RPC Airport and Off-Site Operations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A remote pilot is operating a sUAS at an off-site location (away from any airport) and observes a low-flying crop duster approaching. What is the correct action?
- Climb the sUAS above 400 feet to avoid the crop duster
- Land the sUAS immediately or descend to the lowest safe altitude and move clear (Correct answer)
- Hold position and alert the crop duster via radio
- Continue the mission since the pilot is below 400 feet and within regulations
Correct answer: Land the sUAS immediately or descend to the lowest safe altitude and move clear
Agricultural aircraft often operate at very low altitudes; the remote pilot must always yield right-of-way and descend or land to avoid conflict.
Question 2: Under Part 107, what is the maximum altitude a remote pilot may fly a sUAS over a congested area without a waiver, assuming no airport airspace restrictions?
- 200 feet AGL
- 400 feet AGL (Correct answer)
- 500 feet AGL
- 1,000 feet AGL
Correct answer: 400 feet AGL
The standard Part 107 altitude limit is 400 feet AGL, regardless of whether the area is congested or rural, unless a waiver is obtained.
Question 3: A remote pilot is flying near a stadium during a sporting event. Which regulation is most relevant?
- Operations are permitted if the drone stays below 100 feet AGL
- Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) typically prohibit sUAS operations over large sporting events (Correct answer)
- A LAANC authorization is sufficient for sports venue operations
- Only Class B airports restrict flight over sporting events
Correct answer: Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) typically prohibit sUAS operations over large sporting events
FAR 91.145 establishes TFRs over large sporting events attended by 30,000 or more people, prohibiting all aircraft including sUAS within the restricted area.
Question 4: What is the minimum distance a sUAS must maintain from a cloud when operating in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL during the day?
- 500 feet below, 1,000 feet horizontal
- Clear of clouds with no specific distance requirement (Correct answer)
- 500 feet below, 2,000 feet horizontal
- 1,000 feet below, 1 mile horizontal
Correct answer: Clear of clouds with no specific distance requirement
In Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL during the day, sUAS must remain clear of clouds with no specified minimum distance under Part 107.
Question 5: A remote pilot plans to fly in a rural area well away from airports but notices power lines crossing the planned flight path. What is the best practice?
- Fly at least 500 feet AGL to clear all power line hazards
- Plan the flight path to avoid the power lines and brief the visual observer on their location (Correct answer)
- Power lines are only a concern within 5 miles of an airport
- Stop the motors and glide over power lines to reduce electromagnetic interference
Correct answer: Plan the flight path to avoid the power lines and brief the visual observer on their location
Power lines are a significant collision hazard at off-site locations; pilots should pre-plan routes to avoid them and ensure the visual observer is aware of their location.
Question 6: When conducting a sUAS operation from a moving vehicle in a sparsely populated area, which Part 107 rule applies?
- Operations from moving vehicles are always prohibited under Part 107
- Operations from moving vehicles are permitted in sparsely populated areas (Correct answer)
- A waiver is required for any operation from a moving vehicle regardless of population
- Only the visual observer may be in the moving vehicle
Correct answer: Operations from moving vehicles are permitted in sparsely populated areas
Part 107.25 permits operating a sUAS from a moving vehicle in sparsely populated areas without a waiver.
Question 7: A remote pilot is filming a pipeline in a remote area and loses orientation of the sUAS due to sun glare. What is the safest immediate action?
- Activate the return-to-home function if available, or hover in place and reorient (Correct answer)
- Climb to 400 feet AGL to gain more visibility of the aircraft
- Transfer control to the visual observer immediately
- Shut off the video feed to reduce cockpit workload
Correct answer: Activate the return-to-home function if available, or hover in place and reorient
Activating return-to-home or hovering allows the pilot to regain spatial orientation before resuming flight, reducing the risk of a flyaway or collision.
RPC Airport and Off-Site Operations 3
A remote pilot is operating a sUAS at an off-site location (away from any airport) and observes a low-flying crop duster approaching.
What is the correct action?