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Traffic Patterns

Landing pattern typically 1000 AGL, but check CS
Enter 45 deg at the midpoint of the downwind left at traffic pattern altitude
Typical pattern is left handed
Entries in to traffic patterns by UAS while descending create collision hazards and should be avoided

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Airplane examples left hand traffic

Airplane is left downwind heading for runway 13, where is it relative to the runway?
A) The aircraft is East.�B) The aircraft is South.�C) The aircraft is West.

They didn’t tell us it was right hand traffic so we can assume left
For runway 13 (130 deg) the cockpit compass will read 130 on take off and landing

Airplane heading

Wind heading

Downwind

Crosswind

Base

Final

Upwind

Wind direction

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Airplane examples right hand traffic

Airplane is right mid field downwind for runway 13, where is it relative to the runway?
A) The aircraft is East.�B) The aircraft is North.�C) The aircraft is West.

They did tell us it was right hand traffic, so have to take a right hand turn to land
For runway 13 (130 deg) the cockpit compass will read 130 on take off and landing

Airplane heading

Wind heading

Downwind

Crosswind

Base

Final

Upwind

Wind direction

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Airplane examples right hand examples

Airplane is right crosswind for runway 13, where is it relative to the runway?
A) The aircraft is East.�B) The aircraft is South.�C) The aircraft is West.

They did tell us it was right hand traffic, so have to take a right hand turn to land
For runway 13 (130 deg) the cockpit compass will read 130 on take off and landing

Airplane heading

Wind heading

Downwind

Crosswind

Base

Final

Upwind

Wind direction

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Airplane examples drone

You have ATC clearance to fly UAS south of an airport, ATC notifies you to stay clear of runway 6 final approach, what areas should you avoid?
A) East.�B) North.�C) South.

They did not tell us it was right hand traffic, so have to take a left hand turn to land
For runway 6 (60 deg) the cockpit compass will read 60 on take off and landing

Airplane heading

Wind heading

Downwind

Crosswind

Base

Final

Upwind

Wind direction

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Airplane examples drone

You are flying under ATC clearance NE of an airport, ATC says an airplane is departing runway 36 using right hand traffic. Should you be worried?
A) Yes.�B) No.�
They did tell us it was right hand traffic, so have to take right hand turn after take off
For runway 36 (360 deg) the cockpit compass will read 360 on take off and landing

Airplane heading

Wind heading

Downwind

Crosswind

Base

Final

Upwind

Wind direction

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Airplane examples drone

ATC radios an airplane flying on a heading of 090 “Unmanned aircraft operations, 3’ o’clock, 2 miles”, you are flying that drone, where should you look for the airplane?
A) East.�B) North.�C) South.

3 o’clock is 90 degrees to the right from the perspective of the pilot

Airplane heading

Wind heading

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Airport operations

UAS must remain clear of all manned aircraft patterns and operations.
Air Traffic Control clearance provides authorization to proceed under specified traffic conditions in controlled airspace
Runways numbered by direction 0-360 magnetic, rounded to nearest 10 deg with the last zero dropped, so 078° = 080°= runway 8, and the opposite end of the runway is 26 (the opposite end of the compass ± 180), if parallel runways are used it would be 26L and 26R
Airplanes normally take off AND land INTO the wind
Standard traffic is left handed, all turns are to the left, but there may be right handed patterns. On sectional chart it may say “RP 11 16”, which means at RWYs 11 and 16 it is right handed traffic, if it says *RP, right hand pattern is only during certain hours.
A runway is closed when a yellow X is placed at the center. If multiple runways, a runway is closed with an X at each end. If an airport complex has an X at the center, the whole airport is closed.

