FAA PART 107 STUDY GUIDE

Above Ground Level (AGL)

Height above the ground over which you're flying

Advisory Circular

Type of publication offered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Unless they're incorporated into a regulation by specific reference, ACs are issued to inform the public of nonregulatory material and are not binding.

Aeronautical Advisory Stations (UNICOM).

Air to ground communication facility employed at airports with a low volume of general aviation traffic and where no control tower is active.

Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM)

Systematic mental approach to consistently determine the best course of action in a given situation

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

Federal Aviation Association (FAA) official guide to basic flight information and Air Traffic Control (ATC) procedures.

Aeronautical Knowledge Test.

Federal Aviation Association (FAA) exam required to become a Remote Pilot in Command (PIC) for a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS).

Air Traffic Control (ATC).

Responsible for providing the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic at airports where the type of operations and/or volume of traffic requires such a service.

Airmen's Meteorological Information (AIRMET)

Weather advisory that contains information about weather events that are potentially unsafe. Compared to SIGMETs, AIRMETs cover less severe weather.

Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS

Weather reporting system that provides surface observations up to the minute via digitized voice broadcasts and printed reports

Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS)

Continuous broadcast of recorded aeronautical information in busier airports. Contain essential information such as weather information, active runways, available approaches, and NOTAM.

Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS).

Weather reporting system that consists of various sensors, a processor, a computer-generated voice subsystem, and a transmitter to broadcast weather data on a minute-by-minute basis.

Aviation Area Forecast (FA)

Encompasses the weather conditions over a large regional area. Beneficial in verifying airport conditions at airports that do not have terminal aerodrome forecasts.

Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR).

Observation of current surface weather reported in a standard international format. Issued hourly unless significant weather changes have occurred.

B4UFly App

Smartphone app from the Federal Aviation Association (FAA) that helps unmanned aircraft operators determine whether there are any restrictions or requirements in effect at the location where they want to fly.

Center of Gravity (CG).

The point at which your aircraft would perfectly balance if it were suspended at that point.

Certificate of Waiver (CoW).

Allows a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) operation to deviate from certain provisions of Part 107 as long as the FAA finds that the proposed operation can be safely conducted under the terms of that Certificate of Waiver.

Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA)

Applies only to public operators (government entities and organizations). Permits nationwide flights in Class G airspace at or below 400 feet, self-certification of the Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) pilot, and the option to obtain emergency COAs (e-COAs) under special circumstances.

Chart Supplement U.S. (formerly Airport/Facility Directory).

Provides the most comprehensive information on a given airport. Contains information on airports, heliports, and seaplane bases that are open to the public. Published across seven books, and the information in each of these books is updated every couple of months.

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)

Frequency designated for the purpose of carrying out airport advisory practices while operating to or from an airport without an operating control tower.

Control Station (CS)

An interface used by the remote pilot in command or the person manipulating the controls to control the flight path of the Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS). (In basic terms, this is your remote control.)

Corrective Lenses

Spectacles or contact lenses.

Crew Resource Management (CRM).

Art and science of managing all the resources that are available to the Remote Pilot in Command (PIC) prior and during flight, including resources both on board the aircraft and from outside sources.

Error Chain.

When a series of judgmental errors leads to a human factors-related accident

FAA Airman Knowledge Testing Supplement for Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, and Private Pilot (FAA-CT-8080-2G).

Book of figures and charts that is issued during the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test at the computer testing centers and referenced in certain test questions.

FAA Regional Operations Center (ROC).

Network of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Command Control Communication Centers.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

National aviation authority of the United States, with powers to regulate all aspects of civil aviation.

Flight Services Station (FSS)

Air traffic facility that provides information and services to aircraft pilots before, during, and after flights. Unlike Air Traffic Control (ATC), FSS is not responsible for giving instructions or clearances or providing separation, but they do relay ATC clearances.

Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)

Locally affiliated field office of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Instrument Flight Rules (IFR).

When operation of an aircraft under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) is not safe or legal because the visual cues outside the aircraft are obscured by weather or darkness, instrument flight rules must be used instead.

Mean Sea Level (MSL).

True altitude, or the average height above standard sea level where the atmospheric pressure is measured in order to calibrate altitude. Related term: Above Ground Level (AGL)

Model Aircraft.

An Unmanned Aircraft (UA) that is capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere; flown within visual line-of-sight (VLOS) of the person operating the aircraft; and flown for hobby or recreational purposes.

MULTICOM.

Frequency allocation used as a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) by aircraft near airports where no air traffic control is available. In the United States, the frequency is 122.9 MHz. At uncontrolled airports without a UNICOM, pilots are to self-announce on the MULTICOM frequency.

