This study guide is a companion for my video guide. These resources, plus the links I include, should be all you need to pass the test and get your sUAS FAA certification so you can fly drones commercially in the US.
Jacob Lamon was kind enough to save this study guide in a nicely formatted PDF – so you can continue to study on your hand-held device, even if you don’t have WiFi access. Thanks, Jacob!
Numbers
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1. The number of drones you can fly simultaneously.
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400 feet. The maximum height you can fly AGL or above a taller building within a 400-foot radius.
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100 MPH/87 Knots. Fastest you can fly.
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0.55 lbs. The lightest drone that must be registered (must be more than, not equal to, .55 lbs).
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55 lbs. Heaviest legal drone (must be less than, not equal to, 55 lbs).
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0.04. Maximum blood alcohol level.
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8 hours. The time that must pass since you have had alcohol.
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10 days. The maximum time you can take to file an FAA accident report.
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30 days. The time you have to notify the FAA if you move.
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90 days. The lead time required when requesting an FAA waiver.
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1 year. Time that must pass after a final narcotics conviction.
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13 years old. The youngest person who can register a drone.
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24 months. How long this certification is good for.
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30 minutes. The twilight time before sunrise or after sunset when you can still fly.
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3 statute miles. The distance your anti-collision lights must be visible from when flying during twilight. Also the minimum visibility you must have while flying.
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500 feet. Minimum number of feet below a cloud you must fly.
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2,000 feet. Minimum number of feet horizontally from a cloud you must fly.
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$500. The repair cost of accident damage that requires you to report an accident to the FAA
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Level 3. The “serious injury” AIS level that requires you to file an accident report.
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122.9. The MULTICOM frequency for self-announce procedures.
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2000 feet. The distance you should operate from a tower to avoid hitting guy wires.
Facts
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Stalls. Occurs when the wing exceeds its critical angle of attack.
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Center of Gravity (CG) Limits. Supposed to be defined in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook or UAS Flight Manual, but those don’t exist for drones.
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Angle of attack. Determines when the craft stalls. This doesn’t change if the vehicle weight changes.
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Load Factor. Increases during any maneuver.
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Remote PIC. This is the answer to any question about who is responsible.
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Left. Aircraft always turn left when circling a runway, because drivers sit on the left side of the car in the US, and pilots sit on the left of the plane, too. It’s easier for them to look out the left window to see the tower.
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Maintenance schedule. You’re supposed to have one, even though most drones can’t be user-repaired and don’t provide a schedule.
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Risk Management. Helps to prevent an accident chain.
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Personality factors.
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Machismo. Taking risks to impress others
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Impulsivity. Doing something without thinking about it.
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Invulnerability. Thinking accidents won’t happen to you.
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Resignation. What’s the use? They don’t control their destiny.
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Anti-authority. Nobody can tell me what to do.
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Crew Resource Management (CRM). It’s how you manage your “crew” and you should integrate it into all phases of the operation.
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Systematically focus on different segments of the sky for short intervals. That’s how you should scan for traffic–let your eyes rest in different areas for a while, rather than continuously scanning.
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Latitude is like climbing a ladder (north-south)
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Longitude is the long way around the planet (the Earth is fat cuz it spins).
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Standard briefing. Contains the weather forecast.
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CTAF vs UNICOM vs MULTICOM vs AWOS. AWOS is weather. CTAF is for pilots to talk to each other when there’s no tower. UNICOM is a base station that broadcasts to pilots when there’s no tower. MULTICOM is used as the CTAF when there’s no CTAF (122.9 or 122.95).
Weather
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Temperature inversion. Warm air on top of cold air. Fog, haze, low clouds, poor visibility, but smooth air.
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Moist, unstable air. Turbulence (because the air is unstable), showery precipitation.
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Stable air. Smooth air, poor visibility, and steady (not showery) precipitation (because stable air is usually humid).
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Unstable air. Intermittent precipitation.
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Cool + Dry = Stable
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Hot + Humid = Unstable
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High density altitude. Just means “high altitude”. Air is thinner, so lift is decreased.
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Nimbus. Means a rain cloud.
METAR Reports
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18004KT: Wind is 180 degrees at 4 knots. The first three digits (180) are the compass heading (180). The last two #s are the wind speed (04).
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Compass headings are always relative to true North in print, not magnetic North. If it’s in print, it must be true.
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OVC007: Sky is overcast at 700 feet. Remember, #s are always in hundreds.
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1 1/2SM: Visibility is 1 ½ statute miles (SM).
METAR Weather Abbreviations
You don’t need to memorize these, just be able to recognize them and match them to an answer. The test will probably only use the common abbreviations.
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BLPY Blowing spray
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BR Mist
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DS Dust Storm
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DU Widespread Dust
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DZ Drizzle
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FC Funnel Cloud
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+FC Tornado/Water Spout
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FG Fog
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FU Smoke
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GR Hail
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GS Small Hail/Snow Pellets
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HZ Haze
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IC Ice Crystals
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PL Ice Pellets
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PO Dust/Sand Whirls
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RA Rain
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SA Sand
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SG Snow Grains
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SN Snow
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SQ Squall
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SS Sandstorm
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UP Unknown Precipitation
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VA Volcanic Ash
CHARTS
They give you this supplement to use during the test. It has answers to most of the test questions, so don’t sweat it too much.
