UAS Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a flight, your UAS loses GPS signal and begins drifting. What is the FIRST corrective action you should take?
- Switch to manual/attitude mode and regain control (Correct answer)
- Immediately activate Return-to-Home
- Cut throttle and let it descend
- Increase altitude to reacquire GPS
Correct answer: Switch to manual/attitude mode and regain control
When GPS is lost, switching to manual or attitude mode lets the pilot take direct control and stabilize the aircraft.
Question 2: A UAS experiences a flyaway during flight. Which action is least appropriate?
- Attempt to reestablish radio link
- Activate the failsafe if available
- Chase after the UAS on foot while transmitting (Correct answer)
- Note the last known heading and altitude for recovery
Correct answer: Chase after the UAS on foot while transmitting
Chasing the UAS on foot is dangerous and ineffective; focus on radio link recovery and activating failsafes instead.
Question 3: 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?
- 5 days
- 10 days (Correct answer)
- 30 days
- 60 days
Correct answer: 10 days
FAA Part 107 requires pilots to report accidents involving serious injury or damage over $500 within 10 calendar days.
Question 4: Your UAS battery reaches critically low levels mid-flight over a populated area. What is the safest course of action?
- Continue to the planned landing zone at full speed
- Land immediately in the nearest safe, unpopulated area (Correct answer)
- Climb to maximum altitude to glide farther
- Disable motors to conserve power and restart later
Correct answer: Land immediately in the nearest safe, unpopulated area
Landing immediately in the nearest safe, unpopulated area minimizes the risk of an uncontrolled crash in a populated zone.
Question 5: What does a UAS 'failsafe' Return-to-Home (RTH) function do when triggered?
- Lands the UAS immediately at its current location
- Returns the UAS to the recorded home point and lands (Correct answer)
- Hovers in place until the pilot regains control
- Cuts motor power and deploys a parachute
Correct answer: Returns the UAS to the recorded home point and lands
RTH automatically navigates the UAS back to its recorded home point and performs an automated landing.
Question 6: Which pre-flight action is most critical for preventing in-flight emergencies related to battery failure?
- Checking battery cell voltage and charge level (Correct answer)
- Calibrating the compass
- Updating firmware
- Inspecting propeller blade color
Correct answer: Checking battery cell voltage and charge level
Verifying battery cell voltage and full charge before flight prevents mid-flight power failures.
Question 7: You observe your UAS vibrating abnormally during hover. The most likely cause and immediate action is:
- Low battery — land and recharge
- Damaged or unbalanced propeller — land immediately and inspect (Correct answer)
- High wind — increase altitude
- Motor overheating — reduce payload weight
Correct answer: Damaged or unbalanced propeller — land immediately and inspect
Abnormal vibration during hover typically indicates a damaged or unbalanced propeller, requiring immediate landing and inspection.
UAS Emergency Procedures 2
During a flight, your UAS loses GPS signal and begins drifting.
What is the FIRST corrective action you should take?