RPC Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield RPC facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Under Part 107, which of the following operations requires a waiver even after the 2021 rule amendments? → Operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS)
2. During an aerial photography job, the drone begins behaving erratically due to a suspected compass calibration issue. The BEST aeronautical decision is to: → Return to home immediately and land to inspect the aircraft
3. When calculating payload capacity, a remote pilot must ensure the total weight including payload does NOT exceed the: → Manufacturer's maximum gross takeoff weight
4. How far must a small UAS remain from clouds when operating under Part 107? → 500 ft below and 2,000 ft horizontally
5. The concept of 'single-pilot resource management' (SRM) is relevant to sUAS operations because: → Most Part 107 operations are conducted by a single remote PIC without a VO
6. Which career development theory emphasizes the role of personality types in career selection? → Holland’s Career Typology Theory
7. Which term describes the mental state where a pilot perceives, processes, and acts correctly but then fails to monitor whether the outcome matched expectations? → Feedback loop failure
8. Stress degrades pilot performance primarily by: → Narrowing attention and reducing the ability to process multiple information sources
9. Class G airspace typically extends from the surface up to what altitude in non-mountainous areas? → 1,200 ft AGL
10. Which of the following best describes 'situational awareness' in the context of remote UAS operations? → Accurate perception of all factors affecting the drone and operating environment
11. When calculating weight and balance for an sUAS, 'useful load' is defined as: → The difference between maximum gross weight and basic empty weight
12. When reading a winds aloft forecast (FB winds), the entry '9900' means: → Light and variable winds
13. Which aviation weather product provides forecasts for specific airport terminal areas and is valid for 24 to 30 hours? → TAF
14. A remote pilot is filming a pipeline in a remote area and loses orientation of the sUAS due to sun glare. What is the safest immediate action? → Activate the return-to-home function if available, or hover in place and reorient
15. What does the term 'UNICOM' refer to in aviation radio communications? → A non-government air-ground communication station at uncontrolled airports
16. In a METAR, the contraction 'VC' before a weather phenomenon (e.g., VCSH) indicates: → In the vicinity — between 5 and 10 statute miles of the airport
17. According to the standard atmosphere, the approximate standard sea-level temperature is: → 59°F (15°C)
18. What vertical limit defines the floor of Class A airspace in the contiguous United States? → 18,000 feet MSL
19. A remote pilot experiences a battery warning at 15% capacity while the drone is 0.5 miles away. What is the safest course of action? → Begin an immediate return flight to the launch point
20. Which radio frequency is designated as the international aeronautical emergency frequency? → 121.5 MHz
21. On a surface analysis chart, isobars spaced closely together indicate: → Strong pressure gradient and stronger winds
22. Which micrometeorological effect should drone pilots be cautious of in urban areas? → Turbulence from buildings
23. A temperature inversion aloft often creates which flying condition that directly affects drone safety? → A stable layer that traps pollution and reduces visibility
24. Which hazardous attitude is characterized by a drone pilot who says 'Nothing bad will ever happen to me — I've flown here dozens of times without incident'? → Invulnerability
25. A sUAS that is consistently tail-heavy will exhibit which flight characteristic? → A tendency to pitch nose-up, reducing airspeed and potentially stalling
26. A remote pilot is flying a photographic mission when an manned helicopter approaches at low altitude on a collision course. The remote pilot should: → Immediately descend and move away from the manned aircraft's path
27. A remote PIC must report an accident to the FAA within how many days if there is serious injury or property damage exceeding $500? → 10 calendar days
28. When reading a sectional chart, the notation "SFC–4,000 MSL" inside an airspace boundary means the airspace: → Extends from the surface up to 4,000 feet MSL
29. Which aeronautical decision-making (ADM) model specifically involves identifying hazardous attitudes and neutralizing them? → Antidote method
30. Which of the following sUAS accident scenarios triggers a mandatory FAA report under Part 107.9? → Serious injury to any person