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CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) is marked with a C.
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AWOS is for the weather.
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Red flags mark VFR checkpoints which mean more planes might be there.
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Tick marks. Measure minutes between latitude and longitude degrees. Each tick is one minute. Bigger ticks mark 5 minutes.
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Charts include measurements AGL, not MSL.
Controlled Airspace
Class B is the most restricted, class E is the least restricted. Must get ATC (Air Traffic Control) authorization for class B, C, and D.
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Class A. From 18,000 feet to 60,000 feet, all over the US.
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Class B. Surrounding major airports, 0-10,000 feet. Consists of multiple layers, like an upside-down wedding cake.
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Class C. Surrounding airports with a control tower, radar, and over a specific amount of traffic. Usually 5 NM (nautical mile) radius from 0-4,000 feet, and a 10 NM radius from 1,200-4,000 feet.
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Class D. Surrounding airports with a control tower. 0-2,500 feet, no specific radius, just shaped around flight patterns. Outside control tower hours, Class D airspace is Class G.
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Class E. Usually it starts at 1,200 feet and goes up to 18,000 feet.
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Class G. Uncontrolled airspace (below class E airspace).
Special Use Airspace
Airspace with various restrictions.
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Prohibited Areas (P-###). Places like Camp David and the White House.
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Restricted Areas (R-###). It’s not prohibited, but if you fly here, it could be dangerous. The government might be testing artillery or missiles or UFOs.
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Warning Areas (W-###). Domestic and international waters, from NM outward from the US coast. It’s cool to fly there it’s just not really managed by the US.
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Military Operations Areas (MOAs). MOAs consist of airspace with defined limits established for the purpose of separating certain military training activities from IFR traffic. Whenever an MOA is being used, nonparticipating IFR traffic may be cleared through an MOA if IFR separation can be provided by ATC. Otherwise, ATC reroutes or restricts nonparticipating IFR traffic. Will often consist of multiple Restricted Areas (R-###). An example of this is Chocolate Mountain Impact Area (R-2507) and Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range (R-2507), which we drove through in California.
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Alert Areas. Depicted on aeronautical charts with an “A” followed by a number (e.g., A-211) to inform nonparticipating pilots of areas that may contain a high volume of pilot training or an unusual type of aerial activity. Think skydiving training facility.
Chart-Reading Tips
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Numbers (like 41/12) are written in 100s of feet above sea level (MSL). So, 41/12 means 4100 ft, 1200 ft. SFC = Surface
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Helpful video: Airspace visualizations
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Helpful video: Reading FAA charts
TAF & METAR Decoding
Acronyms
This is just for reference while you’re studying, you don’t need to memorize these.
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AC: Advisory Circulars
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ADM: Aeronautical Decision Making
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AFM: Aircraft Flight Manual
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AGL: Above Ground Level
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AIM: Aeronautical Information Manual
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AIS: Abbreviated Injury Scale
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ASL: Above Sea Level
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ASOS: Automated Surface Observing System (monitors the weather)
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ATC: Air Traffic Control
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ATCT: Air Traffic Control Tower
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ATIS: Automatic Terminal Information System (a loop of useful information broadcast over the radio near an airport)
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AWC: Aviation Weather Center
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AWOS: Automated Weather Observing System
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CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
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CG: Center of Gravity
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CoW: Certificate of Waiver
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CRM: Crew Resource Management
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CS: Control Station (your remote control)
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CTAF: Common Traffic Advisory Frequency
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FAA: Federal Aviation Administration
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FDC: Flight Data Center
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FLIP: Department of Defense Flight Information Publication
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FL: Flight Level
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FSS: Flight Service Station. Provides pilot briefings, enroute communications, search-and-rescue services, help lost aircraft, etc.
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FTP: Flight Termination Point
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IFR: Instrument Flight Rules
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ILS: Instrument Landing System
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LOA: Letter of Agreement
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METAR: Aviation Routine Weather Reports
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MOA: Military Operations Area
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MSL: Mean Sea Level
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MTR: Military Training Routes
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MULTICOM: Not an acronym, just the radio frequency (122.9) we use to announce aircraft when there’s no ATC.
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NAS: National Airspace System
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NM: Nautical Miles
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NOTAM: Notice to Airman
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NTAP: Notice to Airman Publication
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NTSB: National Transportation Safety Board
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NWS: National Weather Service
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OVC: Overcast (from METAR)
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PIC: Pilot In Control. You, flying the drone.
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POH: Pilot Operating Handbook
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RA: Rain
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SFC: Surface
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SIDA: Secure Identification Display Area. The part of the airport where you need to be wearing a badge.
