RPC - Remote Pilot Certificate Airport and Off-Site Operations Questions and Answers 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A remote pilot has authorization to conduct ground operations at a towered airport. While taxiing the sUAS, they approach a set of four yellow lines painted across the taxiway: two solid and two dashed. What does this marking indicate?
- The boundary of a non-movement area, which can be crossed without clearance.
- The ILS critical area boundary, which is only relevant during poor weather.
- A runway holding position marking, which requires ATC clearance to cross from the solid-line side. (Correct answer)
- A taxiway direction sign, indicating an upcoming turn.
Correct answer: A runway holding position marking, which requires ATC clearance to cross from the solid-line side.
This marking is a runway holding position marking. The two solid lines are on the side where the aircraft is meant to hold, and the two dashed lines are on the runway side. An aircraft or vehicle must stop and hold short of the solid lines until receiving explicit clearance from Air Traffic Control (ATC) to cross and enter the runway.
Question 2: When planning an operation in the vicinity of a non-towered airport, why is it essential for the remote pilot to identify the traffic pattern altitude and direction?
- To allow the sUAS to integrate with and fly the traffic pattern with manned aircraft.
- To determine the appropriate radio frequency for making position reports.
- To maintain situational awareness and predict where manned aircraft are most likely to be operating. (Correct answer)
- Because Part 107 requires sUAS to fly at least 1,000 feet above the published traffic pattern altitude.
Correct answer: To maintain situational awareness and predict where manned aircraft are most likely to be operating.
While sUAS must not interfere with manned aircraft and generally should not be in the traffic pattern, knowing the pattern altitude and direction is crucial for situational awareness. It allows the remote pilot to anticipate the locations and altitudes of manned aircraft on the downwind, base, and final legs of the approach, thereby ensuring they can stay well clear.
Question 3: A remote pilot is conducting a pre-flight site assessment for a project over a busy construction site. Which of the following presents the most significant site-specific, non-aviation hazard that must be mitigated?
- The presence of a tall crane operating intermittently on the site. (Correct answer)
- Potential radio frequency interference from nearby cell towers.
- The lack of a designated, paved sUAS landing zone.
- The possibility of high winds developing in the afternoon.
Correct answer: The presence of a tall crane operating intermittently on the site.
While all are valid concerns, a tall, moving crane presents a unique and significant collision hazard within the immediate operational area. Its height and unpredictable movements require specific mitigation strategies, such as establishing direct communication with the crane operator, setting clear operational boundaries, and using a visual observer focused on the crane's position.
Question 4: According to 14 CFR Part 107, which of the following operations from a moving vehicle is permitted without requiring a waiver?
- Operating from a car in a moderately congested suburban area to film a house.
- Transporting a package for compensation from a moving boat.
- Filming a boat from a second boat while over a large, open lake. (Correct answer)
- Operating from a truck driving on an active interstate highway.
Correct answer: Filming a boat from a second boat while over a large, open lake.
14 CFR Part 107.25 allows for the operation of an sUAS from a moving land or water-borne vehicle, provided the operation is conducted over a 'sparsely populated' area. A large, open lake fits this description. Operations over congested or populated areas are not permitted without a waiver, nor is the transportation of property for compensation from a moving vehicle.
Question 5: During a flight near an airport at night, a remote pilot observes a rotating beacon that flashes two quick white lights followed by a single green light. This beacon identifies a:
- Lighted civilian land airport.
- Lighted heliport.
- Lighted military airport. (Correct answer)
- Hazard or obstruction beacon.
Correct answer: Lighted military airport.
Airport rotating beacons have specific color combinations to identify the type of facility. A beacon with two quick white flashes followed by a green flash indicates a lighted military airport. A civilian land airport uses a single white and single green flash.
Question 6: You are the RPIC for a mission to inspect a bridge spanning a river. A Visual Observer (VO) is part of your crew. Which of the following is the MOST important, mission-specific instruction to provide the VO during the pre-flight briefing?
- Remind them of the maximum allowable altitude of 400 feet AGL.
- Instruct them on how to monitor for boat traffic passing under the bridge. (Correct answer)
- Confirm they have a fully charged cell phone to call 911 in an emergency.
- Show them how to check the sUAS battery voltage on the controller's display.
Correct answer: Instruct them on how to monitor for boat traffic passing under the bridge.
The VO's primary duty is to assist the RPIC in maintaining situational awareness and seeing and avoiding hazards. For a bridge inspection over a river, the most significant, site-specific hazard to non-participants is boat traffic. The VO must be explicitly tasked with scanning for and reporting any approaching vessels to ensure the sUAS can be moved to a safe location and avoid creating a hazard.
RPC - Remote Pilot Certificate Airport and Off-Site Operations Questions and Answers 1
A remote pilot has authorization to conduct ground operations at a towered airport.
While taxiing the sUAS, they approach a set of four yellow lines painted across the taxiway: two solid and two dashed.
What does this marking indicate?