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Airport signs

Mandatory instruction signs, red back white letters
Instrument landing system ILS- radio beams to assist in guidance
APCH- Approach, Low flying aircraft!
Location signs black back, yellow letters, yellow border
Direction signs yellow back black writing
Holding position signs- red back, white numbers
No entry- paved area, no aircraft allowed

No entry

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Runway and taxiway markings

Taxiway- Yellow
Runway- White
Taxi to runway- solid double yellow lines, with dashed yellow lines beyond
Taxiway directional signs- indicate designation and direction of taxiway leading out of an intersection
You are clear of the runway when all parts of the aircraft have crossed the hold line

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Airport ops at control tower airports

Most airports with towers have Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS), broadcasts weather, runways in use and NOTAMs
If ground control instructs to taxi to runway 6, you can proceed by taxiways and across runways to but not onto runway 6
Pilots should state their position on the airport, when calling the tower for takeoff from a runway intersection
When tower closes airport becomes Class E or G airspace. Check CS and NOTAMS.
Listen to air traffic control on web- www.liveatc.net

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Airport ops at non-control tower airports

Manned aircraft must comply with any FAA traffic pattern established for the airport
Most non-towered airports exist in Class G airspace, Monitor UNICOM or CTAF
Not all aircraft will have radio or ADS-B
Websites to track aircraft in area: www.flightradar24.com

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Flight Service Stations (FSS)

Air traffic facilities that provide: pilot briefings, enroute communications, VFR search and rescue services, assist lost aircraft and aircraft in emergency situations, relay ATC clearances, originate NOTAMs, broadcast aviation weather, receive and process IFR flight plans, and monitor NAVAIDS
Can call by radio or phone
https://www.1800wxbrief.com/Website/#!/

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Airport Operations Test Questions

There are runway hold positions markings on taxiways. What is the need for the markings?

A) Holds aircraft short of runway
B) Distinguish areas where aircraft are allowed and not allowed
C) Give aircraft approvals onto the runway

UAS entering an airport traffic pattern are advised to enter in one of these positions

A) 45 degrees to the base leg just beneath the traffic pattern altitude
B) Direct crossing over the airport at traffic pattern altitude
C) 45 degrees entering at midpoint of the downwind left at traffic pattern altitude

Numbers 9 and 27 present on a runway implies that the runway is oriented nearly

A) 090 degrees and 270 degrees magnetic
B) 090 degrees and 270 degrees true
C) 009 degrees and 072 degrees true

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Part 5 Radio Operation

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Radio Frequencies

You need a Federal Communications Commission license to transmit.

https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/applying-new-license-universal-licensing

Aviation band radio- very high frequency (VHF) 108-137 MHz. VHF is limited to line of sight
Pilots should monitor 121.50 MHz at all times if possible. Aircraft emergency frequency (or GUARD or International Air Distress- IAD)
Common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF)- manned aircraft announce position, intentions, and operations. Pilot to pilot communications
MULTICOM- (122.9 or 122.95 MHz) what you use if there is no CTAF. Usually very small airports.
If an airport does not have a tower, FSS, or UNICOM, broadcast intentions in the blind on the CTAF 122.9.
Standard ops all inbound and local traffic approaching an airport without a tower from a distance of 10 miles.
Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) broadcasts non-control information in selected high-activity terminal areas.

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Radio Alphabet

International- multiple languages

The number three (3) is pronounced “tree.”�

The number five (5) is pronounced “fife.”�

The number nine (9) is pronounced “niner.”

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Radio Etiquette

Resource for phraseology airmen’s information manual AIM
3,500= say “Tree thousand, Fife Hundred”
349°= say “Tree, Four, Niner”
You want to contact the Whitted ATC tower, and your drone is HAWK N666CB. This would be the proper way to contact them:

“Whitted Tower, HAWK SIX SIX SIX CHARLIE BRAVO five NM west of the airport, request permission to enter Class D airspace for unmanned aircraft operations below four hundred AGL, three NM west of the airport”

When entering controlled airspace broadcast intentions and monitor transmissions on the CTAF or MULTICOM frequencies. Give position reports in the traffic pattern.
Minimize risk of radio frequency interference during UAS ops by monitoring frequency use with a spectral analyzer (aviation band scan function)

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Radio Test Questions

What is the definition of the CTAF?

A) The standard frequency that the majority of the towered airports use in the US
B) The air-to-air communication system for pilots to communicate with one another
C) The frequency you tune into to get info from the aeronautical advisory station (UNICOM)

Inbound flight into an airport without tower, UNICOM, or FSS in operation. What MULTICOM frequency should the pilot use to self announce?