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SM: Statute Miles
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SMS: Safety Management System
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sUAS: Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (aka., drone, UA, UAS)
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TAF: Terminal Aerodrome Forecast
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TFR: Temporary Flight Restriction
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UA: Unmanned Aircraft (aka., drone, sUAS, UAS)
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UAS: Unmanned Aircraft System (aka., drone, sUAS, UA)
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UNICOM: Not an acronym: Universal Communications. A radio broadcast that tells you about non-flight services, such as fuel, taxis, and car rentals.
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VFR: Visual Flight Rules
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VLOS: Visual Line-of-Sight
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VO: Visual Observer
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VOR: Very High Frequency Omnidirectional Range. They’re navigation beacons.
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VR: Visual Flight Rules Military Training Routes
Free Practice Tests
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3DR’s excellent sample test. This test has great explanations for the official FAA sample test.
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Rupprecht Law’s sample test. Also includes detailed explanations.
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Part107.org sample test. Yet another take on the official FAA questions.
Taking the Test
When you’re ready to take the test, call the test coordinator, not the testing center. The FAA lists two services. I used CATS:
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Computer Assisted Testing Service (CATS): 1-800-947-4228
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PSI / LaserGrade Computer Testing: 1-800-211-2753
Here’s the official list of testing centers.
When you call them, the process is:
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You give your name, birth date, birth location, address, etc.
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You tell them when and where you want to take the test.
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They call the testing center, which is probably some small office located next to a small airport. They need to talk to the actual proctor who administers the test, so if they’re on vacation, you can’t schedule your test. I called twice to schedule a test at my closest testing center, but the proctor wasn’t personally available either time, so I gave up and scheduled my test further away at a center where the proctor actually answered the phone.
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They charge your credit card $150.
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They confirm your testing time and send you an email with the testing location and details.
You’ll get about 60 questions on your test. My test had 64, but it’s possible that 4 of those questions were ungraded questions that were added to my test to see if they were meaningful questions.
You need 70% to pass, so you can miss about 18 questions and still pass. All questions are multiple choice with three options (A, B, C) so even if you have to guess, you have a 33% chance of getting it correct.
Therefore, statistically, you can probably still pass if you have to guess on 27/60 questions.
However, of the three possible answers, one of them can almost always be quickly eliminated as a possible option because the answer is just stupid. Therefore, if you are unsure about a question, use logic to eliminate one of the answers, and give yourself a 50/50 chance of guessing correctly. If you can do that, you can guess at 36/60 questions and still pass.
So, you only need to be confident about 40% of the questions, and 40% of the questions are definitely really, really easy. Indeed, ~88% of testers pass, and this was the easiest certification test I’ve ever taken.
I recommend showing up to the test 30 minutes early and reviewing your notes, so the information is fresh in your mind.
Lock your phone in your car, because you can’t bring electronics into the test. Use the restroom before you go into the test, because they don’t want you to leave.
You need to bring:
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A valid photo ID (like your driver’s license)
That’s it. The FAA tells you to bring a simple four-function calculator, but my proctor offered to loan me a calculator, and my test didn’t have any questions that required any math. So you probably don’t need to bring the calculator.
You’ll take the test in a private room sitting on an outdated computer with a dirty mouse and keyboard and a webcam pointed at you, recording everything you do. There might be other people taking tests at the same time.
Some testing tips:
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You have two hours. That’s 2 minutes per question. It only took me about 45 minutes.
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You can increase the font size in the testing software.
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You can go back and change the answer to any question, until you choose to finish your test.
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If you’re unsure about any question, take your best guess, and then click the Mark button. Marked questions show up in the index with a question mark.
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Before you submit your final test, carefully review all your marked questions. Use the process of elimination to reduce the possible answers.
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When you submit your test, you’ll see your score immediately. You’ll almost certainly pass it, because you’re reading this study guide, which means you’re taking it seriously and preparing… and the test is really easy.
They’ll give you some stuff to take into the test with you:
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A pencil
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A bunch of blank paper
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This booklet (don’t write in it)
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Maybe a calculator if they want to loan one to you, but they’re not required to do this
After You’ve Passed
The proctor will print out a sheet of paper with an official stamp that includes your test score, a list of the questions you missed, and a test ID. When you get back to your smartphone, take a picture of this paper, because it has the Exam ID you need and you don’t want to lose it.
YOU’RE NOT YET CERTIFIED. This is the government, so you have more paperwork to do. You need to:
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Create an FAA account.
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Submit an application that includes your Exam ID.
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Wait 7 days for the FAA to email you a temporary certificate. You can now fly with that temporary certificate.
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Wait longer for the TSA to do a background check on you and mail you your official certificate.
Wait 48 hours for the FAA to receive your test results, because even computer test results travel slower than snail mail. Don’t wait more than 10 days, however, or your test results will expire.
So, 2-10 days after you pass your test, visit http://iacra.faa.gov. Click the Register link and setup an account for yourself.
Click the Start New Application button, and fill in all the info.
