A2 CofC - Drone Certificate of Competency UAS General Knowledge Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A remote pilot checks the METAR for a nearby airfield which reads `METAR EGLL 200720Z 27015G25KT 9999 SCT025 10/07 Q1012`. What is the primary weather-related hazard they should consider for their UAS operation?
- A low cloud base at 2,500 feet.
- Significant wind gusts up to 25 knots. (Correct answer)
- High atmospheric pressure of 1012 hPa.
- Poor visibility that is less than 10km.
Correct answer: Significant wind gusts up to 25 knots.
The METAR code `27015G25KT` indicates the wind is from 270 degrees at a steady 15 knots, but with gusts (G) up to 25 knots. These strong and unpredictable gusts pose a significant stability and control challenge for most UAS, making it the primary hazard.
Question 2: When a multirotor UAS hovers within approximately one rotor diameter of the ground, it often requires less power to maintain its altitude. What is this aerodynamic phenomenon called?
- Venturi Effect
- Translational Lift
- In-Ground Effect (IGE) (Correct answer)
- Bernoulli's Principle
Correct answer: In-Ground Effect (IGE)
In-Ground Effect (IGE) occurs when a rotorcraft operates close to a surface. The downwash from the rotors is restricted by the ground, creating a cushion of higher-pressure air that increases lift efficiency and reduces the power required to hover.
Question 3: The 'IMSAFE' checklist is a self-assessment tool recommended by the CAA for pilots to determine their fitness to fly. What does the 'F' in this acronym represent?
- Fatigue (Correct answer)
- Food
- Frequency
- Flight Plan
Correct answer: Fatigue
The IMSAFE checklist stands for: Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, and Emotion/Eating. The 'F' represents Fatigue, prompting pilots to assess if they are sufficiently rested to operate their UAS safely and maintain concentration.
Question 4: A remote pilot with an A2 CofC is operating a 1.5kg C2-marked drone. They are flying in a park and have NOT activated the required low-speed mode. According to UK CAA regulations, what is the absolute minimum horizontal distance they must maintain from any uninvolved people?
- 5 metres
- 50 metres
- No minimum distance is required
- 30 metres (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 30 metres
Under the A2 subcategory rules, a C2-marked drone can be flown as close as 5 metres horizontally to uninvolved people, but only if the drone's designated low-speed mode is active. If this mode is not active, the standard A2 rule applies, which requires a minimum horizontal distance of 30 metres from uninvolved people.
Question 5: In the context of operational safety planning for a UAS flight, which of the following best defines the 'Contingency Volume'?
- The physical space required on the ground for the pilot and take-off/landing area.
- The airspace volume where the UAS is planned to operate under normal conditions.
- The airspace reserved exclusively for emergency services during an incident.
- A defined volume of airspace surrounding the planned flight area where contingency procedures are initiated. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A defined volume of airspace surrounding the planned flight area where contingency procedures are initiated.
In UAS operational planning, the 'Flight Geography' is the intended area of operation. The 'Contingency Volume' is an additional buffer of airspace around the flight geography. If the UAS strays into this volume, it triggers pre-planned contingency procedures to ensure it does not fly beyond it into an area where it could cause a hazard.
Question 6: The 'Return to Home' (RTH) function on a standard consumer UAS relies primarily on which technology to record its take-off location and navigate back?
- Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU)
- Radio Signal Triangulation
- Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (Correct answer)
- Barometric Pressure Sensor
Correct answer: Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
The Return to Home (RTH) function works by recording the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), most commonly GPS, coordinates at the point of take-off. When RTH is activated, the UAS uses its onboard GNSS receiver to navigate back to these stored coordinates. The IMU and barometer assist with stability and altitude, but the primary positioning data comes from GNSS.
A2 CofC - Drone Certificate of Competency UAS General Knowledge Questions and Answers
A remote pilot checks the METAR for a nearby airfield which reads `METAR EGLL 200720Z 27015G25KT 9999 SCT025 10/07 Q1012`.
What is the primary weather-related hazard they should consider for their UAS operation?