Mr. Mig's Classroom: FAA Part 107 Exam - Weather Section (Part 2)

Introduction

• Continuation of the FAA Part 107 Exam weather section.
• Suggested to watch Part 1 before this session.
• Focus on weather-related regulations for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

Visibility and Clouds

• FAA Requirements:
  • 2000 feet horizontally away from a cloud.
  • 500 feet vertically below a cloud.
• Explanation:
  • Important for pilots in mountainous areas; ensures safety against unseen aircraft in clouds.
  • If clouds are above 500 feet from the ground, flying is permissible.
• Local Visibility:
  • Check visibility by identifying known points three statute miles away.

Cloud Types

• Categories: Low, Middle, High clouds.
  • Low Clouds: Up to 6,500 feet.
  • Middle Clouds: 6,500 to 23,000 feet.
  • High Clouds: Above 23,000 feet.
• Types:
  • Cumulonimbus: Thunderstorm clouds, mature stage.
  • Cumulus: Possible start of thunderstorms.
  • Nimbostratus: Steady rain, stable air.

Cloud Characteristics

• Stratus Clouds: Stable air, low thin, flat.
• Cumulus Clouds: Unstable air, vertical currents.
• Cumulonimbus: Thunderstorms, strong winds, rain, possible hail.

Flying Conditions

• Minimum Visibility for UAS: 3 miles.
• Ceiling and SUA Operation:
  • Must be 500 feet below the lowest cloud.
• Thunderstorm Formation:
  • Requires high humidity, lifting force, and unstable conditions.

Icing and Fog

• Structural Icing:
  • Occurs when super-cooled droplets contact below-freezing aircraft surfaces.
  • Effects: Decrease in lift/thrust, increase in drag.
• Dew Point:
  • Temperature air must reach to be saturated.
  • When dew point and temperature converge, fog forms.

Fog Types

• Radiation Fog: Forms in warm, moist air over low flat areas on clear, calm nights.
• Advection Fog: Forms when warm air moves over cooler ground/water.
• Upslope Fog: Occurs in mountainous areas.
• Precipitation-Induced Fog: Associated with frontal activity.
• Steam Fog: Cold air over warm water.

Key Concepts to Remember

• Anvil Top: Characteristic of cumulonimbus clouds.
• Squall Line Thunderstorms: Most hazardous for aircraft.
• Dew Point and Fog Formation: Key conditions that lead to fog.

Exam Preparation Tips

• Use flashcards for fog types and cloud characteristics.
• Practice identifying conditions conducive to structural icing and fog.

These notes cover the key points from Mr. Mig's lecture on the weather section of the FAA Part 107 Exam. The focus is on understanding visibility requirements, cloud types, fog formation, and conditions for thunderstorms and icing. Use this as a reference guide for studying this section of the exam.