The form has a pretty weird user interface… at the bottom there are three buttons, and you’ll need to agree to terms and review a privacy agreement before you can review your application. After you review it, you need to officially submit it. It would be easy to think you were done submitting the form without actually submitting it, so be sure you actually submit it.
When you’re done, your FAA Applicant Console should look like this:
YOU’RE NOT YET CERTIFIED. You can’t legally fly commercially until they email you a temporary certificate.
What if you Fail
Before you leave the testing center, you can take a few minutes to review the questions you got wrong… not the answers, but the questions. Do that so you know what to study up on.
The testing center also gives you a paper listing every question you got wrong. The codes look like PLT124, PLT161, PLT173. You can look up what the codes mean here and link to the official FAA documentation for every question, which should have the answers you’re looking for (and WAY more). They don’t give you the actual question, but just the area of knowledge.
You can take the test in another two weeks… you’ll have to pay the $150 fee again, however.
One More Thing…
We’re giving away this study guide and video training material, but it definitely wasn’t free for us to make. To help us out, you could:
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Visit that link and click Subscribe. It’s free, and we bring you several new drone & photography videos every week.
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Watch our free drone videos. We teach you how to safely fly a drone, how to use cool 3D mapping software, and give you drone reviews to pick the best UAS.
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Check out our photography & post-processing video books (at Amazon or our store). They’re $10, and watching/reading them will do WAY more to improve your aerial imagery than any hardware upgrade.
And please share this with your friends! Good luck!
Excellent stuff Tony – thanks for pulling all this together.
Excellent stuff indeed. Thank You!
Under the CHARTS section, Tony is saying: “They give you this supplement to use during the test. It has answers to most of the test questions, so don’t sweat it too much.” The words “this supplement” has a broken hyperlink. Can anyone provide a valid link. Thanks!
https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/supplements/media/sport_rec_private_akts.pdf
Love the info but I watched a video tutorial on the dji phantom 4 pro and you offered a site to download a label template for the drone with my info and reward and I can’t find it. Can you help? Thanks
https://reclaimdrone.com/shop/?src=sldrhad
Hi Tony,
After 2 years, how do you get recertified? Is it another test, another fee or both?
Thank you,
Ken
Hi, Ken. From what I understand, it’s similar to most other FAA certifications – every two years, you have to go through the entire testing/certification process again. Yes, it costs another $150. It is a bit of a hassle, but is definitely worth it if you’re flying drones commercially, IMO.
Actually, the only FAA certificate that expires (other than the sUAV Certificate) is a Flight Instructor Certificate which also expires every two years. To renew the CFI Certificate you must pass a knowledge test but no actual flying is involved. The Certificates that expire are Medical Certificates which are different from FAA Certificates and which expire at different lengths of time base on the Class of Medical Certificate. You might be thinking of the flight review requirement which must take place every two years in order to remain current and therefore eligible to fly.
Per 14 CFR Part 107 it seems that there is (will be) a recurrent knowledge test, of less information than the initial one. I’m willing to bet that the testing contractors charge $150, no matter what test, though.
§107.65 Aeronautical knowledge recency.
A person may not operate a small unmanned aircraft system unless that person has completed one of the following, within the previous 24 calendar months:
(a) Passed an initial aeronautical knowledge test covering the areas of knowledge specified in §107.73(a);
(b) Passed a recurrent aeronautical knowledge test covering the areas of knowledge specified in §107.73(b); or
(c) If a person holds a pilot certificate (other than a student pilot certificate) issued under part 61 of this chapter and meets the flight review requirements specified in §§61.56, passed either an initial or recurrent training course covering the areas of knowledge specified in §107.74(a) or (b) in a manner acceptable to the Administrator.
§107.73 Initial and recurrent knowledge tests.
(a) An initial aeronautical knowledge test covers the following areas of knowledge:
(1) Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation;
(2) Airspace classification, operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation;
(3) Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance;
(4) Small unmanned aircraft loading;
(5) Emergency procedures;
(6) Crew resource management;
(7) Radio communication procedures;
(8) Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft;
(9) Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol;
(10) Aeronautical decision-making and judgment;
(11) Airport operations; and
(12) Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures.
(b) A recurrent aeronautical knowledge test covers the following areas of knowledge:
(1) Applicable regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation;
(2) Airspace classification and operating requirements and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation;
(3) Emergency procedures;
(4) Crew resource management;
(5) Aeronautical decision-making and judgment;
(6) Airport operations; and
(7) Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures.
thanks for putting this together! Yes, I will subscribe to your YouTube Channel
Thank you for this video and study guide. It was a fantastic resource!! I just passed my 107 and I couldn’t have done it without this video. Thanks again!
did you use any other material or was the vid the only content you studied (with the content on this page of course)?
Thanks for this great guide. Is this a typo? It seems like most values on the chart are in MSL.
“Charts include measurements AGL, not MSL.”
Charts show MSL, as most pilots have no way on knowing their AGL altitude (by radar altitude). Even Class C and D, which have 4,000′ and 2.500′ ceilings are charted in MSL. For example, the Class C at RNO is charted as 84/SFC with an 84/72 shelf. Obstructions that stick up from the ground, such at towers, have primary elevations in MSL, but may have AGL in parenthesis.
