Drone Pilot Flashcards

You hear an aircraft declare that they are midway left downwind to RWY 13 while monitoring the Cooperstown CTAF. What would the plane's position be in relation to the runway?

Answer: The aircraft is East.

A runway number, like RWY 13, indicates a magnetic heading of 130 degrees. An aircraft on a 'left downwind' leg flies parallel to the runway in the opposite direction of landing, with the runway on its left. Therefore, for RWY 13 (landing heading 130°), the downwind leg would be flown at approximately 310° (130° + 180°), placing the aircraft to the east of the runway.

The angle of ___________ is the angle formed by the chord line of an airfoil and the relative wind.

Answer: attack

The angle of attack is a fundamental aerodynamic principle defined as the angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the direction of the relative wind. This angle is crucial because it directly determines the amount of lift and drag generated by the wing. Understanding and controlling the angle of attack is essential for safe and efficient flight, as exceeding the critical angle of attack leads to a stall.

A small UA causes an accident, and one of your crew members passes out. When do you notify the authorities about the accident?

Answer: Within 10 days of the accident. [107.9 Accident reporting. “No later than 10 calendar days after an operation that meets the criteria of either paragraph (c) or (b) of this section[.]”]

According to 14 CFR Part 107.9, a remote pilot in command must report an accident to the FAA no later than 10 calendar days after the incident. An accident is defined as an operation that results in serious injury to any person or damage to property exceeding $500. A crew member passing out due to an accident would likely qualify as a serious injury, triggering this reporting requirement.

Which of the main groups of airspace is classified as controlled airspace?

Answer: Class B, C, E and D

Controlled airspace refers to areas where air traffic control services are provided, requiring specific clearances and communication. Class B, C, D, and E airspaces are all categorized as controlled airspace, each with varying levels of restrictions and services. Class G airspace, conversely, is uncontrolled airspace where ATC services are not routinely provided.

What is the significance of the latitude line at point 4?

Answer: The degrees of latitude north and south from the equator

Latitude lines, also known as parallels, are imaginary lines that measure the angular distance north or south of the Equator. The Equator itself is 0 degrees latitude, and these lines extend up to 90 degrees North (North Pole) and 90 degrees South (South Pole). They are essential for pinpointing a location's north-south position on Earth.

Downdrafts are most common during which stage of the thunderstorm lifecycle?

Answer: Dissipating

During the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm, the updrafts that sustained the storm weaken and are eventually overcome by the downdrafts. This stage is primarily characterized by falling precipitation and cool air descending from the cloud, leading to strong downdrafts. The prevalence of downdrafts signifies the storm's loss of energy and its eventual demise.

What effect does high density altitude have on propeller efficiency versus low density altitude, and why?

Answer: Efficiency is reduced because the propeller exerts less force at high density altitudes than at low density altitudes.

High density altitude means the air is less dense, similar to flying at a higher actual altitude or in hotter conditions. In less dense air, a propeller's blades encounter fewer air molecules per revolution, which reduces the amount of thrust they can generate. This decreased interaction with air molecules results in less force exerted by the propeller, leading to reduced efficiency and overall aircraft performance.

Small unmanned aircraft systems are subject to registration requirements. Under what conditions would a small UA not be required to register before operating in the United States?

Answer: When the aircraft weighs less than .55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is on-board or attached to the aircraft.

According to 14 CFR Part 48, small unmanned aircraft weighing less than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) are exempt from federal registration requirements. This threshold applies to the total takeoff weight, including any payload or attachments. Drones weighing 0.55 pounds or more, regardless of their intended use (recreational or commercial), must be registered with the FAA.

Your unmanned aircraft (sUAS) collided with an automobile, causing more than $500 in damage. When do you have to notify the FAA?

Answer: Within 10 calendar days.

As per 14 CFR Part 107.9, any small unmanned aircraft accident that results in serious injury to any person or property damage exceeding $500 (to property other than the small UA itself) must be reported to the FAA. This notification must occur no later than 10 calendar days after the accident. The $500 damage threshold to an automobile triggers this reporting requirement.

You notice gray arrows nearby labeled "VR1667" and "VR1668" while looking out your planned area of operations on a sectional chart. Do these symbols present a hazard to your operation?

Answer: Yes, these indicate military exercises at below 1500 feet AGL

The symbols 'VR' on a sectional chart denote Military Training Routes (MTRs) flown under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Specifically, VR routes with four digits (e.g., VR1667, VR1668) indicate that at least one segment of the route is flown below 1,500 feet AGL. These routes represent areas of high-speed, low-altitude military aircraft activity and therefore pose a significant hazard to drone operations.