A) 122.7
B) 122.8
C) 122.9

All inbound and local traffic moving close to an airport with no control tower should continue to monitor the appropriate facility from which distance?
A) 28 miles
B) 30 miles
C) 10 miles

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Part 6 Weather

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Weather

Hot air = less dense= low pressure areas
When hot air cools it descends and creates high pressure
Every physical process of weather is a result of unequal heating of the earth (heat exchange)
As a volume of air is heated, amount of moisture it can hold increases, ie for a 20°F increase in temp = 2x increase in air capacity to hold moisture.
Dew point is the temp when air becomes saturated and cannot hold more moisture, if air temp is 65° and DT is 48° and then the temp cools (17°) suddenly it will create rain or fog
If Temp and DT are within 5°F, there is a good chance for rain.
When moist air moves over colder ground or water it creates fog, common in coastal areas.
https://www.aviationweather.gov/
https://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/

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Airport Weather

Automated terminal information system (ATIS)- requires a human to monitor, mostly larger airports, most airports broadcast at 55 mins past hr
Automated surface observing system (ASOS)- run by NWS, DOD, and FAA. ASOS broadcasts minute-by-minute observations and is used to generate the METAR and other aviation weather information
Automated weather observing system (AWOS)- mostly run by FAA, report weather every minute
Barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, visibility, sky condition, ceiling height, and precipitation
Before a planned flight, a PIC should obtain a standard weather briefing
If there is no mention of sky condition an visibility, you can assume the ceiling is at least 5000’ and the visibility is at least 5 miles.
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/weather/asos/?state=MT

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Weather Questions

All weather is a result of

High pressure and low-pressure fronts
Unequal heating of the earth
The Coriolis effect

Before a planned UAS flight a PIC should obtain

Pilot flight briefing
Standard weather briefing
METAR briefing

As an air mass is heated

Its ability to hold moisture is decreased
It becomes less dense and can hold more moisture
It descends

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METAR weather

KBTM 271953Z AUTO 33003KT 7SM -RA BKN021 BKN028 OVC032 11/06 A2994 RMK AO2 RAB1855 SLP116 P0001 T01110056
KBTM- Bert Mooney
271953Z- 27^th day, (month assumed), 1953Z time= 7:53p UTC = 1:53p local
33003KT- wind, 1^st 3 =direction (mag) 330 deg= NNW, winds reported in direction they are coming FROM, 2^nd 2= speed 3 knots

VRB= variable, G= gusts

7SM= visibility, if it was M7SM= minus than 7 statute miles
-RA- Rain, BR- Mist (from French Brume), FG- fog, SN- snow, VC= vicinity, so VCTS= thunderstorms in vicinity, - means light, + means heavy
BKN021 BKN028 OVC032 - cloud coverage in hundreds altitude, so broken clouds 2100 to 2800 ft and overcast at 3200 ft, VV= vertical visibility, SKC and CLR= clear, FEW= few, SCT= scattered, OVC= overcast
11/06- temperature and dewpoint in Celsius, 11 deg C, and 6 deg C dewpoint temperature, M11/M06 would be minus 11 and 6
A2994- A= altimeter, pressure of the air measured in inches of mercury, 29.94. Allows altimeter to measure correct height off ground
RMK AO2 RAB1855 SLP116 P0001 T01110056- RMK= remarks, AO2= code to say METAR automated and can tell difference between rain and snow, AO1 means it can not tell difference between rain and snow, RAB= rain began at 1855Z, SLP 116= sea level pressure in millibar, need to add at 10 before the first number and decimal before last so 1011.6
P0001 T01110056- P= hourly precipitation in 100^th of an inch, so 1/100^th of an inch fell in the last hour, T01110056- hourly temp and dewpoint to the nearest 1/10^th of a deg C this is the actual temp/dewpoint at the hour 2000Z, the zero after the T means it is higher than 0 deg C (a 1 would mean it is less than 0 deg C), so it was 11.1 C and DP 5.6C at 2pm local
https://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/metars/index?submit=1&station_ids=KBTM&chk_metars=on&hoursStr=2&chk_tafs=on&std_trans=translated