Hey Tony, So the question is the last bullet in the “CHARTS” section says “Charts include measurements AGL, not MSL.” I understand your explanation here, but that particular bullet seems misleading. Especially when later under “Chart-Reading Tips” the first bullet is: “Numbers (like 41/12) are written in 100s of feet above sea level (MSL).” I believe this is Justin’s concern.
Thanks Tony, I am a licensed Private Instrument Rated Pilot. Your youtube presentation was well done.
It turned out to be a great review. In the actual flying experience I use an app called foreflight. This program converts all weather into straight forward language that has made me lazy, great review.
I was surprised at the thumbs down reviews. You really made a confusing subject seem easy. Perhaps those who gave you a thumbs down should watch it again and rewatch it until it becomes clear.
Well done!!
Tony, just wanted to take a moment to thank you for this study guide!
I don’t normally comment on things on Youtube or the Internet, but this study guide and video was SO useful and well organized it made passing the Part 107 easy for me. Took my test last week and passed with a 90% using only this study guide and a few other free resources.
I very much appreciate it – Thank you!
TONY! Thank you SO much! Because of you and your videos I PASSED my exam today with flying colors! (if you pardon the pun). You broke this down in an easy to digest and understand way. I completed the test in less than 40 minutes and went back and double checked my answers for an additional help an hour just to be sure. I didn’t get 100% because there was a lot of stuff on there that I have not seen on any of the practice tests but the stuff that you covered I got all right. So Thank you again! Sincerely.
Thanks sir. Such clarity and depth of info. A wonderful resource for sure. Many will benefit from this body of work. An honor to be your wingman. Sincerely.
Hi Tony
Great review, but you need to clarify why longitude lines are long. They run north and south and they are all 12,000 miles long. lattitude lines are circles that start at 24,000 miles at equator but get smaller and smaller as you go north and south. At the poles, they can be the same size as a bike tube. Nothing to do with earth spinning. Pat
Longitude lines are longer due to the centrifical force of the earth’s rotation on its axis
I hate the longitudes are ‘long’ trick. It is confusing and technically could be correct or incorrect depending on how you look at it.
Hi There,
In the video, there was one question where you mention that you can eliminate an answer, because the “Weight and Balance Handbook” doesn’t exist. Though it may not necessarily be updated for drones, it does exist. Here is the link:
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/FAA-H-8083-1.pdf
Great study guide you have put together here. Feeling pretty confident in taking the test after watching your video. Thanks!
Cheers,
B
How much time do you recommend putting into studying?
I studied for about two weeks. Watch several videos on METARS, TAFs and sectionals and used this really good prep exam app called UAS107. Passed the exam on my 1st try and my cost was only $155 ($150 for the exam, $5 for the app.
App URL: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uas107.openrobotix.labs&hl=en
Nice article. I did use something like this when I pass the part 107 exam a few months ago. However, most of my study approx. 90% involves a combination of YouTube videos on METARS, TAFS and sectionals with an excellent mobile app called UAS107. My total cost to pass the exam was $155 ($150 for the exam fee and $5 for the app). Pass the exam on my 1st try.
App link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uas107.openrobotix.labs&hl=en
This was excellent and so helpful. One question under weather.
You state dry + cool = stable and yet above it you state.
Stable air. Smooth air, poor visibility, and steady (not showery) precipitation (because stable air is usually humid).
They seem to contradict each other unless I’m missing something.
If you read the FAA explanation, dust and crap can be trapped a the surface causing a loss of visibility, and, a platform for moisture top condensate upon… – It got me too, until I looked up why.
Cheers
Thanks Tony! I watched the video twice, and took the sample test you linked to, and passed first time. This was really helpful.
Question: My certificate # is pending. i am filling out a Waiver/ Airspace Autho. form and they ask for my drone registration #. I have it registered recreationally. Should i register it commercially even though i do bot have my cert. # yet? can I also move forward with the waiver form to speed up my approval to fly stress free so i can $$ for my biz w/o having to wait months?
Tony – thanks very much for this resource – it’s invaluable! One thing I’d like to point out about the three testing links…I encountered a “difference of opinion” for lack of a better way to put it on one or two answers between the sites. Not a big deal…I still know what the correct answer is. But just tester-beware so you don’t get frustrated.
Has anyone taken the test and seen any ADM or pilot stress questions that do not mention any of the 5 personality traits or antidotes?
Did anyone have a question about how long a mixed drink takes to exit the human body? Answer being 3 hours
I take my test this Friday, and Tony is an excellent instructor. Other resources I used were the free 3DR practice test which is 130~ questions in 10-question mini tests, and groundschool practice tests.
I haven’t paid a dime, Tony and the resources he provided have been enough for me.
I will post my outcome if the test on here and tell my story if permitted and within ethical boundaries
There was one question that Tony never answered in his video. I think the following was it….