National Airspace System (NAS)

Reaches from the surface to 60,000 feet within the continental United States and its territories.

Notice to Airmen (NOTAM).

Issued when there's aeronautical information that could affect a pilot's decision to make a flight. It includes such information as airport or aerodrome primary runway closures, taxiways, ramps, obstructions, communications, airspace, and changes in the status of navigational aids, to name a few. Time-critical and either of a temporary nature or not sufficiently known in advance to permit publication on aeronautical charts or in other operational publications.

Person Manipulating the Controls

A person other than the Remote Pilot in Command (PIC) who is controlling the flight of an Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) under the supervision of the remote PIC.

Pilot Report (PIREP).

Report of actual weather conditions that the pilot collects mid-flight.

Precipitation Static (P-static)

Form of radio interference caused by rain, snow, or dust particles hitting the antenna and inducing a small radio-frequency voltage into it.

Radio Frequencies (RF)

Any of the electromagnetic wave frequencies in the range from around 3 kHz to 300 GHz, which include those frequencies used for communications or radar signals.

Radar Summary Chart.

Graphically-depicted collection of radar weather reports. Displays areas of precipitation and information regarding the characteristics of the precipitation.

Remote Pilot Certificate

License that allows a person who passed the Aeronautical Knowledge Exam to serve as the Remote Pilot in Command (PIC) for a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS).

Remote Pilot in Command (Remote PIC or Remote Pilot)

A person who holds a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) rating and has the final authority and responsibility for the operation and safety of an sUAS operation conducted under Part 107.

Sectional Chart

Aeronautical chart showing topographical features that are important to aviators, such as terrain elevations, ground features identifiable from altitude and ground features useful to pilots. Also shows information on airspace classes, ground-based navigation aids, radio frequencies, longitude and latitude, navigation waypoints, and navigation routes.

Security Identification Display Areas (SIDA)

Limited access areas within airports that require a person to have a badge

Significant Weather Prognostic Charts.

Best used by a pilot for determining areas to avoid, like freezing levels and turbulence.

Small Unmanned Aircraft (Small UA).

A Unmanned Aircraft (UA) weighing less than 55 pounds, including everything that is onboard or otherwise attached to the aircraft, and can be flown without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.

Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS).

A small Unmanned Aircraft (UA) and its associated elements, including communication links and the components that control the small UA, that are required for the safe and efficient operation of the small UA in the National Airspace System (NAS). To reiterate, the difference between the Small Unmanned Aircraft and the Small Unmanned Aircraft System is simply that the system is the aircraft PLUS all the other equipment and components, such as the remote control / transmitter

Statute Miles (SM)

Legal or formal name for a mile, or 5280 feet.

Significant Meteorological Information (SIGMET)

Weather advisory that contains information about significant weather events like thunderstorms and severe turbulence.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)

Restriction on an area of airspace due to the movement of government VIPs, special events, natural disasters, or other unusual events.

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)

Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF). Weather report established for the five statute mile radius around an airport and usually provided for larger airports. Valid for up to a 30-hour time period and updated four times a day.

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 107 (Part 107)

Lays out the operating and certification requirements to allow Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) to operate for non-hobby and non-recreational purposes.

Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Airman Certification Standards

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) document that communicates the aeronautical knowledge standards for
a Remote Pilot Certificate with an sUAS rating. The FAA views the ACS as the foundation to an integrated and systematic approach to airman certification.

Unmanned Aircraft (UA)

An aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft. The difference between an Unmanned Aircraft and a Small Unmanned Aircraft is that a Small Unmanned Aircraft weighs less than 55 pounds

Visibility.

Greatest horizontal distance at which prominent objects can be viewed with the naked eye.

Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

Set of regulations under which a pilot operates an aircraft in weather conditions generally clear enough to allow the pilot to see where the aircraft is going.

Visual Line-of-Sight (VLOS).

Remote Pilot in Command (PIC) and person manipulating the controls must be able to see the small UA at all times during flight, unless you have a waiver that permits otherwise. Defined as within 1,500 feet of the operator and no more than 400 feet above ground. VLOS must be accomplished and maintained by unaided vision, although eyeglasses and contact lenses are allowed.

Visual Observer (VO).

A person acting as a flightcrew member who assists the Small Unmanned Aircraft (UA) Remote Pilot in Command (PIC) and/or the person manipulating the controls to see and avoid other air traffic or objects aloft or on the ground.

Winds and Temperatures Aloft (FB).

Computer-prepared forecast for specific locations in the contiguous U.S.

