FAA 107 Weather Effects & Flight Planning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information does a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) provide that is most useful for drone pilots?
- Historical weather data for the past 30 days
- Forecast weather conditions at an airport for up to 30 hours (Correct answer)
- Real-time radar imagery
- ATC communication frequencies
Correct answer: Forecast weather conditions at an airport for up to 30 hours
A TAF provides forecast weather conditions including wind, visibility, and sky cover at an airport location for up to 30 hours ahead.
Question 2: Which condition is most dangerous for drone operations involving potential ice accumulation?
- Flying in temperatures above 60°F with low humidity
- Flying through visible moisture when temperatures are near or below freezing (Correct answer)
- Flying in dry desert conditions
- Flying during midday summer heat
Correct answer: Flying through visible moisture when temperatures are near or below freezing
Flying through visible moisture such as clouds, rain, or fog when temperatures are near or below freezing creates structural icing risk on drone components.
Question 3: What does 'wind shear' mean in the context of drone flight planning?
- A steady, predictable wind at cruise altitude
- A sudden change in wind speed or direction over a short distance (Correct answer)
- The maximum wind speed a drone can handle
- A legal wind speed limit for drone operations
Correct answer: A sudden change in wind speed or direction over a short distance
Wind shear is a sudden change in wind speed or direction over a short distance, which can cause rapid and unexpected changes in drone performance.
Question 4: Under Part 107, which weather condition would most likely require a waiver before conducting operations?
- Clear skies with 15 mph steady winds
- Flight visibility below 3 statute miles (Correct answer)
- Temperatures above 90°F
- Wind gusts up to 20 mph
Correct answer: Flight visibility below 3 statute miles
Part 107 requires minimum 3 statute miles flight visibility; operations below this visibility require a waiver from the FAA.
Question 5: What is a 'convective SIGMET' and when would a drone pilot likely encounter its effects?
- A forecast for ideal flying conditions near convective activity
- A warning about severe thunderstorm-related hazards including turbulence and hail (Correct answer)
- A notice about airspace closures due to military exercises
- A routine weather briefing for commercial aviation only
Correct answer: A warning about severe thunderstorm-related hazards including turbulence and hail
A convective SIGMET warns of severe thunderstorm-related hazards such as extreme turbulence, hail, and lightning that pose serious risk to all aircraft including drones.
Question 6: How does a temperature inversion affect low-altitude drone flights?
- Always improves visibility below the inversion layer
- Can trap pollutants and reduce visibility; also creates unusual wind patterns (Correct answer)
- Eliminates turbulence completely
- Increases effective battery range
Correct answer: Can trap pollutants and reduce visibility; also creates unusual wind patterns
A temperature inversion can trap pollutants, haze, and fog below the inversion layer reducing visibility, and creates unusual wind shear at the inversion boundary.
Question 7: When reading a METAR, what does 'OVC008' in the sky condition field indicate?
- Overcast clouds at 800 feet AGL (Correct answer)
- 8 octas of clouds at 8,000 feet
- Occasional clouds at 80 feet
- Open skies with visibility 8 miles
Correct answer: Overcast clouds at 800 feet AGL
OVC008 means overcast cloud layer at 800 feet AGL (cloud heights in METARs are reported in hundreds of feet).
FAA 107 Weather Effects & Flight Planning 3
What information does a Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) provide that is most useful for drone pilots?