“Safety is an important element for a remote pilot to consider prior to operating an unmanned aircraft system. To prevent the final “link” in the accident chain, a remote pilot must consider which methodology?
Tony never answers it but I think is “Risk Management” anyone else concur?
Yes, the methodology to prevent the final “link” is “Risk Management.”
Taking my test today! Watched your video plus read through this to review. As well as a lot of practice tests. Your video helped so much! Thanks!
Hi,
In regards to…
“Resignation. What’s the use? They don’t control their destiny.”
Is this in regards to the question?
Q “What is the antidote when a pilot has a hazardous attitude, such as Resignation?”
If so the answer should be as follows.
A. I am not helpless
Cheers
Great Class thank you very much at lease this help to have and idea about the test
In your weather section above it states “Stable air. Smooth air, poor visibility, and steady (not showery) precipitation (because stable air is usually humid).” Just after that is states, “Cool + Dry = Stable
Hot + Humid = Unstable”. This seems like a contradiction. Am I reading it correctly?
Thanks so much for this information. I reformatted some of the information in your study guide so that I could print it out to help me study and remember before my exam. It prints onto 5 pages and is easy to fold and keep handy to cram right before the exam. I thought some others here might like to be able to just print out an offline copy here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E13cvBfmH6d1JM966y8wTxvvDzzdSVHQlW70Ig9-quI/edit?usp=sharing
Thanks for the information
Thank you John, you put together a great study guide and saved me a ton of cut-and-paste.
wow! beautiful job, John! Thank you, and thanks, Tony for the great material.
Thanks, John! Great work!
Thank you so much! Much easier to read than my copy and pasting.
Hey Tony,
Thanks for the info and site. I just did my test here in San Diego last Friday and passed. I did the IACRA application today (8/7/17), and I was able to download a PDF of the Temporary Airman Certificate immediately from the site. I did not have to wait for an email. Maybe the FAA updated their process and made things more efficient?
I also have prior Military service and have had a Student Pilot license for several years now. Not sure if that impacted things or not.
I also selected the “DO NOT USE” when prompted for my SSN. It’s nice that was an option. I hate that thing being used for everything under the sun.
Hey Tony ,
Thanks for the amazing video ‼️
Just one question, how do you get the TSA SECURITY check ?
Thanks
Passed the test!
The part 107 test includes the security check
I watched your video many times
Again thank you !!!?
One of the most useful videos on this topic. Thank you very much Tony!
Do you have a practice test?
Ahaa, its pleasant conversation about this paragraph here at
this blog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.
Thank you! I scored a 93% after watching your video several times and reading your information. The test almost seemed too easy. 🙂 Thank you again!
A very impressive and very clear presentation of some pretty confusing information. I watched it twice and did the practice tests a couple of times and passed about 2 hours ago. Didn’t get 100%, but was well within the threshold. I’ll be sure to keep watching this channel and give Tony my business when I can.
Tony,
Thank you sir! With your video, study guide and additional resources on this page, I was able to pass the Part 107 test. (51 of 60 correct 85%).
Honestly, feel like I learned a lot of practical information that will be useful as a commercial sUAS pilot. There are some erroneous learning objectives that I don’t think are practical to real world, but gives opportunity to demonstrate learning ability.
Thank you again!
Thank you Tony, i also enjoyed your Youtube video on this subject
Tony,
Great video and study guide!! Thank you for putting this together 🙂
Tony,
Great tutorial!. One question that I need to clarify is How do you know the correct use of AGL and MSL ? – when you are answering a chart question on a particular area? Do you have information that further explains this.
Thanks
Charles
Tony,
Thank you so much for taking the time to walk us through the material. I’ve been tuned into your channel for a while but I keep coming across new and impressive things. Keep up the good work…now I just have to schedule the test and pass!
Thank you for putting making your skills and knowledge available to anyone interested in learning about photography and getting drone certification. Your website is a great tool! I plan on starting a commercial drone business very soon and have begun my learning and training by utilizing the tools and resources you have provided on your website. Much credit to you and thank you! Happy New Year and much continued success in all you do!
Tony,
I want to thank you for taking the time to create this website. I took my test on Dec. 29th 2017 and I passed!!! HURRAY!!!! lol……I really appreciate you and I’m very grateful! Thanks again and I plan on referring some of my friends to your material when they are ready to obtain their Part 107
Just Passed. Thanks Tony. 93%
Hey kids… my test was HEAVY on center of gravity and loading cargo/payload on the UAV. Don’t dismiss that info.
I’ve learn some just right stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much attempt you set to create this type of great informative web site.
This study guide, and video was exactly what I needed before going into the test. I passed with a 95. Thank you for creating this. I took an online course, but this guide was a perfect cram tool. I am a huge fan you you and Chelsea, and will now be focusing on my photography skills. With some help from your books of course. Thanks again
I appreciate you dropping all this “Knowledge Gold” here as I want to get my 107 ASAP! I fly a Phantom 4 and want to get more into commercial and travel shoots professionally.
