1
Q
What is a VO?
A
Visual Observer
2
Q
What does PIC stand for?
A
Pilot in Command
3
Q
What does SUAS stand for?
A
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
4
Q
What does VLOS stand for?
A
VIsual Line of Sight
5
Q
What does METAR stand for?
A
Meteorological Aerodrome Report
6
Q
What time are METARS written in?
A
Greenwhich Time (Zulu)
7
Q
How often do METARs get published?
A
Every 55 minutes
8
Q
What is UTC time?
A
It’s a universal time zone. Another name for it is Zulu.
9
Q
Read this METAR:
KORL 191553Z 04006KT 10SM SCT039 SCT049 33/23 A3019
A
KORL = Orlando Airport ID
Published the 19th of the month at 15:53 Zulu
Winds: From 0400 at 6 knots
Visibility: 10 Statute Miles
Scattered Clouds between 3900 feet and 4900 feet
Temperature: 33 CELSIUS!
Dew Point: 23 CELSIUS!
Altimeter: Set to 30.19 inches of mercury.
10
Q
What do these METAR abbreviations stand for?
VV, SKC or CLR, FEW, SCT, BKN, OVC
A
VV: Vertical Visibility
SKC: No layers of clouds reported (used at manual stations)
CLR: No layers of clouds reported at or below 12,000 feet (used by automated stations.
FEW: Few
SCT: scattered
BKN: broken
OVC: overcast
11
Q
What does NOTAM stand for?
A
Notice to Airmen
12
Q
What number can you call for a weather brief
A
1-800-WX-Brief
13
Q
What is a TFR?
A
Temporary Flight Restriction:
Sometimes you are temporarily restricted from flying in certain areas for certain reasons, such as flyovers or the president coming into town, etc.
14
Q
What are TAFs?
A
Terminal Aerodrome Forecast.
A concise weather forecast for a specific airport and its immediate vicinity, typically within a 5-mile radius.
An extended and in-depth METAR that comes out every 55 minutes. Good for 24-hour forecasts.
15
Q
Translate this TAF:
KJST 172320Z 1800/1824 21005KT P6SM FEW250
FM180700 17004KT P6SM SCT120 OVC200
FM181300 19010KT P6SM SCT120 BKN250
FM181700 20012G24KT P6SM SCT250
A
Location: Johnstown
Day: 17th
Time published: 23:20 Zulu
Valid: from 18th at 00:00 to 18th at 24:00 (zulu)
Wind: from 210 at 5 Knots
Visibility: Greater than 6 Statute Miles (6 statute miles, plus)
Few clouds at 25,000 feet
From 18th at 07:00: wind from 170 at 4 knots
Scattered clouds at 12,000 feet. Overcast at 20,000 feet.
From 18th at 13: 00 winds from 190 at 10 knots. (and you know how it goes).
16
Q
What are the 3 types of weather briefs?
A
Standard, Abbreviated, and Outlook
17
Q
What is a standard weather brief?
A
The most complete weather briefing. It’s good for a pilot who does not have an opportunity to gather any other weather data.
Standard Weather Briefings provide:
adverse conditions for VFR, whether or not a flight is recommended, synopsis of current conditions, NOTAMs and TFRs.
18
Q
What is an abbreviated weather briefing?
A
Best for pilots who need to update information on previous weather briefings or for pilots who only need a few key pieces of weather data to complete their picture of the weather.
19
Q
What is an outlook weather briefing?
A
This is for pilots who are planning a flight 6 or more hours out. The briefer provides forecast information for the proposed flight route. This will help a pilot determine the feasibility of a flight.
20
Q
Where is Class A airspace?
A
It’s everywhere and at a level of 18,000 - 60,000 Mean Sea Level (MSL)
21
Q
What altimeter setting is used by all aircraft flying in Class A airspace?
A
29.92 inches of mercury
22
Q
Can you fly VFR at 18,500 feet?
A
No! Class A airspace is IFR-only.
23
Q
What does Class B airspace look like on a sectional?
A
Solid blue lines around the busiest airports in the country. They look like upside-down wedding cakes, as there are several tiers of ceilings and floors to these airspaces represented by one number over another number (90/60).
24
Q
What is FL27?
A
Flight Level: 2,700 feet MSL
25
What is the solid magenta line surrounding a Class B airport?
The Mode C veil, in which all aircraft are expected to have a Mode C transponder in order to enter the airspace.
26
Which airspace is indicated by a solid magenta line and is typically used around large airports for medium-sized to large cities?
Class C airspace
27
What is the typical floor and ceiling of the outer shelf of Class C airspace?
1,200 feet AGL to 4,000 feet AGL
28
Which airspace is indicated by a dashed blue line and is used at airports that are busy enough for a control tower but not used for the busiest types of airports?
