FAA Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield FAA facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Where must the FAA registration number be displayed on a sUAS? → On an exterior surface of the sUAS
2. Why is it important for remote pilots to maintain situational awareness? → To understand and respond to the dynamic environment around them
3. How high may a remote pilot fly when operating within 400 feet of a 600-foot tall structure? → Up to 1,000 feet AGL
4. What are the characteristics of a stable air mass? → Smooth air, poor visibility, and stratiform clouds.
5. A current Part 61 certificated pilot can exercise Part 107 privileges after completing which requirement? → An online Part 107 recurrent training course
6. Part 107 prohibits operating a sUAS in a manner that: → Endangers the life or property of another person
7. As an sUAS enters a steeper banked turn, what happens to the load factor and power requirement? → Load factor increases and power requirement increases
8. Which Part 107 operation requires an FAA waiver? → Beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations
9. What happens to a remote pilot's Part 107 privileges if they fail to complete recurrent training within 24 calendar months? → Their privilege to act as remote PIC lapses until training is completed
10. As of September 16, 2023, what is required for most drones that need to be registered with the FAA? → They must comply with Remote ID regulations.
11. If you attach a Remote ID broadcast module to your drone to become compliant, what must you do regarding FAA registration? → Link the broadcast module's serial number to your drone's registration record.
12. What does 'visual line of sight' (VLOS) require of the remote pilot under Part 107? → The remote pilot can see the sUAS with unaided vision at all times
13. What should the RPIC do if they lose control link with the sUAS during flight? → Attempt to regain control and follow pre-planned lost link procedures
14. How long must a Remote Pilot wait after consuming alcohol before operating a sUAS? → 8 hours
15. Which component is crucial for determining the location, altitude, and direction of the sUAS? → The GPS system
16. What is the primary danger associated with thunderstorms for an sUAS? → Extreme turbulence and wind shear.
17. The valid period of a routine Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is typically: → 24 hours.
18. What must a remote pilot provide to law enforcement who requests inspection during sUAS operations? → Remote Pilot Certificate and FAA aircraft registration
19. The term 'arm' in weight and balance calculations refers to the: → Horizontal distance from the reference datum.
20. When operating a drone without Remote ID capability within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA), the remote pilot must ensure the drone... → remains within the FRIA's boundaries and within visual line of sight.
21. For the purpose of Part 107 operations over people, the flight is not considered to be 'over' people if... → the drone passes over them so quickly that it is not sustained.
22. If a new payload is added to an sUAS, what must the Remote PIC do before flight? → Recalculate weight and balance to ensure it is within limits.
23. What effect does high density altitude have on the performance of a small unmanned aircraft? → Performance is decreased due to reduced propeller efficiency.
24. For night operations, the anti-collision lights on a small unmanned aircraft must be visible for at least how many statute miles? → 3 statute miles
25. Under Part 107, a person may NOT act as remote PIC or visual observer while: → Under the influence of alcohol or any drug that affects their faculties
26. (Refer to METAR: KXYZ 121853Z AUTO 18015G25KT 3SM -RA BKN008 OVC012 13/12 A2992) What is the reported ceiling? → 800 feet AGL.
27. How can remote pilots mitigate the effects of fatigue during flight operations? → By scheduling regular rest breaks and ensuring adequate sleep before operations
28. An sUAS is loaded with its center of gravity (CG) at the most aft limit. What flight characteristic should the remote pilot expect? → The sUAS will be unstable and difficult to recover from a stall.
29. Which weather product is a report of current surface weather observations, rather than a forecast? → METAR (Aviation Routine Weather Report).
30. Which combination of conditions would lead to the highest density altitude? → High altitude, high temperature, and high humidity.