FAA 107 Emergency Procedures & Contingency Planning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of establishing a 'lost link' (lost communications) procedure before a sUAS flight?
- To satisfy FAA record-keeping requirements
- To ensure the aircraft behaves predictably and safely if the control link fails (Correct answer)
- To inform ATC of the aircraft's last known position
- To activate the manufacturer warranty on the control system
Correct answer: To ensure the aircraft behaves predictably and safely if the control link fails
A lost link procedure ensures the aircraft follows a pre-planned safe behavior — such as hovering, landing, or returning home — when the control link is interrupted.
Question 2: During an operation, your sUAS begins to emit smoke. What is the most appropriate immediate response?
- Activate the fire suppression payload if equipped
- Land immediately in the safest available location (Correct answer)
- Return to home automatically to preserve the aircraft
- Increase altitude to keep smoke away from bystanders
Correct answer: Land immediately in the safest available location
Smoke indicates a potential fire or electrical failure; immediate landing in the safest available area minimizes risk to people and property.
Question 3: A remote PIC is operating near an active airport and the control tower issues a 'go around' instruction to a manned aircraft. What should the remote PIC do?
- Maintain current position — the instruction is for manned aircraft
- Immediately descend below 100 feet AGL to give the manned aircraft clearance
- Land immediately or take action to remain clear of the manned aircraft's path (Correct answer)
- Activate strobe lights to make the sUAS more visible
Correct answer: Land immediately or take action to remain clear of the manned aircraft's path
A go-around by manned aircraft near your operating area requires the remote PIC to immediately yield and take action to stay clear of the manned aircraft's flight path.
Question 4: Under Part 107, how should a remote PIC document an sUAS accident that results in serious injury to a bystander?
- File a report with local law enforcement within 24 hours
- Report to the FAA within 10 days of the accident
- Notify the NTSB and file an Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS) report
- Submit an online report to the FAA within 10 calendar days (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Submit an online report to the FAA within 10 calendar days
Part 107.9 requires the remote PIC to report any accident involving serious injury or property damage exceeding $500 to the FAA within 10 calendar days.
Question 5: What is the recommended action if an sUAS experiences a 'fly away' where the aircraft stops responding and flies beyond the intended area?
- Chase the aircraft with a vehicle to maintain visual contact
- Cut all power to the controller to trigger the failsafe
- Attempt all available override inputs, then notify authorities and track the aircraft (Correct answer)
- Immediately call the manufacturer's emergency hotline
Correct answer: Attempt all available override inputs, then notify authorities and track the aircraft
During a flyaway, the PIC should attempt all available control inputs, then document the aircraft's last known direction, and notify relevant authorities (ATC if near airspace, local law enforcement).
Question 6: Which of the following best describes a 'risk-based' contingency plan element for sUAS operations over infrastructure?
- A checklist of weather minimums for the operation
- Predefined abort criteria and alternative landing sites mapped before flight (Correct answer)
- A record of the remote PIC's training and certifications
- A copy of the airspace authorization for the operation area
Correct answer: Predefined abort criteria and alternative landing sites mapped before flight
A risk-based contingency plan identifies specific abort triggers and pre-selected alternate landing sites, enabling quick decision-making when conditions change.
Question 7: If a remote PIC experiences spatial disorientation during flight due to sun glare, the safest immediate action is to:
- Trust the aircraft's autopilot and look away briefly to recover orientation
- Immediately switch to FPV to regain visual reference
- Activate return-to-home and shield eyes from the glare source (Correct answer)
- Hand control to a visual observer until orientation is restored
Correct answer: Activate return-to-home and shield eyes from the glare source
When the PIC loses visual orientation due to glare, activating return-to-home while shielding from the glare source allows the aircraft to navigate safely while the PIC recovers.
FAA 107 Emergency Procedures & Contingency Planning 3
What is the primary purpose of establishing a 'lost link' (lost communications) procedure before a sUAS flight?