Class D
29
What is the typical ceiling for Class D airspace?
2500 AGL
30
How is Class E airspace shown on a sectional chart?
A magenta vignette.
31
If a sectional chart does not say otherwise, what is the floor of the Class E airspace?
1200
32
How far up does Class E airspace extend?
Class E airspace extends up to, but does not include, 18,000 feet.
33
What does a dashed magenta circle indicate within Class E airspace?
This means that area of the Class E airspace goes down to the ground.
34
What airspace is above 60,000 feet?
Class E again! Class E extends up to, but does not include, 18,000 feet and continues again after 60,000 feet.
35
What are the weather minimums to fly VFR at less than 10,000 feet MSL in Class E airspace?
3 statute miles of visibility; stay at least 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.
36
Where is Class G airspace?
Class G airspace exists anywhere controlled airspace does not exist.
37
What are the requirements for flying under 10,000 feet MSL in Class G airspace?
Visibility: 1 miles in the day and 3 miles at night.
38
What are the minimums for flying in Class G airspace below 1,200 feet AGL?
Same visibility requirements as flying under 10,000 feet MSL.
Also, you need to stay 1,000 feet above, 500 feet below, and 2,000 feet horizontally away from clouds.
39
What are the minimum requirements for flying in Class G airspace that exists over 10,000 feet MSL and 1,200 feet AGL?
Same as high-altitude Class E:
Visibility: 5 miles
Stay 1,000 feet above, 1,000 feet below, and 1 statute mile horizontally away from clouds.
There is an exception in the traffic pattern at night. You only need 1 mile of visibility and to stay clear of clouds.
40
What airspace is depicted by a hatched blue line and has an identifier that begins with a "P" followed by a number, such as P-47?
Prohibited areas where no flight is allowed for any reason. These areas are there for reasons of national security. An example could be a nuclear weapons facility.
41
How is night defined by the FAA 14 CFR Part 1?
Between evening civil twilight and morning civil twilight as defined by the Federal Air Almanac (converted to local time).
42
With what exceptions can a drone pilot fly at night?
Anti-collision lights visible for 3 miles.
43
What are navigation lights?
Green and red lights. Red for the left wing, green for the right wing.
44
What are anti-collision lights?
A white strobing light. They must be visible for at least 3 statute miles and strobe at a frequency of 40-100 cycles per minute.
45
Give an example of how airspaces can be recognized in order for easy memorization and recall.
Bravo: Blue, Solid
Charlie: Magenta, Solid
Delta: Blue, Dashed
Echo: Magenta, Dashed
Blue solid, magenta solid, blue dashed, magenta dashed.
46
Which airspace can you fly in without explicit authorization?
Gulf
47
What does a blue number in bracketed square mean within Delta airspace?
It's the ceiling of the delta airspace.
48
What is the height of Class D airspace?
Class D typically goes from the surface to 2,500 AGL, or up to the floor of the overlying airspace.
49
What does a magenta vignette signify?
A gradient of magenta, or faded area, represents a transition area where an aircraft must come down from 1,200 feet AGL (outside of the solid part of the vignette) to a maximum altitude of 700 feet AGL (within the faded edge of the vignette). It's Class E airspace.
50
What is the primary airspace where drones are typically flown, even for commercial purposes?
Class G (we essentially avoid controlled airspace).
51
What mass range requires a Part 107 certificate to fly the drone?
If a drone weighs between 0.55 and 55 pounds (24.94758 kilos), you're required to hold a Part 107 certificate to legally fly it. If a drone weighs MORE THAN 0.55 pounds (250 grams), you need a Part 107
52
What is a magenta, hashed airspace?
MOA (Military Operation Area)
You can legally fly through an active MOA without permission if you’re under VFR. However, doing so could bring you face-to-face with fighter jets flying over 250 knots.
53
What is a blue, hashed airspace?
Restricted airspace
The FAA prohibits pilots from flying through a Restricted area while it’s active. Active means that hazardous activities are currently going on inside. You can find the active hours and affected altitudes on your sectional chart or EFB.
54
What is a magenta dotted line?
It's the boundary for an ADIZ (Air Defense Identification Zone)
The Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) surrounds the country’s perimeter. The ADIZ protects against incursions from unknown aircraft into the country.
If you’re flying through an ADIZ, you must be on an IFR or defense VFR flight plan and be in contact with ATC. The government treats unidentified aircraft entering the ADIZ as possible threats. Unauthorized entry into an ADIZ might result in interception by military aircraft.
Sectional charts depict ADIZ boundaries with a magenta line with dots.
55
How are runways numbered?
They are a 2-digit number based on the compass bearing that one would have to fly to land on that runway. For example, 36 would be a runway that is bearing north. Letters such as R, L, and C are used when multiple runways use the same magnetic bearing and are parallel with each other at the same airport. Runway 36R (36 Right), 36C (36 Center). The left, right, or center designation is relative to the pilot on final.