“Left downwind for runway one six,” announces an aircraft. This indicates that the aircraft is heading in the direction of:

Answer: 340 degrees

Runway 16 indicates a magnetic heading of 160 degrees for landing. A downwind leg is flown in the opposite direction of landing, so the aircraft would be heading approximately 160 + 180 = 340 degrees. The term 'left downwind' means the aircraft is positioned to the left of the runway when looking in the landing direction, flying parallel to it.

What characterizes a moist, unstable air mass?

Answer: Turbulence and showery precipitation.

A moist, unstable air mass is characterized by air that is warm and humid, with a tendency to rise rapidly. This upward movement leads to the formation of towering cumulus clouds and often results in turbulence due to the convective activity. The rapid condensation and vertical development also commonly produce showery precipitation, which can be heavy but short-lived.

Small unmanned aircraft systems are subject to registration requirements. When must a person register a small UA with the Federal Aviation Administration, according to 14 CFR part 48?

Answer: All civilian small UAS weighing greater than .55 pounds must be registered regardless of its intended use.

According to 14 CFR Part 48, any small unmanned aircraft (sUAS) weighing 0.55 pounds (250 grams) or more must be registered with the FAA. This requirement applies to all civilian operators, whether the drone is used for recreational purposes or commercial operations. The registration ensures accountability and helps the FAA maintain a record of drones operating in the national airspace.

When an airplane wing stalls, the angle of attack is:

Answer: remain the same regardless of gross weight.

An airplane wing stalls when it exceeds its critical angle of attack, which is the angle at which the airflow separates from the upper surface of the wing, leading to a sudden loss of lift. This critical angle of attack is a characteristic of the wing's design and remains constant for a given airfoil. While other factors might influence the speed at which a stall occurs, the critical angle of attack itself is fixed.

When scanning for air traffic activity near Mason Jewett Airport, which frequency should be used as the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)?

Answer: 122.7

To determine the correct Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) for Mason Jewett Airport, one would consult a sectional chart. On the sectional chart, the CTAF frequency is typically depicted near the airport information. For Mason Jewett (KTEW), the CTAF is 122.7 MHz, which pilots use to self-announce their positions and intentions when no air traffic control tower is operating.

Hicks Airport (T67) northwest of Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (FTW), a Class B airspace floor.

Answer: 4,000 ft. MSL

To determine the Class B airspace floor near Hicks Airport (T67) northwest of Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (FTW), one must consult a sectional chart. Class B airspace is depicted by solid blue lines with numbers indicating the ceiling and floor in hundreds of feet MSL. By locating Hicks Airport on the sectional chart and identifying the Class B airspace segment it is near, the floor can be read, which is 4,000 feet MSL in that specific area.

In the terminal radar program, TRSA Service provides

Answer: sequencing and separation for participating VFR aircraft.

Terminal Radar Service Areas (TRSAs) are areas where pilots can receive additional radar services, primarily sequencing and separation, from ATC. While participation in TRSA services is optional for VFR aircraft, it provides an enhanced level of safety by helping pilots maintain separation from other participating aircraft and assisting with traffic flow in busy terminal environments. This service is designed to improve safety and efficiency in high-traffic areas.

Small unmanned aircraft systems are subject to registration requirements. When, according to 14 CFR part 48, is it not permissible for a small UA owner to register it?

Answer: The owner is less than 13 years of age. [48.25 says, “(b) A small unmanned aircraft must be registered by its owner using the legal name of its owner, unless the owner is less than 13 years of age. If the owner is less than 13 years of age, then the small unmanned aircraft must be registered by a person who is at least 13 years of age.” Keep in mind that they are trying to make you know Part 48. There are other answers as to why a person could not register via Part 47 such as being a foreign citizen.]

According to 14 CFR Part 48.25(b), an individual must be at least 13 years of age to register a small unmanned aircraft in their own name. If the owner is younger than 13, the drone must be registered by a person who is at least 13 years old. This regulation ensures that a responsible party is legally accountable for the registered aircraft.

What are the properties of air that is unstable?

Answer: Turbulence and good surface visibility.

Unstable air is characterized by a tendency for air parcels to rise, leading to vertical air currents and convective activity. This vertical movement often results in turbulence and the formation of towering clouds like cumulus. While unstable air can produce precipitation, the strong vertical mixing typically leads to good surface visibility as pollutants and moisture are dispersed upwards.

You intend to fly a drone approximately 4 miles north of Cochran Airport. What is the height of the nearest obstacle in the area, according to the sectional chart?

Answer: 1568 feet MSL

To answer this, one would need to refer to a sectional chart for the area around Cochran Airport. Obstacles are typically depicted with a symbol (e.g., a small inverted 'V' or a lightning bolt) and two numbers: the top number is the obstacle's height in feet MSL (Mean Sea Level), and the bottom number in parentheses is its height AGL (Above Ground Level). By locating the area 4 miles north of Cochran Airport on the chart, the highest obstacle's MSL height can be identified as 1568 feet.