1. Which of the following is the FAA's primary source of aviation weather information for remote pilots?
The FAA's own training materials and the Airman Certification Standards identify the Aviation Weather Center (AWC) at aviationweather.gov as the primary source of aviation weather information for remote pilots. This portal provides METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, and other aviation-relevant weather products in a format tailored to aviation users. While NOAA does produce weather data, the FAA directs remote pilots to its own AWC portal. NOTAMs may reference weather-related restrictions but are not a weather information source.
Regulations
2. A person may operate a small UAS without a Remote ID broadcast module if the UAS is operated where?
Part 107 provides that a person may operate a small UAS without a Remote ID broadcast module if the UAS is operated in a FRIA. Operating below 100 feet AGL or within VLOS does not exempt a UAS from the Remote ID requirement—these are operational rules under Part 107 but do not substitute for the Remote ID mandate in 14 CFR part 89.
Loading and performance
3. When is it permissible to operate an sUAS from a moving vehicle or aircraft?
Part 107 permits operation of an sUAS from a moving vehicle or aircraft provided the sUAS is not carrying any person other than the remote pilot or remote visual observer on board. The regulation does not restrict this operation to daylight hours (that is covered byPart 107's separate conditions orPart 107's own terms), nor does it require ATC authorization. The key restriction inPart 107 is the prohibition on carrying persons aboard the sUAS when operating from a moving vehicle or aircraft.
Regulations
4. Which of the following is required before a small UAS may be operated under Part 107?
Part 107 requires that a person may not operate a small UAS under Part 107 unless it is registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 48. There is no state-level registration requirement under Part 107, and the 55-pound threshold is the upper weight limit for a 'small UAS' under Part 107, not a registration threshold—registration is required for all small UAS operated under Part 107 regardless of weight.
Loading and performance
5. When an sUAS is flying into a headwind, what is the effect on its groundspeed compared to flying in calm air at the same airspeed?
A headwind reduces groundspeed because the aircraft's velocity relative to the ground is the vector sum of its airspeed and the wind. When flying into a headwind, the wind opposes the forward motion, so groundspeed equals airspeed minus wind speed. Groundspeed cannot remain unchanged because the wind vector directly subtracts from the forward component of velocity relative to the ground. The claim that groundspeed increases contradicts basic vector addition of wind and airspeed.
Airspace
6. Class D airspace typically extends from the surface to what altitude?
Class D airspace is defined as extending from the surface to 2,500 feet AGL. A remote pilot operating in this airspace must obtain ATC authorization under the ACS. Ten thousand feet MSL is the upper limit of Class B airspace, and 5,000 feet AGL is not a standard upper limit for any common airspace class. Knowing the vertical extent of Class D helps the remote pilot determine whether their planned altitude falls within controlled airspace requiring authorization.
Regulations
7. At what minimum rate must a Remote ID broadcast be transmitted?
Part 107 requires that the Remote ID broadcast be transmitted at a rate of at least once per second. The 5-second and 30-second intervals do not meet the regulatory minimum and would not provide adequate situational awareness to other airspace users or authorities.
Operations
8. When a visual observer is used during a Part 107 operation, which of the following is required?
Part 107 explicitly states that a visual observer must be able to communicate directly with the remote pilot. The regulation does not require the visual observer to hold a remote pilot certificate (eliminating option A), nor does it require the visual observer to be located at the remote pilot station (eliminating option C). The visual observer can be positioned anywhere that allows them to see the unmanned aircraft and maintain direct communication with the remote pilot.
Loading and performance
9. What determines the maximum takeoff weight of a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS)?
The maximum takeoff weight of an sUAS is established by the manufacturer and documented in the operating manual or specifications. Part 107 does not prescribe a universal maximum takeoff weight; it applies to sUAS of 55 lb or less, but the specific maximum for each aircraft is set by the manufacturer. The remote pilot must not exceed the manufacturer's stated maximum, but does not independently determine it. Weather conditions affect performance but do not change the maximum takeoff weight limit.
Weather
10. Which of the following weather conditions has the greatest potential to reduce both the effective range and endurance of a small UA?
Sustained headwinds directly reduce ground speed (decreasing range) and increase the power required to maintain airspeed (decreasing endurance and battery life). This is a fundamental aerodynamic effect. Light rain at 5 SM visibility adds negligible drag or weight to a small UA. Moderate overcast cloud cover, in the absence of precipitation or associated wind, has no direct effect on small UA performance. The remote pilot in command must account for these effects when planning the operation per the ACS.