UAS Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. What is the main risk of operating a sUAS in an area with significant electromagnetic interference (EMI)? → Loss of GPS accuracy and potential control link degradation
2. A UAS operator wants to fly commercially under Part 107 but has a prior FAA violation on record. What is the likely outcome of their certification application? → The FAA reviews the violation history and may deny, condition, or grant the certificate
3. In fixed-wing UAS, what control surface primarily controls roll? → Aileron
4. Under FAA regulations, if your UAS causes a serious injury or property damage exceeding $500, you must report the incident within how many calendar days? → 10 days
5. What is the primary purpose of professional certification in Airspace Regulations? → To validate competency and knowledge in the field
6. On a sectional chart, what symbol indicates an obstruction between 1,000 and 1,999 feet AGL? → A bold obstruction symbol with elevation figures
7. What does a wind speed reported in a METAR as '15G25KT' mean? → 15-knot sustained winds gusting to 25 knots
8. What is the process of elimination in multiple-choice testing? → Ruling out obviously incorrect answers to improve odds
9. What is preventive maintenance? → Regular scheduled maintenance to prevent equipment failure
10. What is the correct method to clean UAS camera lenses in the field? → Blow with compressed air then wipe with a microfiber lens cloth
11. Which antenna type is best suited for UAS ground station use when the aircraft may fly in any direction from the operator? → Omnidirectional antenna
12. A remote PIC plans to fly a sUAS within 400 feet laterally of a 500-foot broadcast tower. The maximum permitted altitude is: → 900 feet AGL (400 feet above the top of the structure)
13. What is the primary benefit of drones in infrastructure inspections? → They allow safe and efficient access to hard-to-reach areas.
14. Why is vibration isolation important between the flight controller and the airframe? → It protects IMU sensors from mechanical vibration that causes flight instability
15. Under 14 CFR Part 107, operating a sUAS in Class C airspace without authorization is: → A violation requiring FAA enforcement action
16. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is issued over a wildfire. A Part 107 pilot wants to fly a news-gathering mission in the TFR area. What is required? → Obtain a specific waiver or authorization from the FAA before entering the TFR
17. A drone pilot needs to fly in Class D airspace. What is the correct procedure? → Obtain authorization via LAANC or DroneZone before flight
18. A remote PIC is planning to fly a sUAS near a wildfire. Which agency must grant authorization? → Local fire incident commander
19. What is the primary hazard of flying a sUAS in the presence of thunderstorms? → Severe turbulence, lightning strikes, and rapid wind shear
20. Which threshold triggers mandatory FAA accident reporting under Part 107? → Property damage exceeding $500 and not involving the sUAS itself
21. Under what surface temperature and clear sky conditions is radiation fog most likely to form by early morning? → Cold clear calm nights allowing maximum radiational cooling of the surface
22. How should you manage time during a timed test? → Divide total time by questions and pace yourself, spending less on easy ones
23. What is the primary purpose of a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM)? → To inform pilots of temporary changes or hazards affecting navigable airspace
24. Which maintenance action should follow any hard landing or crash? → Conduct a full structural inspection before the next flight
25. Which U.S. regulatory body is responsible for allocating radio frequency spectrum used by UAS communication systems? → FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
26. What role does ethics play in Flight Operations practice? → It guides professional conduct and protects stakeholders
27. Which UAS application is specifically designed to assist insurance companies by rapidly assessing roof damage following a hailstorm? → Roof damage inspection and claims adjustment
28. Which of the following payloads is most commonly used in agricultural applications? → Multispectral sensors.
29. What is the lateral radius of a standard stadium TFR when a major league sporting event is in progress? → 3 nautical miles
30. What is 'dead reckoning' as it applies to UAS emergency navigation? → Estimating current position based on last known position, heading, speed, and elapsed time