I am an Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor and am currently teaching FAA Part 107 as a volunteer Instructor at a local Fire Department. I reviewed your materials initially to see if there were any errors before recommending the site to my students. I must commend you on the thoroughness of you presentation and how you simplify the materials. My students all have your site in their syllabus now. You have taught me how to simplify things. Thanks.
I really want to thank you for making this video , all I did was watch it several times took several practice tests for two weeks and I got a 83% with four hours sleep the night before no breakfast and I had to use the bathroom during the test so I took 45 min to complete the test and passed .. unbelievable
Tony thank you very much for putting together this video it took you a long time I’m sure. with your video and the 3D test questions I passed. thanks again , excellent video , I sent the link of your website to a lot of people I know that are getting into this. Thanks again Jerry
PASSED with 80% the UAG (part 107 exam)!
Many thanks to Tony and his resources here! Study hard all that’s offered here and the 130 practice Q’s from 3DR’s sample test… you’ll pass too!
Ok, remember I’m new to reading charts…. I can’t find what this Sectional Chart outline represents in my fly area; anyone know this, please help?
Rectangular Blue line with dots all around the inner part of the blue line.
View this on Chart here – https://skyvector.com/?ll=33.5713299318418,-111.915790947941&chart=25&zoom=
Thank you!
Hey “Skyhawk”, I don’t see that anyone else replied to your question about the blue line with the dots. You did not narrow down an exact area so I am just peculating that I found the section that you are referring to. However…I believe what you are talking about is the “Boundary of National Park Areas”. You can find it explained along the left side of the chart. It is a little more than 1/2 way down. About two paragraphs below the bar-codes.
hmm, that should say “speculating” not “peculating” 🙂
Many thanks to Tony and those who commented here, sharing their questions, suggestions, links to apps, to John for sharing his Google Doc link, etc.
Just passed with an 85 using nothing but your video, this study guide and the 130 question practice test! Thank you!!
Great training, Tony. You are an excellent instructor. I felt like I was downloading right into my brain. The humor helps! Can’t wait to celebrate getting my license with your awesome help.
I echo the great training comment. When taking the test I found that almost none of the questions in the practice test were the same, but as long as you can understand the maps there was little problem. I am the first in my company to do the 107, but I will be directing those who follow to this site. Thank you for your time and effort to make this training available.
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Tony, I have concern over a few portions of the video. At approximately 1:01 where the question is asked about where the aircraft to be in relation to the runway, isn’t the answer C) The aircraft is West. If the aircraft is downwind and left of RWY13? Also at around 1:24 in the video where you talk about Density Altitude, there is a question about effect of high density altitude on a drone propeller. Isn’t the answer A)? The propeller efficiency is increased? Higher Density should increase the efficiency right? You said decrease. Please let me know if I am wrong so I can understand this properly. Also, thank you very much for putting the video together.
So, landing on 13 (upwind landing) is at 130° (southeast). The downwind leg is going the opposite direction – 310° (northwest) and left pattern is counterclockwise (think NASCAR, if you will). So, at midfield in that downwind leg, you are to the northeast of the runway. Northeast isn’t an answer, but south and west are definitely not right.
Oh, and so when density altitude is discussed, remember that “higher” or “greater” density altitude is the equivalent of higher altitude. The higher the altitude, the less air density and the less air molecules for the wing to compress to create lift. Thus, the higher the altitude (or higher density altitude) the less lift. Side note, density altitude isn’t just air pressure, but includes humidity – the more water molecules in the air, the less compression possible, the higher the density altitude, the less the lift. What they want pilots to understand is that, although you are taking off/landing at the same place is yesterday, the conditions (barometric pressure and humidity) may result in different lift, different weight capabilities and such. A manned aircraft may even be unable to safely take off or land, due to this. A drone, not so much so, but the FAA thinks you need to know pilot stuff, to fly a drone.
Thanks this helped a lot, passed with an 87%. To people yet to take test: don’t bank on there being a lot of map questions/coordinates etc. It was definitely not the case for me. Lots of trick questions w/ multiple “correct” answers. I feel like the test bank algorithm can really put any amount of any type of subject on the test, so study a lot, and hope you get a decent test 😛
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Hey Tony! Thanks for putting this training program together. I’ve been following your Youtube Channel for a while now and Chelsea and you do an amazing job keeping us educated. I’m a private pilot however I have not flown in a long time (married…kids, etc). I recently decided to step up and get my drone certification. Among other study material I opted to watch your video. It was great. I feel you covered the information in a layman’s terms. There were a couple items that I would like to point out.
1) I cannot recall the exact wording but in regards to identifying where the airplane would be relative to the airport if they were left midfield (or something like that). I don’t believe they were referring to the airplane being to the left of the airport or the airport being on his left (although it would be) of the plane. In pilot lingo when you are flying a “standard traffic pattern” around an airport you flying counter-clockwise and are making left turns. If it is a non-standard pattern it might be making right turns (or sometimes a custom pattern for some reasons such as noise abatement.