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METAR Abbreviations

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Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)

5 m radius around airport
P6SM= plus, greater than

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Significant Meteorology- SIGMET

Notification of any weather that can be potentially hazardous to all aircraft

Severe icing, turbulence, dust or sand storms, volcanic ash

Convective SIGMET

Line of thunderstorms, area of thunderstorms, embedded or severe thunderstorms, tornados, hail >= ¾ “ diameter, wind gusts >= 50 kts

Center Weather Areas (CWA)

Same as above but just below severe criteria

Air Meteorology (AIRMET)

Weather potentially hazardous to all aircraft but not meeting SIGMET criteria
Ceilings less than 1000’, visibility less than 3 miles, moderate turbulence, wind >= 30 knots at surface, moderate icing

https://www.aviationweather.gov/sigmet

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METAR Questions

What are the current conditions at Chicago Midway Airport (KMDW)?
METAR KLAX 121852Z 25004KT 6SM BR SCT007 SCT250 16/15 A2991
SPECI KMDW 121856Z 32005KT 1 1/2SM RA OVC007 17/16 A2980 RMK RAB35]

Sky 700 ft overcast, visibility 1-1/2 SM, rain
Sky 7000’ overcast, 1-1/2 SM, heavy rain
Sky 700’ overcast, visibility 11, occasionally 2SM, rain

The wind direction and velocity at KJFK is from
KJFK 121853Z 18004KT 1/2SM FG R04/2200 OVC005 20/18 A3006

180 deg true at 4 knots
180 deg magnetic at 4 knots
040 deg true at 18 knots

Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) cover a radius of

25 miles
10 miles
5 miles

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Cloud Types

Nimbus- big heavy clouds, grayish/black color, possible thunderstorms
Stratus- wispy layer-like, fog when at ground, stable
Cumulus- puffy cloud can become cumulo-nimbus, sign of instability
Cirrus- thin, fibrous

Cumulus

Cirrus

Nimbus

Stratus

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Thunderstorm life cycle

Thunderstorms need high humidity, lifting force, and unstable conditions
Cumulus- updrafts
Mature- updrafts and downdrafts, greatest intensity, rain begins to fall
Dissipating- downdrafts
Squall lines are non-frontal, narrow band of active thunderstorms, often forming ahead of a cold front.
Most dangerous thunderstorms to aircraft are squall line thunderstorms. Squalls can form at any altitude.
Thunderstorms always associated with thunder and lightning
Thunderstorms are associated with wind-shear turbulence

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Thunderstorm Questions

One of the weather phenomenon is usually linked with a thunderstorm

Heavy rain
Hail
Lightning

In general, one of the following types of thunderstorms create the greatest danger to aircraft

Supercell thunderstorm
Steady-state thunderstorm
Squall-line thunderstorm

Which of these conditions is critical for a thunderstorm to form

Unstable conditions, lifting force, and high humidity
High temp, lifting force, and unstable conditions
Cloudiness, moist air, and high humidity

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Weather fronts

Cold front- steep rounded face, cumulus and cumulonimbus, typical thunderstorms and heavy rain
Warm front straighter slope high cirrus clouds and lower altostratus and nimbostratus
Occluded front has cold air and cooler air (green), many cloud types, cold front overtaking a warm front
A change in temperature is an easily recognized discontinuity along a front

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Weather Fronts Symbols

Good introduction: http://www.nwclimate.org/guides/weather-charts-tutorial/

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Fog Types

Radiation- heat radiating from surface at night. Commonly warm moist air moving over flatland on clear, calm nights

Advection- warm moist air moves over a colder surface. Typically an air mass moving inland from the coast in winter

Up-slope- moist air moves toward slope and cools

Precipitation- evaporative cooling leads to fog

Steam- winter, dry cold air passes from land to ocean, turbulence, icing

Advection and upslope fog need wind to exist

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Structural icing

Structural icing needs visible water (rain or cloud droplets) and temperature of 0°C or colder

