UAS Emergency Procedures 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A remote pilot loses visual line of sight (VLOS) with the UAS unexpectedly. What is the correct immediate response?
- Continue flight using FPV goggles only
- Activate RTH or have a visual observer reacquire the aircraft (Correct answer)
- Increase speed to return to VLOS range
- Notify ATC and continue the mission
Correct answer: Activate RTH or have a visual observer reacquire the aircraft
FAA Part 107 requires VLOS; activating RTH or using a visual observer to reacquire the aircraft restores compliance.
Question 2: During an emergency descent, which obstacle presents the greatest hidden hazard to a UAS pilot?
- Tall trees
- Power lines and utility cables (Correct answer)
- Buildings
- Other aircraft at altitude
Correct answer: Power lines and utility cables
Power lines and utility cables are thin and extremely difficult to see, especially during rapid descents or in poor lighting.
Question 3: What action should a remote pilot take if a manned aircraft enters the flight area at low altitude?
- Climb the UAS to avoid the manned aircraft
- Descend the UAS and land as quickly as safely possible (Correct answer)
- Hold position and wait for the manned aircraft to pass
- Activate RTH at maximum speed
Correct answer: Descend the UAS and land as quickly as safely possible
Manned aircraft always have right of way; descending and landing the UAS removes it from conflict airspace.
Question 4: A UAS enters an uncontrolled spin (toilet bowl effect) during flight. This is most commonly caused by:
- Compass interference or miscalibration (Correct answer)
- Low battery voltage
- GPS signal loss
- Excessive altitude
Correct answer: Compass interference or miscalibration
The toilet bowl effect is typically caused by compass interference or a poorly calibrated compass affecting GPS-assisted flight modes.
Question 5: When should a remote pilot NOT use the Return-to-Home function as an emergency response?
- When the UAS is over water
- When the home point is in a hazardous location or obstacles are between the UAS and home (Correct answer)
- When the battery is at 20%
- When the wind speed exceeds 15 mph
Correct answer: When the home point is in a hazardous location or obstacles are between the UAS and home
RTH is unsafe if the home point is hazardous or obstacles exist along the return path, as the aircraft may not avoid them.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of establishing a lost-link procedure before every UAS flight?
- To comply with airspace authorization requirements
- To ensure the aircraft behaves predictably if communication is interrupted (Correct answer)
- To extend the UAS operational range
- To satisfy insurance requirements
Correct answer: To ensure the aircraft behaves predictably if communication is interrupted
A pre-planned lost-link procedure ensures the UAS responds predictably — hover, RTH, or land — when the control link is severed.
Question 7: Which condition is most likely to cause a remote pilot to lose control link with the UAS?
- High ambient temperature
- Radio frequency interference from nearby electronics or other transmitters (Correct answer)
- Rapid altitude changes
- Operating at dawn or dusk
Correct answer: Radio frequency interference from nearby electronics or other transmitters
RF interference from nearby electronic equipment, Wi-Fi networks, or other transmitters is the most common cause of control link loss.
UAS Emergency Procedures 3
A remote pilot loses visual line of sight (VLOS) with the UAS unexpectedly.
What is the correct immediate response?