Absolute Altitute

the height above ground level (AGL)

True Altitude

the height above mean sea level (MSL)

Density Altitude

how we measure the density of air

Indicated Altitude

the height your altimeter shows you (when you're at sea level under standard conditions, indicated altitude is the same as true altitude)

Higher Density Altitude Occurs at:

Higher elevations
Lower atmospheric pressures
Higher temperatures
Higher humidity

Lower Density Altitude Occurs at:

Lower elevations
Higher atmospheric pressures
Lower temperatures
Lower humidity

Convective Currents

cause that bumpy, turbulent air sometimes experienced when flying at lower altitudes during warmer weather. On a low-altitude flight over different types of surfaces, updrafts are likely to occur over areas like pavement or sand, and downdrafts often occur over water or expansive areas of vegetation like a group of trees.

Wind Shear

Wind shear is a sudden, drastic change in wind speed and/or direction over a relatively small area. Wind shear can occur at all altitudes, in all directions, and it's typically characterized by directional wind changes of 180° and speed changes of 50 knots or more.

Wind Shear is associated with?

passing frontal systems, thunderstorms, and temperature inversions with strong upper level winds (greater than 25 knots).

Microburst

Associated w/ convective precipitation
1 mile horizontally , 1000ft veritically 15minutes
difficult to detect

Stability of atmosphere correlates with?

its ability to resist vertical motion. A stable atmosphere makes vertical movement of air difficult. An unstable atmosphere allows an upward or downward disturbance to grow into a vertical (or convective) current.

Adiabatic heating / Cooling

temperature change, which takes place in all upward and downward moving air

Adiabitic cooling average rate of change

2 degrees C / 1000ft

Conditions of most stable air?

Cool Dry Air, Stratiform Clouds present

Temperature Inversion

Temp of Air rises w/ Altitude,

For every 20F increase in temp? The air can hold how much humididity?

double

Sublimation

Direct change of ice to water vapor.

Relative Humidity

Relative humidity is the actual amount of moisture in the air compared to the total amount of moisture the air could hold at that temperature. For example, if the current relative humidity is 65 percent, the air is holding 65 percent of the total amount of moisture that it is capable of holding at that temperature and pressure

Temperature / Dew Point Relationship

The dew point, given in degrees, is the temperature at which the air can hold no more moisture. As moist, unstable air rises, clouds often form at the altitude where temperature and dew point reach the same value. At this point, the air is completely saturated, and moisture begins to condense out of the air in the form of fog, dew, frost, clouds, rain, hail, or snow.

Calculate Cloud Base

Surface Temp - Dew Point \= Spread/4.4 * 1000

Continental polar air mass

forms over a polar region and brings cool, dry air with it.

Maritime tropical

forms over warm tropical waters and brings warm, moist air with it.

Air Mass passing over Warm Surface

Convective Currents form
Good Visibility
unstable air

Air Mass passing over Cold Surface

No Convective Currents Form
Poor Visibility
Stable Air

Warm Front Characteristics

Moves forward and replaces cold air, warm air rises, temperature drops / condensation occurs. high humidity. Moves slowly 10-25mph

Cold Front Characteristics

A cold front happens when a cold, dense, mass of stable air advances and replaces a body of warmer air. Cold fronts move twice as fast as warm fronts, usually progressing at a rate of 25 to 30 mph. However, extreme cold fronts have been recorded moving at speeds of up to 60 mph.

Thunderstroms form when?

Sufficient Water Vapor
Unstable Laps Rate
Initial Upward Boost (heat)

Thunderstorm Stage 1

Cumulus Stage - lifiting action of air begins - 15 Minutes

Thunderstorm Stage 2

Mature Stage -Rain, down rushing air, increases winds temp decreases

Thunderstrom Stage 3

Dissipating Stage - Anvil Shape, Downdraft spreads and replaces updraft

Thunderstorm operations

Rule of Thumb 20 Nautical Miles

Define Fog

Cloud begins 50ft above surface

Radiation Fog

Low Lying Areas (Mountain Valley)
Ground cools due to terrestrial radiation
Forms clear nights, no wind. burns off with Sun

Advection Fog

Coastal Areas - Sea breezes
Warm Air moves over cold surface, wind is required, can persist for days. Wind less than 15 knots

Upslope fog

moist, stable air is forced up sloping land features like a mountain range. Does not burn off w/ Sun, can persist for days

Steam fog

Forms over bodies of water during cold times. Cold dry air moves over warm water. icing can occur

Ice Fog

Temp below freezing water vapor forms ice crystals

Distance from Clouds Vertically

500ft Ceiling

Distance from Clouds Horizontally

2000ft

Minimum Flight Visiblity

3 Statute Miles

The briefing indicates you can expect a low-level temperature inversion with high relative humidity. What weather conditions would you expect?

Smooth air, poor visibility, fog, haze, or low clouds.

Moisture is added to air by

evaporation and sublimation.