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Weather indicators

Ice pellets at surface= inversion with freezing rain at altitude
Fog likely when temperature and dew point are within 5°F
When flying across a weather front, there is always a change in wind direction
Stable air mass= stratiform clouds, poor surface visibility, fog, continuous precipitation, haze
Unstable air= cumulus clouds, turbulence, showery precipitation, good visibility
A microburst typically lasts less than 15 minutes
Atmospheric pressure can be used to determine stability of the atmosphere
Strong winds= high battery consumption and might make it impossible to overcome
Generally thermals occur over dry areas more than moist areas. Thermals are updrafts in convective currents dependent on solar heating
Around buildings, wind gusts can change rapidly in direction and speed causing turbulence
Standard temperature and pressure values at sea level are 15°C and 29.92 Hg (inches of mercury)
An air mass would have decreased stability if it is warming from below
Clouds, fog, or dew will always form when water vapor condenses
Best flying conditions occur with cool, dry air

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Weather Indicator Questions

What does the presence of ice pellets at the surface indicate?

That there are thunderstorms in the vicinity
That there is a temperature inversion with freezing rain at higher altitudes
It indicates there is turbulence

How best can a PIC determine the possibility of local fog formation?

By monitoring the wind conditions to be sure there’s no increase in speed
By monitoring the barometric pressure to be sure it isn’t decreasing
By monitoring the temperature and dew point spread

A crucial in-flight condition for structural icing formation is

Stratiform clouds
Visible moisture
Wind shear

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Wake turbulence

Can reach 1000 feet behind a large heavy plane
Helicopters create turbulence during and after passing
Even airflow from engines on runway can create turbulence

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Turbulence

Unstable, Showery

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Wind Shear

Can happen at any altitude

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Humidity

Less visibility, hazy
As humidity goes up, air pressure goes down
Wings have fewer molecules to react with= less lift

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Unstable vs. stable air

Unstable- Hot and humid

Air mass with cold air overlying warm air. Warm air wants to rise to become thunderstorm
Showery precipitation
Rough air- turbulence
Good visibility except in blowing obstructions

Stable- poor visibility, steady rain, drizzle

Air mass with warm air overlying cold air, cold air cannot rise to displace warm air.
Fog
Smooth air
Fair to poor visibility, haze

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Air Stability Questions

It is almost certain a stable air mass will have one of the following characteristics

Rough air
Poor visibility
Cumuliform clouds

Atmospheric stability can be determined with which measurement

Actual lapse rate
The lifted index
Surface temperature

Which weather conditions should be expected beneath a low-level temperature inversion layer when the relative humidity is high?

Smooth air, poor visibility, fog, haze, or low clouds
Turbulent air, poor visibility, fog, low stratus clouds, showery precipitation
Light wind shear, poor visibility, haze, and light rain

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Density altitude

Air density given as a height above sea level. Increasing temperature and humidity and decreasing pressure will cause an increase in the density altitude.
Reducing air density= reduction in prop/wing efficiency
Hot and high airports- Mexico City= slow acceleration, slower climbing, reduced lift
If outside air temperature at a given altitude is warmer than standard, the density altitude will be higher than the pressure altitude

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Atmosphere Lapse Rate

As you increase in altitude, you decrease in pressure and temperature
Pressure decreases because weight of air above you is reduced, and air density is reduced

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Density Altitude Questions

At a given altitude where the outside air temperature is warmer than standard, then the density altitude is

Higher than the pressure altitude
Lower than the pressure altitude
Equal to the pressure altitude

Which of the factors will probably increase the density altitude at a certain airport

A decrease in the relative humidity
An increase in the ambient temperature
An increase in the relative humidity

How will high density altitude affect the efficiency of unmanned aircraft propellers?

Propellers are always efficient so there’s no effect
Propellers become more efficient
Propellers become less efficient

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Updrafts and Downdrafts

Updrafts- gravel pits, plowed or barren land, give off heat and create updrafts
Downdrafts- water, trees, and vegetation absorb heat and can cause downdrafts

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Weather Test Questions

What would make the stability of an air mass decrease?

A) Warming from below
B) Increase in water vapor
C) Impossible for air mass stability to decrease

A moist, unstable air mass is characterized by

A) Good visibility and turbulence
B) Smooth air
C) Smoke and haze

Which of the following statements is correct?

