Mixed Deck — All UAG Topics Flashcards

Which of the following incidents involving a small unmanned aircraft would NOT require the remote pilot in command to file an accident report with the FAA?

Answer: An incident where the sUAS, valued at $1,500, is completely destroyed after hitting a tree with no other damage or injury.

According to 14 CFR § 107.9, the cost of damage to the small unmanned aircraft itself is not included when determining if the $500 property damage reporting threshold has been met. Since no other property was damaged and no one was seriously injured, this incident would not require a report.

What is the primary reason a remote pilot in command must calculate the weight and balance of their UAS before every flight?

Answer: To comply with the manufacturer's specified limits for safe operation.

Compliance with the manufacturer's specified weight and balance limits is critical for flight safety. Operating outside these limits can compromise the structural integrity of the aircraft and lead to instability or loss of control. The remote PIC is responsible for verifying the aircraft is correctly loaded before each flight.

A remote pilot is operating alone and encounters an unexpected software glitch that causes erratic control inputs. The pilot begins to think, "There's nothing I can do, the drone is going to crash." This mindset is an example of which hazardous attitude?

Answer: Anti-Authority

The hazardous attitude of resignation occurs when a pilot feels powerless and gives up, believing they cannot influence the outcome of a situation. The correct response is to continue actively seeking solutions and flying the aircraft until all options are exhausted.

Which FAA publication would a remote pilot check to learn about scheduled GPS signal outages or testing in a specific area?

Answer: NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions)

NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) are used to inform pilots, including remote pilots, of GPS anomalies, outages, and testing affecting navigation.

What is the term for the point at which the airflow over an unmanned aircraft's wing becomes turbulent and separates from the surface, causing a sudden loss of lift?

Answer: Critical angle of attack

The critical angle of attack is the specific point at which the airflow over an unmanned aircraft's wing can no longer remain smooth and attached to the surface. Beyond this angle, the airflow separates and becomes turbulent, leading to a sudden and significant loss of lift, a condition known as a stall. Understanding this is crucial for preventing dangerous flight conditions.

A remote pilot in command (PIC) is operating a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) for a commercial photography assignment. During the flight, the drone loses connection and crashes, causing $750 worth of damage to a parked car. According to 14 CFR Part 107, what is the remote PIC required to do?

Answer: Report the accident to the FAA within 10 days.

According to 14 CFR § 107.9, a remote pilot must report an accident to the FAA within 10 days if it results in serious injury, loss of consciousness, or property damage (other than to the sUAS) exceeding $500 in repair costs or fair market value. Since the damage to the car was $750, an FAA report is mandatory.

What is dead reckoning as applied to UAS navigation?

Answer: Estimating position using last known position, speed, heading, and elapsed time

Dead reckoning involves calculating a current position estimate based on a previously known position, applying known speed, heading, and time elapsed since that position.

What is compass deviation (as opposed to magnetic variation) in UAS navigation?

Answer: The error in a compass caused by magnetic fields from the aircraft's own electronics or structure

Compass deviation is the local error in a magnetic compass caused by electromagnetic interference from the aircraft's motors, wiring, and electronics, requiring a compass calibration correction.

What is the primary responsibility of the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) during UAS operations?

Answer: Ensuring the safety of the operation

The primary responsibility of the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) during UAS operations is ensuring the safety of the entire operation. This encompasses comprehensive pre-flight planning, assessing environmental conditions, verifying aircraft airworthiness, and making critical real-time decisions to mitigate risks. The RPIC is ultimately accountable for protecting people and property throughout the flight.

Which type of GPS interference involves intentionally broadcasting false GPS signals to mislead receivers?

Answer: GPS spoofing

GPS spoofing is the deliberate transmission of counterfeit GPS signals to deceive receivers into calculating false position, velocity, or time information.

A UAS 'Return-to-Home' (RTH) feature relies primarily on which navigation technology to find its launch point?

Answer: GPS coordinates recorded at launch

RTH functions by using GPS to record the launch coordinates and then navigating the UAS back to those stored GPS coordinates when triggered.

Before conducting a UAS flight mission, what pre-flight check should a remote pilot perform regarding GPS?

Answer: Confirm GPS signal acquisition with an adequate number of satellites and check for relevant GPS NOTAMs

Before flight, pilots should verify the aircraft has acquired sufficient satellites for accurate positioning and review NOTAMs for any GPS outages or anomalies in the operating area.

If the center of gravity (CG) of a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft is moved to the most aft limit, which performance characteristic is most likely to be experienced?

Answer: Less stability and a lower stall speed.

Moving the center of gravity (CG) aft decreases longitudinal stability, making the aircraft less stable but more maneuverable. An aft CG also results in a lower stall speed because less tail-down force is required to balance the aircraft, which means the wing can fly at a lower angle of attack for level flight.

What aerodynamic principle explains the lift generation due to the pressure difference above and below an unmanned aircraft's wing?

Answer: Bernoulli's principle

Bernoulli's principle states that an increase in the speed of a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in static pressure or a decrease in the fluid's potential energy. For an aircraft wing, the curved upper surface causes air to travel faster over it than the flatter lower surface, resulting in lower pressure above the wing and higher pressure below. This pressure difference generates the upward force known as lift.

A remote pilot is planning a flight for later in the day. Which weather product should be consulted to get an understanding of the forecast conditions expected at the specific destination airport around the planned flight time?

Answer: A TAF, because it provides a forecast of expected weather conditions for a 5-statute mile radius around an airport.

A Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF) is the correct source for future planning at a specific airport. While a METAR provides current conditions, a TAF forecasts weather for a 24 to 30-hour period within a 5-statute mile radius of an airport, making it ideal for planning flights later in the day.

Under FAA Part 107, which statement best describes the remote pilot's responsibility regarding GPS-based automation features?

Answer: The remote pilot-in-command remains fully responsible for the safety of flight regardless of automation used

Under Part 107, the remote pilot-in-command retains full responsibility and authority for the safety of the flight at all times, regardless of what automation or GPS features are engaged.

Why is it important to perform a risk assessment during UAS mission planning?

Answer: To identify potential hazards and implement mitigation measures

Performing a risk assessment during UAS mission planning is vital for identifying potential hazards and developing effective mitigation measures. This proactive step involves evaluating environmental factors, equipment reliability, and operational complexities to foresee potential issues. By addressing these risks beforehand, the safety and success of the mission are significantly enhanced.

A remote pilot plans to attach a new, heavier camera payload to their multirotor UAS. Which of the following is the most significant performance change the pilot should expect?

Answer: Decreased flight endurance and potentially sluggish control response.

Exceeding the maximum gross weight of a UAS reduces flight performance in almost every respect. The motors must work harder to generate sufficient lift, which significantly increases power consumption and decreases flight endurance. The added weight also increases inertia, which can make the aircraft feel less responsive or 'sluggish' to control inputs.

Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for all sUAS operations conducted under Part 107, regardless of the aircraft's weight?

Answer: The sUAS must be registered with the FAA.

Under Part 107, all unmanned aircraft must be registered with the FAA, regardless of their weight. The 0.55-pound registration threshold only applies to recreational flyers operating under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.

Which of the following automated weather systems is generally more sophisticated, providing information on the type and intensity of precipitation, and is a joint effort by the NWS, FAA, and DOD?

Answer: ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System)

The Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) is a more advanced system than the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS). ASOS is a joint program of the National Weather Service (NWS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Department of Defense (DOD). It provides more detailed information, including the type and intensity of precipitation, which AWOS systems may not always report.