRUE about the VO's role?
- The VO may operate the flight controls if needed
- The VO helps the remote PIC maintain situational awareness and see-and-avoid (Correct answer)
- The VO must also hold a Part 107 certificate
- Only one VO may be used per flight
Correct answer: The VO helps the remote PIC maintain situational awareness and see-and-avoid
Part 107.33 allows a VO to assist the remote PIC with situational awareness but the VO does not need a certificate and cannot operate the controls.
Question 2: During a Part 107 operation, the remote PIC observes that the drone's battery level drops unexpectedly fast. What is the best course of action?
- Continue the mission at reduced speed to conserve power
- Land immediately and investigate before continuing (Correct answer)
- Switch to the backup battery in flight
- Notify ATC of a potential emergency
Correct answer: Land immediately and investigate before continuing
Unexpected battery drain is a sign of malfunction and the remote PIC should land immediately to prevent a loss of power in flight.
Question 3: What is the purpose of the FAA's Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system?
- To register drones with the FAA automatically
- To provide near real-time authorization to fly in controlled airspace (Correct answer)
- To report drone accidents and incidents
- To assign remote ID broadcast modules to operators
Correct answer: To provide near real-time authorization to fly in controlled airspace
LAANC provides near real-time airspace authorization for Part 107 operators and recreational flyers to fly in controlled airspace up to approved altitudes.
Question 4: A sUAS remote PIC must apply for a waiver to operate in which of the following scenarios?
- Flying at 200 feet AGL in Class G airspace during the day
- Flying over a moving vehicle on a public road (Correct answer)
- Flying in Class G airspace at night with anti-collision lighting
- Flying within 400 feet of a structure taller than 200 feet
Correct answer: Flying over a moving vehicle on a public road
Flying over moving vehicles on public roads requires a Part 107 waiver under Part 107.39 unless within a controlled or restricted-access site.
Question 5: Remote ID regulations require most drones to broadcast which of the following during flight?
- The pilot's name and phone number
- The drone's location, altitude, and control station location (Correct answer)
- The drone's serial number and owner's address
- Only the registration number and current airspace class
Correct answer: The drone's location, altitude, and control station location
FAA Remote ID requires the drone to broadcast its location, altitude, velocity, and control station location, along with a session ID or serial number.
Question 6: A remote PIC is conducting a survey in a rural area and encounters unexpected instrument interference causing erratic flight behavior. What should they do first?
- Switch off the GPS to switch to manual control
- Land the aircraft as soon as safely possible (Correct answer)
- Fly higher to escape the interference zone
- Call the FAA for emergency guidance
Correct answer: Land the aircraft as soon as safely possible
Erratic flight behavior due to interference is an emergency situation requiring the remote PIC to land as soon as safely practicable.
Question 7: Under Part 107, which of the following correctly describes a 'recreational' flight versus a 'commercial' flight?
- Recreational flight requires no registration; commercial always does
- Any flight where payment is received — directly or indirectly — is commercial and requires Part 107 certification (Correct answer)
- Commercial flight requires a higher altitude waiver than recreational
- Recreational and commercial flights are governed by the same rules under Part 107
Correct answer: Any flight where payment is received — directly or indirectly — is commercial and requires Part 107 certification
The FAA considers any flight that is not purely for hobby or recreation — including indirect compensation like business promotion — to be commercial, requiring Part 107.
FAA 107 Drone Operations & Safety Procedures 5
A remote PIC operating under Part 107 wants to use a visual observer (VO).
Which statement is TRUE about the VO's role?