A) Wind shear can exist at all altitudes
B) Wind shear can only exist at moderately high altitudes
C) Wind shear can exist at low altitudes

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Part 7 Physics

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Stalling and Angle of Attack

The angle of attack is the angle between the relative wind and the chord line of the wing
When critical angle of attack (usually 16-20°, depends on airplane) is exceeded the aircraft stalls.
Increasing stall speed is bad. Meaning you would stall at a faster speed.

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Angle of Attack and Stalling

Stalling can occur at any altitude or airspeed.
When critical angle of attack is exceeded, an airplane will stall regardless of airspeed, weight, load factor, bank angle, temperature, density altitude, or center of gravity.
Exceeding critical angle of attack is most common at low speeds, high speeds, and in turns

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Angle of Attack Questions

What is the definition of the term “angle of attack”?

An angle between the wing line of chord and the relative wind
An angle between the line of chord and the longitudinal axis of the airplane
The angle between the horizon and climb angle of the airplane

A stall occurs when the smooth airflow over the unmanned aircraft’s wing and/or propellers are disrupted, and the lift reduces rapidly. This is caused when the wing/propellers

Exceed the maximum allowable operating weight
Exceed the critical angle of attack
Exceed the maximum speed

The critical angle of attack

Is always 10-20 degrees
Is constant for a specific airplane, always between 16-20 degrees
Changes depending on the gross weight of the aircraft

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Center of Gravity

Center of gravity- CG, changing CG beyond limits of design will impact handling and maneuverability. FAA thinks CG is listed in the Pilot’ Operating Handbook or UAS Flight Manual.
When loading UAS with cameras/sensors, mount them so they do not adversely affect the center of gravity
Overloading can cause loss of control or performance anomalies
In a 45 degree banking turn, UAV will stall at a higher speed
If CG is outside approved limits UAS will be less stable at all speeds

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Loading and Launching Questions

To ensure the UAS center of gravity (CG) limits are not exceeded, follow the aircraft loading instructions in the

Pilot’s operating handbook or UAS flight manual
Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
Aircraft weight and balance handbook

When operating an unmanned airplane, the remote pilot should consider the load factor on the wings may be increased any time

The gross weight is decreased
The CG is shifted rearward to the aft CG limit
The airplane is subjected to maneuvers other than straight and level flight

The most significant conditions affecting launch conditions are some combination of altitude, high gross weight, temperature, and

Power plant system
Obstacles around the launch area
Unfavorable wind

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Load Factor

Load factor- increases during turns, so maneuvers other than straight can cause erratic behavior. Increasing load factor will cause stalling at higher airspeeds.
Stall speed increases in proportion to the square root of the load factor, so with a load factor of 4, the aircraft will stall at a speed double the normal stall speed.
At slow speeds the lifting force of the wing is only slightly greater than the amount to support the weight of the UAS. But at high speeds a strong gust may increase load factor beyond safe limits.
Load factor increases when maneuvers other than straight, level flight

If your drone is 10lbs and it is taking a 60° turn, what is the weight

the structure has to support?

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Launching

Uphill terrain slope= increased launch distance due to added drag and rolling fracture which reduces the accelerating force
Critical launch performance conditions: high gross weight, altitude, temperature, unfavorable wind
Overloading will cause shorter endurance

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Range and Endurance

When range (distance or total coverage) and economy of operation (fuel or batteries) are principal goals:

Pilot must operate at recommended long range cruise condition
Allows lesser flight distance with maximum fuel reserve at destination

Maximum endurance = minimum power to maintain steady, level flight
Loading a UAS above max weight = shorter endurance
The best source for UAS performance data is the manufacturer publications

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Performance Questions

When flying an aircraft, the maximum endurance is achieved when using its minimum power to help maintain the aircraft

In a long-range descent
In steady and level flight
At its maximum possible speed

To get valuable information and data for the performance of a UAS, the best source is

Estimation from a similar system
Pilot report
Manufacture’s publications

How does an uphill terrain slope affect launch performance?

