Weather Effects & Flight Planning Flashcards
7 cards from real FAA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Weather Effects & Flight Planning flashcards as text
What weather product provides continuous weather radar data most useful for identifying precipitation near a planned drone flight area?
Answer: NEXRAD radar imagery via apps like ForeFlight or AirMap
NEXRAD radar imagery, available through aviation apps, provides near-real-time precipitation data to identify rain, hail, and storm cells near planned flight areas.
A drone pilot notices their aircraft is drifting consistently in one direction despite a hover command. What does this indicate?
Answer: A persistent crosswind affecting the drone's position
Consistent drift in one direction during hover indicates a persistent crosswind that the drone's flight controller is compensating for, or occasionally failing to fully compensate for.
What is the maximum wind speed generally considered safe for most consumer and commercial drones per manufacturer guidelines?
Answer: 20-25 mph (17-22 knots)
Most consumer and commercial drones have rated wind resistance of approximately 20-25 mph; exceeding this risks loss of control, though pilots should always check their specific aircraft's manual.
Which surface is most likely to produce thermal updrafts that could affect low-altitude drone operations on a hot sunny day?
Answer: Dark asphalt parking lots or rooftops
Dark asphalt and rooftops absorb solar radiation rapidly and produce strong thermal updrafts as heated air rises, creating turbulence hazardous to low-altitude drone operations.
What does 'VFR not recommended' in a standard weather briefing mean for a drone pilot operating in uncontrolled airspace?
Answer: Current or forecast weather is below VFR minimums, making visual flight unsafe though not always illegal
'VFR not recommended' means a briefer believes weather is or will be below VFR minimums in the area, advising caution even if a pilot believes they can maintain VFR.
A drone pilot receives a weather briefing indicating 'LLWS' (Low-Level Wind Shear) alerts for the area. What specific risk does this present?
Answer: Sudden drastic changes in wind speed/direction that can cause rapid altitude loss or control loss
LLWS involves sudden, drastic changes in wind speed or direction at low altitudes that can cause rapid altitude loss, attitude upsets, or complete loss of control.
Why should drone pilots be cautious about flying immediately after a cold frontal passage?
Answer: Post-frontal air often brings strong, gusty winds and turbulence as the new air mass stabilizes
After a cold front passes, the new cold air mass often brings strong, gusty winds and mechanical turbulence that can persist for hours as the atmosphere restabilizes.