56
What is a certificate of waiver?
A waiver is an official document issued by the FAA that approves certain operations of aircraft outside the limitations of a regulation. You may request to fly specific drone operations not allowed under Part 107 by requesting an operational waiver.
57
What is the minimum timeframe to submit a certificate of waiver?
90 days
58
What level are cirrocumulus, cirrostratus, and cirrus clouds located at?
At 23,000 feet and above
59
At what level are altocumulus, and altostratus clouds located?
6,500 feet to 23,000 feet
60
At what level are nimbostratus, stratus, stratocumulus, and cumulus located?
They top out at up to 6,500 feet.
61
What is the base and maximum height of a cumulonimbus cloud?
The base can be located below 6,500 feet and the top of the cloud can be above 23,000 feet.
62
What frequency is used at a non-towered airport when UNICOM isn’t available?
122.9 Mhz
63
What are the 5 basic legs of an airport traffic pattern?
Departure, crosswind, downwind, base, final.
64
How do airplanes normally enter the traffic pattern?
At approximately a 45-degree angle into the downwind leg.
65
What is the upwind leg?
The upwind leg is a leg usually not used for the basic traffic pattern. It's usually only used when aircraft have to circle around after aborting a landing or being told to circle by ATC.
66
What are movement and non-movement areas at an airport?
Non-movement areas are places like airport ramps or aprons, where you are not required to communicate with the tower.
Movement areas are places such as taxiways and runways where you are required to communicate with the tower.
67
How can you tell if you're in the movement area or the non-movement area?
There is a solid yellow line with a dashed yellow line. If you're on the solid side of the line, you're in a non-movement area, like at a ramp or apron.
If you're on the dashed side of the line, you're in a movement area, such as a runway or taxiway.
68
What demarcates a taxiway?
A taxiway has a solid centerline that you center your plane along when you're taxiing.
69
What is a hold short line?
A hold short line has a double solid yellow line and a double dashed yellow line that is perpendicular to the plane. +---|=> ||;;
You cannot cross this hold-short marker from the solid double lines side unless you have clearance from the ATC. You can cross from the dashed lines side because that helps to facilitate clearing movement areas and getting you out of the way.
70
What are red signs with white markings at an airport?
Mandatory instruction signs. They are normally near runways, critical areas, or prohibited areas.
71
What are black signs with yellow markings at airports?
They are location signs and show which runway or taxiway you are currently on.
72
What is a black sign with white markings on a runway?
Runway distance remaining markers. They show how much distance of usable runway you have left.
73
What are horizontal yellow signs that consist of horizontal black lines, such as double-dashed/double solid or a "ladder" pattern?
These are boundary markers that are especially useful for larger aircraft that may not easily see these markings on the ground. The double dashed/double solid black line on a yellow sign is an exit boundary of runway protected areas.
The horizontal "ladder" is an ILS Critical Area Boundary sign.
74
What is a radio frequency number followed by a small dark circle with the letter "c" in it?
CTAF frequency, which is used to communicate at non-towered airports or when the tower is closed. (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency)
75
What is an air mass?
A large body of air with relatively uniform temperature and moisture characteristics throughout.
76
What type of weather front is indicated by triangular "teeth" on a line, marking the leading edge of the front?
Cold fronts are blue lines with triangular teeth.
77
What type of weather front has semicircles on a line?
Warm fronts are red lines with semicircles on them.
78
This type of front passes through pretty quickly. After this type of front passes through, you will notice windier conditions that can cause turbulence. More extreme fronts of this type can cause hail, thunderstorms, and even tornadoes.
cold fronts
79
True or False: warm fronts move half as fast as cold fronts.
True
80
These types of fronts are preceded by lower ceilings, increased precipitation, and reduced visibility.
Warm fronts
81
What is the most stable weather condition for drones to fly in?
Cool, dry air. It's very stable and resists vertical movement.
82
What is atmospheric stability?
It's the resistance of the atmosphere to vertical motions. For example, a stable atmosphere has no upward or downward movement of air. An unstable atmosphere allows upward and downward movement, creating convective currents.
83
Between unstable and stable air, which has the following characteristics?
- smooth air
- fair or poor visibility
- continuous precipitation
Stable air
84
Between unstable and stable air, which has the following characteristics?
- rough air
- good visibility
- showery precipitation
Unstable air
85
Generally speaking, considering that you're flying in Class G airspace as a drone pilot, what is the distance you must keep from the clouds?
- 500 feet below
- 2,000 feet horizontally
- 3 statute miles of visibility (don't forget the visibility you need!)
86
What are the 5 types of fog?
- radiation fog
- advection fog
- upslope fog
- precipitation-induced fog
- steam fog
87
What is radiation fog?
