Remote Pilot - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide

Preface

• Published by the FAA to assist with the knowledge required to pass the Remote Pilot Certificate with sUAS rating.
• Available for download from FAA website.

Table of Contents

1. Applicable Regulations
2. Airspace Classification, Operating Requirements, and Flight Restrictions
3. Aviation Weather Sources & Effects on sUAS Performance
4. Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading
5. Emergency Procedures
6. Crew Resource Management
7. Radio Communication Procedures
8. Determining the Performance of sUAS
9. Physiological Factors Affecting Pilot Performance
10. Aeronautical Decision-Making and Judgment
11. Airport Operations
12. Maintenance and Preflight Inspection Procedures

• Appendices provide additional references and registration/marking requirements.

Introduction

• Guide follows 14 CFR part 107 requirements.
• Covers regulations, airspace, weather, loading, emergencies, CRM, radio procedures, performance, physiological factors, ADM, airport ops, maintenance.

Chapter 1: Applicable Regulations

• Familiarity with 14 CFR part 107 and AC 107-2 required.

Chapter 2: Airspace Classification

• Regulatory vs. Nonregulatory airspace.
• Types: Controlled (Class B, C, D, E), Uncontrolled (G), Special Use (Prohibited, Restricted, Warning areas, MOAs, Alert areas, CFAs).
• Other airspace areas like TRSA, NSA, Flight Restricted Zones.

Chapter 3a: Aviation Weather Sources

• Weather sources: National Weather Service, FAA, DOD.
• Surface Aviation Weather Observations & METARs.
• Aviation Forecasts: TAF, SIGMET, AIRMET.

Chapter 3b: Effects of Weather on sUAS Performance

• Factors: Density Altitude, Pressure, Temperature, Humidity.
• Effects: Performance, Climb Performance, Low-Level Wind Shear, Atmospheric Stability.

Chapter 4: Small Unmanned Aircraft Loading

• Importance of weight and balance, CG determination.
• Performance affected by weight distribution changes.

Chapter 5: Emergency Procedures

• Inflight emergencies allow deviation from part 107.
• Preflight inspections and proper crew briefing are critical.

Chapter 6: Crew Resource Management

• Refers to Chapter 10 for ADM and CRM details.

Chapter 7: Radio Communication Procedures

• Importance of understanding radio procedures for situational awareness.
• Communication at towered and non-towered airports.

Chapter 8: Performance of Small Unmanned Aircraft

• Operational performance data significance.
• Temperature and humidity effects on air density.

Chapter 9: Physiological Factors Affecting Pilot Performance

• Prohibition of drug and alcohol influence.
• Factors: stress, fatigue, dehydration, hyperventilation.

Chapter 10: Aeronautical Decision-Making and Judgment

• Importance of ADM in aviation safety.
• ADM Models: 5P, 3P, DECIDE.
• Risk management and situational awareness.

Chapter 11: Airport Operations

• Types: Towered vs. Non-towered.
• Sources for airport data: Aeronautical charts, NOTAMs, ATIS.

Chapter 12: Maintenance and Preflight Inspection Procedures

• Essential for safety and compliance.

Appendices

• List of study references, registration and marking requirements, abbreviations, and acronyms.