FAA 107 Drone Operations & Safety Procedures — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary goal of pre-flight inspections?
- To speed up drone deployment.
- To test battery limits.
- To ensure the drone is safe for operation (Correct answer)
- To bypass airspace requirements.
Correct answer: To ensure the drone is safe for operation
The primary goal of pre-flight inspections is to thoroughly check the drone for any potential malfunctions, damage, or missing components before takeoff. This critical step ensures the aircraft is in safe operating condition, mitigating risks and preventing accidents during flight.
Question 2: Why should drone pilots maintain visual line of sight (VLOS)?
- To conserve battery life.
- To take better photos.
- To ensure situational awareness and safety (Correct answer)
- To test drone range.
Correct answer: To ensure situational awareness and safety
Maintaining visual line of sight (VLOS) is crucial for drone pilots to ensure continuous situational awareness. It allows the pilot to visually track the drone's position, observe its surroundings for potential hazards like obstacles or other aircraft, and react promptly to any unexpected situations, thereby enhancing overall safety.
Question 3: What should be checked regarding batteries before a flight?
- Battery color.
- Charging cable type.
- Storage temperature.
- Charge level and physical condition (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Charge level and physical condition
Before a flight, it is essential to check both the charge level and physical condition of all batteries. Ensuring adequate charge prevents unexpected power loss mid-flight, while inspecting for swelling, damage, or leaks helps prevent battery failure, overheating, or fire hazards, which are critical for safe operation.
Question 4: How should a drone pilot respond to a loss of GPS signal mid-flight?
- Ignore and continue.
- Fly higher to find signal.
- Land immediately in place.
- Switch to manual control and maintain VLOS (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Switch to manual control and maintain VLOS
Upon losing GPS signal mid-flight, the safest response is to immediately switch to manual control and maintain visual line of sight (VLOS). This allows the pilot to regain direct command of the drone's movements, navigate it away from potential hazards, and execute a controlled landing without relying on automated positioning systems.
Question 5: Why is altitude awareness important in drone safety?
- It ensures faster flights.
- It increases camera range.
- It helps avoid obstacles and other aircraft (Correct answer)
- It improves GPS accuracy.
Correct answer: It helps avoid obstacles and other aircraft
Altitude awareness is paramount in drone safety because it helps pilots adhere to airspace regulations and avoid collisions. Knowing the drone's height prevents it from striking obstacles like buildings or towers, and critically, keeps it clear of manned aircraft operating at various altitudes, ensuring safe integration into the airspace.
Question 6: What should be done after completing a drone flight?
- Remove the propellers immediately.
- Store data and inspect the drone (Correct answer)
- Place drone under sunlight.
- Switch on GPS again.
Correct answer: Store data and inspect the drone
After completing a drone flight, it is best practice to store any captured data and conduct a thorough inspection of the drone. Storing data secures valuable information from the mission, while inspecting the drone helps identify any wear, damage, or issues that may have occurred during the flight, ensuring it's ready for future safe operations.
Question 7: How often should firmware updates be checked?
- Once a year.
- Never unless prompted.
- Only after crashes.
- Before major operations or monthly (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Before major operations or monthly
Firmware updates should be checked regularly, ideally before major operations or monthly, because they often contain critical bug fixes, performance enhancements, and new safety features. Keeping the drone's software up-to-date ensures optimal functionality, reliability, and compliance with the latest operational standards.
Question 8: Why is airspace awareness critical for safety?
- To save battery power.
- To fly higher for photos.
- To comply with airspace rules and avoid risks (Correct answer)
- To increase video frame rate.
Correct answer: To comply with airspace rules and avoid risks
Airspace awareness is critical for safety as it enables drone pilots to comply with federal aviation regulations and avoid hazardous situations. Understanding airspace classifications, temporary flight restrictions, and proximity to airports prevents unauthorized incursions and minimizes the risk of collisions with manned aircraft.
Question 9: What is the best practice when flying near people?
- Fly directly above them.
- Only fly during night.
- Ensure they are briefed and protected (Correct answer)
- Alert them by horn.
Correct answer: Ensure they are briefed and protected
When flying near people, the best practice is to ensure they are fully briefed on the operation and are in a protected area or at a safe distance. This minimizes potential risks, ensures their safety in case of an unexpected drone malfunction, and demonstrates responsible piloting.
FAA 107 Drone Operations & Safety Procedures
What is the primary goal of pre-flight inspections?