What should the remote PIC check prior to and during every sUAS flight?
Weather conditions
Weather factors can greatly influence performance and safety of flight.
Name the factors that affect sUAS performance and risk management.
- Atmospheric pressure and stability
- Wind and currents
- Uneven surface heating
- Visibility and cloud clearance
- Precipitation
These factors are critical for safe sUAS operations.
What is the major source of all weather?
The sun
The sun’s heating causes variations in weather patterns.
What phenomenon is caused by the unequal heating of the Earth’s atmosphere?
Air-cell circulation pattern (wind)
Warmer air rises, while colder air descends, creating wind.
What are convective currents?
Small areas of local circulation caused by uneven heating of the air
They can create turbulent air affecting sUAS control.
What types of surfaces are likely to result in updrafts?
- Plowed ground
- Rocks
- Sand
- Barren land
- Pavement
- Urban areas
These surfaces radiate a large amount of heat.
What types of surfaces are likely to result in downdrafts?
- Water
- Trees
- Vegetation
These surfaces tend to absorb and retain heat.
True or false: Wind and currents can affect sUAS performance and maneuverability during all phases of flight.
TRUE
Wind can create rapidly changing conditions that affect flight.
What is a cold front?
The leading edge of an advancing cold air mass
Cold fronts are often accompanied by poor weather.
What is a warm front?
The leading edge of an advancing warm air mass
Warm fronts move slower and have more widespread weather impacts.
What are the three conditions necessary for the formation of a thunderstorm?
- Sufficient water vapor
- An unstable lapse rate
- An initial lifting force
These conditions are essential for thunderstorm development.
What are the three stages of a thunderstorm?
- Cumulus
- Mature
- Dissipating
Each stage has distinct characteristics and hazards.
What is virga?
Precipitation that evaporates before reaching the ground
It is associated with turbulent conditions.
What is a microburst?
A small-scale intense downdraft that spreads outward upon reaching the ground
Microbursts can exceed 6,000 feet per minute in downdrafts.
What is structural icing?
Icing that occurs when supercooled droplets contact an aircraft at below freezing temperatures
It can significantly affect sUAS performance.
What are the effects of structural icing on an sUAS?
- Lift decreases
- Weight and stalling speed increase
- Thrust decreases
- Drag increases
Icing can lead to loss of control.
What is fog?
A surface-based cloud that restricts visibility
Fog can significantly impact sUAS operations.
What happens to thrust and drag when icing occurs on a rotary wing?
- Thrust decreases
- Drag increases
Icing can significantly affect the performance of rotary wing aircraft.
The presence of ice pellets at the surface indicates what weather condition at a higher altitude?
Freezing rain
Wet snow indicates that the temperature at your altitude is above freezing.
What should remote pilots do if ice is accumulating on the sUAS?
Recover it immediately
This is to avoid loss of control.
What is fog?
A surface-based cloud composed of water droplets or ice crystals
Fog restricts visibility and can form by cooling the air to its dew point or adding moisture.
Name the types of fog based on their formation.
- Radiation fog
- Advection fog
- Upslope fog
- Precipitation-induced fog
- Steam fog
Each type has distinct formation processes and conditions.
What is density altitude?
The altitude at which the air density is equal to the standard atmosphere
It affects sUAS performance based on temperature and pressure deviations.
What factors can decrease sUAS flight performance?
- Decreased atmospheric pressure
- Increased altitude
- Increased temperature
- Increased humidity
A combination of high temperature, humidity, and altitude results in higher density altitude.