2) This one got a chuckle out of me. When you were talking about ATIS (Automated Terminal Information System), you shrugged it off and mad a comment about getting information on rental cars…. This is actually a system computerized voice or a recording that gives you useful information about the airport such as wind speed and direction, active runway, altimeter setting. etc)
Regardless…the video was awesome. After 20 years of NOT flying…your video gave me enough of a refresher that I am 100% confident I could walk into a testing center tomorrow and pass the drone exam.
Keep up the great training!
– Scott
Really appreciate you sharing this article.Really thank you!
I can’t believe how great this site is. You keep up the good work. That’s my advice pal.
So, thanks in part to your video and this page, I took the test in 35 minutes and got 95%. It’s not necessarily difficult, folks. Study and understand charts, airspace classes and the markings of such and the altitudes. Thank you, Tony.
Check here: http://bit.ly/2LEexP9
THANK YOU for all the information and study guides! I just passed with a 90% and registered for the certificate. If you had not described the process after passing the test, I may have never known all the things I needed to do. The FAA should pay you for your service. I hope watching through your video so many times helps you out, because you certainly helped me!!! Thanks again!
Thanks for the great training. I just finished my test. I scored 90%. I am 72 so I am a little slow and took 45 minutes. I appreciate all you do for the community.
Your presentation and attached resources became the hub of my study for the exam. 93%, Take 1. Thanks for your perspectives throughout the presentation.
Great work, it got me through my test with a 90%
There is a lot of hard wrk that has been pt in documenting the certification process. Thanks for a great job. It indeed helps!
Hi Thank You so much for all helpful information and hope to get back to taking pictures so day. Have a nice day.
Tony, great study guide.this is the best gift to a 57 year old guy who hasn’t studied since really my college days.this was easy to follow and learn from. I just want you to know your study guide and your knowledge of this test is appreciated along with the time you must of put into this i personally would like to say thank you for giving of yourself to us .im hoping to take the test soon.thanks again ,now im confident i will pass the test..
Tony, I took my 107 test yesterday and PASSED. I mage 80%. Thanks for putting your study guide online. Also the other videos and supplements you posted were most helpful. I also used the “Remote Pilot” app. all helped.
Got a question. They gave me a printout with a list of “Statement Codes” for the questions I missed. I can’t figure out what to do with this. I went to the website they listed but it shows the same codes but no questions I can match them up with. Can you help me?
thanks for the great job in putting together this study guide – I used it as a refresher to prepare for recertification – it was a great help – in the version o my test they had some cloud questions, questions asking about airspace for small airports (where the ceiling and ground level #’s are not as obvious) a lot of CRM and PIC questions –
What a great resource and study guide! Just awesome as usually Tony. FYI, The link your referenced in this is now broken. Part107.org sample test. Yet another take on the official FAA questions.
Hello Tony,
I wanted to let you know that I passed the test for the 107 just by watching your video. Thank you very much for putting this out there.
Don Haley
Passed with a score of 92 after studying for 4 days (mainly from this site.
Can’t recommend it enough as I’d say 85% of the questions on my test asked about information I learned from here. The rest were common sense and a few I had to figure out on my own.
Good luck!
Thanks Tony – This is great. Wry, well delivered and fun. I watched it twice! I never watch anything twice.
I passed with an 87% after following your cram sheet and spending the necessary time on trouble areas like weather systems and airport traffic patterns. The questions on the test are strange, designed to trick you, but as you are quick to point out – if you are stumped – use common sense and eliminate the obvious wrong answers. And mark answers you dont know as you take down the ones you do know.
Watched all the videos once through, took all the practice tests, downloaded the sectional chart for my area (Los Angeles), started this on a Tuesday after work. Registered to take the test on the following Saturday, took me a little under an hour. Passed with an 88%.
Thank you Tony, I took my test yesterday and passed!!
Under your facts Section you say aircraft always circle left above a runway that is untrue. Many controlled and uncontrolled airports use both left and right patterns. If your talking about circles above the pattern , or above the controlled airspace you could have someone flying from the right seat e.g. flight instructor.
Subscribed. Thank you very much. I appreciate your time spent on this content. Well done.
Thank you so much for this guid and all of your videos. I am starting a drone business and your videos have been very useful in some of my plans and directions that i will go with it. I will definitely be checking out your other e books and video. You have a great delivery on camera. I have not looked at your bio but you would be a great educator, well really you are already. I live in MA so some of the maps and thing you talk about are relative. Thanks again
Hi Tony,
I can’t thank you enough for this comprehensive and understandable drone test tutorial. Just passed the Drone licensing exam on Thursday using only your guides. My head would have been swimming without the video and guide. I will highly recommend this and your other tutorials to my photography colleagues.
A small tip to other test takers – my test was heavy on sectional charts.
Best,
Suzanne
With respect to your explanation of the “red flag”, you are incorrect. They are NOT beacons. They are visual references like a power station for example that VFR aircraft report crossing when required by ATC or on UNICOM or CTAF.
Not all that important for your purposes of symbol ID, but necessary for being precise with the instruction.
(ATP pilot with 14000+ hours)