Increases launch distances
Decreases launch distances
Increases launch speed

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Pitch Roll Yaw

For quadrocopter UAS:

Pitch= forward or backward movement
Roll= left or right movement
Yaw= spinning left or right

For an airplane

Pitch= nose up or down, controlled by elevator
Roll/bank= wings down or up,

controlled by ailerons

Yaw= spin horizontally, controlled by rudders

Rudder= Yaw

Aileron= Roll

Elevator= Pitch

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GPS/Altimeter/Speed

If your UAS does not have an altimeter or GPS to determine the operating altitude

Gain a visual perspective of what 400 ft looks like on the ground before the flight

If GPS signal is lost, operate UAS normally, and keep track of any mode or control changes. Most UAS are designed to fly in the event of GPS loss.
Altimeter settings are corrected to sea level, unequal heating of the earth causes pressure differences, so altimeter may need calibration based on location
If you don’t have a readout of speed, use dead reckoning. Fly between 2 fixed points, and estimate distance per time.
If you have a lost link (between controller and UAS), notify all crew and ATC (if applicable) while executing the briefed lost link procedure.

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Physics Test Questions

If the critical angle of attack is exceeded, then the airfoil will stall. This stall angle of attack will

A) Decrease when gross weight increases
B) Remain the same irrespective of gross weight
C) Slightly increase with a decrease in gross weight

What is the function of the rudder on a UAS?

A) It controls the yaw
B) It controls the pitch
C) It controls the bank

When the primary goals are range and economy of operation, the PIC must make sure the UAS will be operated at the recommended

A) Long range cruise performance
B) Airspeed
C) Specific endurance

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Organizations

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)

Membership $75/yr
Insurance coverage: $2.5M personal liability, $25k Medical Coverage
$1k Fire, theft, vandalism coverage
Magazine
Ability to fly at charter clubs
https://www.modelaircraft.org/membership/enroll

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

Membership $59-$158/yr
Aviation training and safety resources
https://www.aopa.org/membership-vhsptob

Association of Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI)

Membership $150/yr
Conference XPONENTIAL
Webinars
https://www.auvsi.org/why-join-auvsi

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Links to More Information

Study Material to take test on your own $175:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ucCKFJUCU

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/remote_pilot_study_guide.pdf

https://3dr.com/faa/drone-practice-tests/

http://www.treetop.academy/Sample_Test/Introduction_to_Sample_Exam.html

Online link to FAA aeronautical sectional charts: https://skyvector.com/
Phone/Tablet Apps for automated flight with drones

App to get near-instant FAA permission to fly: aloft air control
Contacts for Drone Equipment/Support:

Andrew Coleman, UAV Sales and Project Consultant, Selby’s, Billings, acoleman@selbys.com, 406-698-3229
Mike Digrandi, UAV Sales, Quadrocopter, Columbia Falls, mike@quadrocopter.com, 406-897-1027
Collin Kemmesat, UAS Technical Sales, Frontier Precision, Collin@frontierprecision.com, 701-222-2031

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Study Guide and Practice Tests

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Butte Drone Training Area

Area: 470 acres
Ownership: MTech, Butte Silver Bow, World Mining Museum

Research-

Light Ranging and Detection (Lidar)- Real-time Mapping and Obstacle Avoidance
Magnetometer and Electromagnetic Sensor Development
Thermal and Multispectral Imaging Applications
Beyond Line of Sight, Flight Over People, Nighttime Flight

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Getting your license

Navigating the Process to Become a Drone Pilot:
Step 1: Obtain an FAA Tracking Number (FTN) by creating an Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) profile prior to registering for a knowledge test. Sign up as an applicant here: https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx
Step 2: Sign up for a PSI account:https://candidate.psiexams.com/
Step 3: On the PSI site you can choose the testing center date and time of test. Pay $175 on the site
Step 4: Show up on the date/time at the test center for the test. Pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test.
Step 5: Complete FAA Form 8710-13 for a remote pilot certificate using the IACRA
Step 6: A confirmation email will be sent after the completion of TSA background check. It will have instructions to print a temporary remote pilot certificate.
Step 7: A permanent remote pilot certificate will be mailed