Radiation, also known as ground fog, forms over low-lying flat surfaces on clear, calm, humid nights. It typically extends less than 20' off the ground.
88
What is advection fog?
Advection fog is fog resulting from the movement of warm, humid air over a cold surface.
89
What is upslope fog?
Upslope fog forms when moist air flows upward over rising terrain, causing it to cool adiabatically to its dew point temperature.
(a-dee-a-bat-ick-ah-lee) means to occur without loss or gain of heat.
90
What is precipitation-induced fog?
Precipitation Fog: This is fog that forms when rain is falling through cold air. This is common with warm fronts, but it can occur with cold fronts as well, only if they're not moving too fast. Cold air, dry at the surface while rain is falling through it, evaporates and causes the dew point to rise.
91
What is steam fog?
Steam fog, also known as steaming fog, evaporation fog, frost smoke, sea smoke, or Arctic sea smoke, occurs when evaporation takes place into cold air lying over warmer water.
92
What is density altitude?
The FAA defines density altitude as pressure altitude corrected for nonstandard temperature variations. It's a way to estimate the altitude at which an aircraft would experience the same aerodynamic performance in a standard atmosphere.
The higher the density altitude, the worse the aircraft will perform.
93
What are 3 factors that affect density altitude, and why?
- High temperatures: warmer air is less dense
- High humidity: more water vapor = less air mass
- High elevation: The higher the elevation, the less dense the air will be.
94
How much distance should aircraft keep away from thunderstorms?
20 nautical miles
95
What are the three stages to a thunderstorm?
- cumulus
- mature
- dissipating
96
What is the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm?
According to the FAA, the cumulus stage of a thunderstorm is characterized by a developing stage with a continuous updraft. This updraft, or rising column of air, causes the cumulus cloud to grow taller, often looking like a tower. While there may be some initial rainfall, the cumulus stage is primarily known for its building phase and the absence of downdrafts.
97
What is the mature stage of a thunderstorm?
According to the FAA, the mature stage of a thunderstorm is characterized by the presence of both updrafts and downdrafts and the beginning of precipitation, which can include heavy rain, hail, and lightning. This stage is considered the most dangerous because it's when most of the severe weather hazards associated with thunderstorms, such as strong winds, turbulence, and potentially even tornadoes, occur.
98
What is the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm?
According to the FAA, the dissipating stage of a thunderstorm is characterized by strong downdrafts, a weakening of the updraft, and the cessation of precipitation. Downdrafts become dominant, cutting off the supply of rising moist air, causing the storm to die out. Light rain and weak outflow winds may still be present, but eventually, the storm leaves behind only a remnant anvil top.
99
Which stage of the thunderstorm creates areas of low pressure?
Cumulus stage
100
What is the most "violent" stage of thunderstorm development?
Mature stage
101
This stage of a thunderstorm is dominated by downdrafts and a reduction in updrafts.
Dissipating stage
102
As a general rule of thumb, how can you calculate how far away a thunderstorm is?
You can determine the distance you are from a thunderstorm by measuring the amount of seconds that have passed from when you saw lightning and when you heard thunder.
Ex: You see lightning, and it takes you 5 seconds to hear the thunder; the storm is 5 miles away from you.
103
What is a microburst?
According to the FAA, a microburst is a small-scale, intense downdraft within a thunderstorm that, when it reaches the surface, spreads outwards in all directions from the center of the downdraft. It is considered the most severe type of wind shear. Microbursts can pose a significant threat to aviation and are often associated with strong winds and can cause extensive damage at the surface.
These can happen quickly, and there is no way a pilot can anticipate these. This caused Delta Flight 191 to crash in 1985 as a microburst occurred just short of the runway upon final.
104
What does AO2 mean in the remarks section of a METAR?
AO2 means that the reading was taken with a precipitation discriminator sensor.
105
What does AO1 mean in the remarks section of a METAR?
AO1 means the reading was taken from a station that was not using a precipitation discriminator sensor. This type of station can identify if precipitation is occurring, but it cannot tell the type of precipitation.
106
What does SLP232 mean on a METAR?
SLP232 means that the sea level pressure is 1023.2 millibars.
107
Read this code from the remarks section of a METAR:
T02390067
Temperature: 23.9 degrees Celsius
Dew point: 6.7 degrees Celsius
Note: a leading zero in the temperature code indicates a positive temperature. A 1 would indicate a negative number (1239 = -23.9)
108
Read this code from the remarks section of a METAR:
RAB09E23
Rain began at 9 minutes past the hour and ended at 23 minutes past the hour.
If this METAR was issued at 150351Z, that would mean that on the 13th day of the month, this was issued at 03:51 Zulu. Therefore, rain began at 03:09 Zulu and ended at 03:23 Zulu.
Part 107 Drone
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