RPC Aeronautical Decision-Making 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A remote pilot receives a new flight request but realizes they have consumed alcohol within the past 6 hours. Under 14 CFR Part 107, the correct action is to:
- Fly if the amount consumed was less than two standard drinks
- Decline the flight, as 8 hours must pass after consuming any alcohol (Correct answer)
- Fly only if a visual observer is present
- Fly at reduced altitude to minimize risk
Correct answer: Decline the flight, as 8 hours must pass after consuming any alcohol
14 CFR 91.17 (adopted by Part 107) prohibits acting as PIC within 8 hours of consuming alcohol or while under the influence.
Question 2: Which element of single-pilot resource management (SRM) involves using all available information — weather data, charts, NOTAMs — before and during a flight?
- Automation management
- Aeronautical decision-making
- Task management
- Information management (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Information management
Information management focuses on gathering, evaluating, and applying all relevant data to support safe decision-making throughout the flight.
Question 3: A remote pilot observes that the drone's battery indicator is at 30% but the planned return-to-home flight will only use approximately 20%. What ADM principle supports flying the remaining time?
- Risk acceptance after proper evaluation (Correct answer)
- Impulsivity — acting quickly to use the remaining battery
- Invulnerability — knowing the drone will safely return
- Anti-authority — ignoring manufacturer warnings
Correct answer: Risk acceptance after proper evaluation
When a pilot has evaluated the risk and determined acceptable margins remain, proceeding reflects proper risk management, not a hazardous attitude.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes 'situational awareness' in the context of remote UAS operations?
- Knowing the exact battery voltage at all times
- Accurate perception of all factors affecting the drone and operating environment (Correct answer)
- Ability to fly the drone without looking at the controller
- Memorizing all applicable FAA regulations
Correct answer: Accurate perception of all factors affecting the drone and operating environment
Situational awareness is an accurate, real-time mental picture of all factors — drone status, airspace, weather, and bystanders — that affect the flight.
Question 5: A sUAS pilot witnesses another operator flying dangerously near a crowd. The best initial ADM response is to:
- Land immediately and report the incident to the FAA (Correct answer)
- Continue your own flight and ignore the other operator
- Warn bystanders but take no other action
- Intervene by flying your drone between the crowd and the other drone
Correct answer: Land immediately and report the incident to the FAA
Landing and reporting prioritizes safety without creating additional airspace conflict; interfering with another drone could cause a collision.
Question 6: What is the primary goal of Crew Resource Management (CRM) / Single-pilot Resource Management (SRM) training?
- To teach pilots how to maintain drones without technician support
- To reduce errors by improving use of all available resources and teamwork (Correct answer)
- To certify that a pilot can operate all drone models
- To replace the DECIDE model with a faster decision process
Correct answer: To reduce errors by improving use of all available resources and teamwork
CRM/SRM training reduces human error by training pilots to effectively use resources including people, equipment, and information.
Question 7: Which statement about risk assessment in UAS operations is most accurate?
- Risk assessment is only required for flights over populated areas
- Risk can be fully eliminated through proper planning
- Risk management involves identifying hazards and applying mitigations to reach acceptable risk levels (Correct answer)
- Risk assessment is the responsibility of the air traffic controller, not the remote PIC
Correct answer: Risk management involves identifying hazards and applying mitigations to reach acceptable risk levels
Effective risk management identifies hazards, evaluates their severity and probability, and applies mitigations until risk is at an acceptable level.
RPC Aeronautical Decision-Making 3
A remote pilot receives a new flight request but realizes they have consumed alcohol within the past 6 hours.
Under 14 CFR Part 107, the correct action is to: