Front Matter

• F FAA-G-8082-22
• U.S. Department of Transportation
• Federal Aviation
• Administration
• Remote Pilot – Small
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• Study Guide
• August 2016 Flight Standards Service Washington, DC 20591

Preface

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published the Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) Study Guide to communicate the knowledge areas you need to study to prepare to take the Remote Pilot Certificate with an sUAS rating airman knowledge test.

This Remote Pilot – Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide is available for download from faa.gov. Please send comments regarding this document to afs630comments@faa.gov.

Table of Contents

Introduction........................................................................................................................... 1

Obtaining Assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) .............................................. 1

FAA Reference Material ...................................................................................................................... 1

• Chapter 1: Applicable Regulations .......................................................................................... 3
• Chapter 2: Airspace Classification, Operating Requirements, and Flight Restrictions .............. 5

Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 5

Controlled Airspace ............................................................................................................................. 5

Uncontrolled Airspace ......................................................................................................................... 6

Special Use Airspace ............................................................................................................................ 6

Other Airspace Areas ........................................................................................................................... 9

Air Traffic Control and the National Airspace System ....................................................................... 12

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Terms & Symbols ....................................................................................... 12

Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) ............................................................................................................ 13

Chapter 3a: Aviation Weather Sources ................................................................................. 15

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 15

Surface Aviation Weather Observations ........................................................................................... 15

Aviation Weather Reports ................................................................................................................. 15

Aviation Forecasts ............................................................................................................................. 18

Convective Significant Meteorological Information (WST) ............................................................... 19

Chapter 3b: Effects of Weather on Small Unmanned Aircraft Performance .......................... 21

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 21

Density Altitude ................................................................................................................................. 21

Performance ...................................................................................................................................... 22

Measurement of Atmosphere Pressure ............................................................................................ 22

Effect of Obstructions on Wind ......................................................................................................... 23

Low-Level Wind Shear ....................................................................................................................... 23

Atmospheric Stability ........................................................................................................................ 24

Temperature/Dew Point Relationship .............................................................................................. 25

Clouds ................................................................................................................................................ 25

Fronts ................................................................................................................................................. 26

Mountain Flying ................................................................................................................................. 26

Structural Icing................................................................................................................................... 26

Thunderstorm Life Cycle.................................................................................................................... 26

Ceiling ................................................................................................................................................ 28

Visibility ............................................................................................................................................. 28

Chapter 4: Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading ....................................................................... 29

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

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

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:

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 tollfree 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.