FAA 107 Physiological Effects & Pilot Fitness — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Under FAA Part 107, what is the minimum waiting period after consuming alcohol before acting as remote pilot in command?

4 hours
8 hours (Correct answer)
12 hours
24 hours

Correct 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.

Question 2: What is the maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) allowed for a remote pilot in command under FAA Part 107?

0.02%
0.04% (Correct answer)
0.08%
0.10%

Correct 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.

Question 3: A remote pilot legally uses marijuana in a state that has legalized it. Under FAA Part 107, which statement is correct?

They may fly as long as they are not visibly impaired
They must wait 8 hours after use before acting as PIC
They may never act as remote PIC because marijuana remains federally illegal (Correct answer)
They may fly if a licensed physician certifies them fit to fly

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.

Question 4: Which over-the-counter medication is MOST likely to impair a remote pilot's ability to safely operate a UAS?

Aspirin
Antacids (like Tums)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) (Correct answer)
Vitamin C

Correct answer: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

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

Question 5: Under FAA Part 107, a remote pilot who is taking a prescription medication should:

Never fly while on any prescription medication
Only fly if the medication is not a controlled substance
Consult a physician or AME about whether the medication affects the ability to fly safely (Correct answer)
Report the medication to the FAA before each flight

Correct 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.

Question 6: 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?

Only illegal drugs are prohibited
Both legal and illegal drugs that impair safety are prohibited (Correct answer)
Only Schedule I and II controlled substances are prohibited
The restriction applies only if a doctor has not prescribed the drug

Correct 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.

Question 7: Which combination would violate FAA Part 107 alcohol regulations even if both conditions individually might seem acceptable?

Having one beer 10 hours before flying and feeling rested
Having a BAC of 0.03% combined with feeling under the influence of alcohol (Correct answer)
Taking ibuprofen and flying 9 hours after last drinking
Flying in morning after drinking coffee the night before

Correct 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.

Question 8: What is the primary risk of fatigue during remote UAS operations?

Reduced physical strength making the controller hard to hold
Impaired judgment, slower reaction time, and increased error rate (Correct answer)
Better sensitivity to light making displays harder to read
Increased heart rate leading to overconfidence

Correct 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.

Question 9: Which visual scanning technique is recommended to help remote pilots detect other aircraft in the airspace around them?

Keeping eyes fixed on the drone at all times
Systematic sector-by-sector scanning of the sky in short, focused segments (Correct answer)
Relying exclusively on FPV goggles for awareness
Only scanning in the direction the drone is traveling

Correct 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.

Question 10: What is spatial disorientation in the context of small UAS operations?

Not knowing the GPS coordinates of the operating area
Flying in geographic territory the pilot is unfamiliar with
Loss of accurate perception of the drone's attitude, altitude, or position relative to the ground (Correct answer)
Operating a UAS beyond its approved operational area

Correct 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.

Question 11: 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?

Fly as planned since drones are easy to operate
Drink coffee to compensate and proceed with the flight
Assign a visual observer to handle airspace scanning while they focus on flying
Postpone or cancel the flight until adequately rested (Correct answer)

Correct 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.

Question 12: How can looking directly into the sun affect a remote pilot's ability to maintain visual line of sight with a UAS?

It improves visibility by illuminating the drone
It causes temporary blindness or loss of contrast that can make the drone difficult or impossible to see (Correct answer)
It only affects operations above 400 feet AGL
It has no significant effect if the pilot wears sunglasses

Correct 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.

Question 13: Which of the following is a recognized sign that a remote pilot may be experiencing fatigue during an operation?

Making more control inputs and errors than usual (Correct answer)
Feeling highly alert and energetic
Flying faster and more aggressively than normal
Communicating more frequently with the crew

Correct 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.

Question 14: What role does hypoxia play for a remote pilot conducting ground-based UAS operations at high-elevation locations such as mountainous terrain?

Hypoxia only affects manned aircraft pilots at altitude and is irrelevant to remote pilots
Hypoxia has no effect below 10,000 feet MSL under any circumstances
Mild hypoxia at elevations above approximately 5,000–8,000 feet can subtly impair judgment and mental performance (Correct answer)
Hypoxia increases alertness and improves decision-making at high elevations

Correct 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.

Question 15: What is the purpose of the 'I'M SAFE' checklist for remote pilots?

To verify pre-flight UAS hardware is functioning correctly
To assess a pilot's personal fitness and readiness to fly safely (Correct answer)
To confirm airspace authorization has been obtained
To document weather conditions before each flight

Correct 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.

Question 16: In the I'M SAFE checklist, what does the letter 'I' represent?

Instruments
Illness (Correct answer)
Impairment
Identification

Correct 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.

Question 17: In the I'M SAFE checklist, what does the letter 'S' represent?

Speed
Sleep
Stress (Correct answer)
Systems

Correct answer: Stress

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

Question 18: In the I'M SAFE checklist, what does the letter 'E' represent?

Equipment
Experience
Emotion (Correct answer)
Environment

Correct 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.

Question 19: Under FAA Part 107, who bears primary responsibility for determining whether a remote pilot is fit to fly on a given day?

The FAA Medical Division through periodic medical certificates
The drone operating company's safety officer
The remote pilot in command themselves (Correct answer)
A designated aviation medical examiner (AME)

Correct 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.

Question 20: A remote pilot arrives at a job site feeling dizzy and light-headed but has no other symptoms. What should they do?

Proceed with the flight since dizziness is not specifically listed as a disqualifying condition
Assign the flight to a visual observer while they supervise from the ground
Postpone the flight because the dizziness could impair their ability to maintain situational awareness (Correct answer)
Take an aspirin and begin the flight once the dizziness subsides slightly

Correct 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.

Question 21: Which scenario would BEST demonstrate a remote pilot correctly applying the principles of physiological fitness under Part 107?

Flying despite a severe headache because the client's deadline cannot be moved
Taking a drowsy-formula cold medicine, then waiting 30 minutes before flying
Recognizing they are emotionally distracted after bad news, and rescheduling the flight (Correct answer)
Consuming alcohol at lunch and waiting exactly 7.5 hours before the afternoon flight

Correct answer: Recognizing they are emotionally distracted after bad news, and rescheduling the flight

Recognizing that emotional distress impairs judgment and voluntarily rescheduling demonstrates proper application of the I'M SAFE self-assessment and aeronautical decision-making.

FAA 107 Physiological Effects & Pilot Fitness

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

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