UAS Safety Protocols 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which aeronautical chart feature most directly indicates airspace where a remote pilot must obtain ATC authorization before flying under Part 107?
- Class G airspace depicted in white
- Class B, C, D, or E surface area airspace boundaries (Correct answer)
- Military training route (MTR) centerlines
- Victor airway corridors
Correct answer: Class B, C, D, or E surface area airspace boundaries
Class B, C, D, and E (surface) airspace require ATC authorization (via LAANC or waiver) for Part 107 UAS operations.
Question 2: What does the acronym IMSAFE stand for in UAS pre-flight self-assessment?
- Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion (Correct answer)
- Inspection, Mission, Safety, Airspace, Fuel, Environment
- Identification, Map, Schedule, Altitude, Flight path, Equipment
- Insurance, Maintenance, Software, Airspace, Flight rules, Emergency
Correct answer: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion
IMSAFE is a personal checklist: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and Emotion — used to assess pilot fitness to fly.
Question 3: A remote pilot is flying over a crowd of spectators at an outdoor concert. Under standard Part 107 rules (without waiver), this operation is:
- Permitted if the drone stays below 100 feet AGL
- Permitted if all spectators give verbal consent
- Prohibited without a Part 107 waiver for operations over people (Correct answer)
- Permitted if the drone weighs less than 0.55 lbs
Correct answer: Prohibited without a Part 107 waiver for operations over people
Flying over moving vehicles or people not directly participating in the operation requires a Part 107 waiver under standard rules.
Question 4: During a battery swap in the field, a technician notices a LiPo battery that is swollen (puffed). What is the correct safety action?
- Use the battery immediately since swelling is normal after flights
- Puncture the battery to release pressure before disposal
- Do not use the battery; safely dispose of it per LiPo guidelines (Correct answer)
- Charge the battery to full capacity before discarding
Correct answer: Do not use the battery; safely dispose of it per LiPo guidelines
A swollen LiPo battery indicates internal gas buildup and is a fire hazard; it must be removed from service and disposed of safely.
Question 5: What is the primary safety concern when operating a UAS in cold weather below freezing temperatures?
- Increased GPS signal strength causing navigation errors
- Reduced battery performance leading to shorter flight times and possible in-flight failure (Correct answer)
- Propeller blades becoming more flexible and less efficient
- Radio interference from frozen moisture in the atmosphere
Correct answer: Reduced battery performance leading to shorter flight times and possible in-flight failure
Cold temperatures significantly reduce LiPo battery capacity and discharge rate, increasing the risk of unexpected power loss.
Question 6: A remote pilot is planning to fly near a stadium during a major sporting event. Which regulatory consideration applies?
- A TFR typically prohibits UAS operations within 3 NM of the stadium during the event (Correct answer)
- UAS are exempt from sporting event TFRs if they weigh under 55 lbs
- Operations are permitted as long as the drone stays below 400 feet AGL
- ATC authorization via LAANC is sufficient to operate in an event TFR
Correct answer: A TFR typically prohibits UAS operations within 3 NM of the stadium during the event
FAA establishes TFRs (14 CFR 91.145) around major sporting events, typically prohibiting all flight including UAS within 3 NM up to 3,000 feet AGL.
Question 7: What is the purpose of maintaining a sterile cockpit (sterile area) during critical phases of UAS flight operations?
- To ensure the drone's camera feed is unobstructed
- To minimize distractions and allow the pilot to focus entirely on flying during takeoff, landing, and emergencies (Correct answer)
- To prevent RF interference from mobile devices
- To comply with FAA noise abatement procedures
Correct answer: To minimize distractions and allow the pilot to focus entirely on flying during takeoff, landing, and emergencies
A sterile area protocol eliminates non-essential communications and distractions during high-workload phases to prevent pilot error.
UAS Safety Protocols 3
Which aeronautical chart feature most directly indicates airspace where a remote pilot must obtain ATC authorization before flying under Part 107?