Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide iv
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 29
Weight ............................................................................................................................................... 29
Stability .............................................................................................................................................. 30
Load Factors....................................................................................................................................... 30
Weight and Balance ........................................................................................................................... 32
Chapter 5: Emergency Procedures ........................................................................................ 35
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 35
Inflight Emergency ............................................................................................................................. 35
Chapter 6: Crew Resource Management .............................................................................. 37
Chapter 7: Radio Communication Procedures ...................................................................... 39
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 39
Understanding Proper Radio Procedures .......................................................................................... 39
Traffic Advisory Practices at Airports without Operating Control Towers ....................................... 39
Chapter 8: Determining the Performance of Small Unmanned Aircraft ................................. 43
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 43
Effect of Temperature on Density ..................................................................................................... 43
Effect of Humidity (Moisture) on Density ......................................................................................... 43
Chapter 9: Physiological Factors (Including Drugs and Alcohol) Affecting Pilot
Performance ...................................................................................................... 45
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 45
Physiological/Medical Factors that Affect Pilot Performance .......................................................... 45
Vision and Flight ................................................................................................................................ 50
Chapter 10: Aeronautical Decision-Making and Judgment .................................................... 51
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 51
History of ADM .................................................................................................................................. 51
Risk Management .............................................................................................................................. 52
Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Single-Pilot Resource Management ................................ 53
Hazard and Risk ................................................................................................................................. 53
Human Factors................................................................................................................................... 56
The Decision-Making Process ............................................................................................................ 57
Decision-Making in a Dynamic Environment .................................................................................... 59
Situational Awareness ....................................................................................................................... 63
Chapter 11: Airport Operations ............................................................................................ 65
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 65
Types of Airports ............................................................................................................................... 65
Sources for Airport Data .................................................................................................................... 65
Latitude and Longitude (Meridians and Parallels) ............................................................................ 68
Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide v
Antenna Towers ................................................................................................................................ 69
Chapter 12: Maintenance and Preflight Inspection Procedures ............................................ 71
Appendix 1: Study References .............................................................................................. 74
Appendix 2: Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft ............. 76
Appendix 3: Abbreviations and Acronyms ............................................................................ 78
Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide vi
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Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide 1
Introduction
The information in this study guide was arranged according to the knowledge areas that are covered
on the airman knowledge test for a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Rating as required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 107, section 107.73(a).
The knowledge areas are as follows:
1. Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges,
limitations, and flight operation;
2. Airspace classification, operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small
unmanned aircraft operation;
3. Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance;
4. Small unmanned aircraft loading;
5. Emergency procedures;
6. Crew resource management;
7. Radio communication procedures;
8. Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft;
9. Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol;
10. Aeronautical decision-making and judgment;
11. Airport operations; and
12. Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures.
Obtaining Assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Information can be obtained from the FAA by phone, Internet/e-mail, or mail. To talk to the FAA toll-
free 24 hours a day, call 1-866-TELL-FAA (1-866-835-5322). To visit the FAA’s website, go to
www.faa.gov. Individuals can also e-mail an FAA representative at a local FSDO office by accessing the
staff e-mail address available via the “Contact FAA” link at the bottom of the FAA home page. Letters
can be sent to:
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20591
FAA Reference Material
The FAA provides a variety of important reference material for the student, as well as the advanced
civil aviation pilot. In addition to the regulations provided online by the FAA, several other publications
are available to the user. Almost all reference material is available online at www.faa.gov in
downloadable format. Commercial aviation publishers also provide published and online reference
material to further aid the aviation pilot.
• Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
• Handbooks
• Advisory Circulars (ACs)
• Airman Certification Standards
• 14 CFR part 107
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Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide 3
Chapter 1:
Applicable Regulations
Be familiar with 14 CFR part 107 and all parts referenced in part 107, as well as AC 107-2.
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Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide 5
Chapter 2:
Airspace Classification, Operating Requirements, and Flight Restrictions
Introduction
The two categories of airspace are: regulatory and nonregulatory. Within these two categories, there
are four types: controlled, uncontrolled, special use, and other airspace. The categories and types of
airspace are dictated by the complexity or density of aircraft movements, nature of the operations
conducted within the airspace, the level of safety required, and national and public interest. Figure 2-1
presents a profile view of the dimensions of various classes of airspace.
Figure 2-1. Airspace profile.
Controlled Airspace
Controlled airspace is a generic term that covers the different classifications of airspace and defined
dimensions within which air traffic control (ATC) service is provided in accordance with the airspace
classification. Controlled airspace that is of concern to the remote pilot is:
• Class B
• Class C
• Class D
• Class E
Class B Airspace
Class B airspace is generally airspace from the surface to 10,000 feet mean sea level (MSL)
surrounding the nation’s busiest airports in terms of airport operations or passenger enplanements.
The configuration of each Class B airspace area is individually tailored, consists of a surface area and
two or more layers (some Class B airspace areas resemble upside-down wedding cakes), and is
designed to contain all published instrument procedures once an aircraft enters the airspace. A
remote pilot must receive authorization from ATC before operating in the Class B airspace.