FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Study Guide 2025

Latitude and Longitude on Sectional Charts

Introduction

• Lecture focuses on understanding latitude and longitude as seen on sectional charts.
• Questions discussed are relevant for the Part 107 exam.

Historical Context

• Early sailors used stars, the sun, and maps for navigation.
• Realization of the need for a grid system to divide Earth into precise locations.

Latitude

• Latitude lines run east to west, parallel to the equator.
• First line of latitude is the equator at 0°.
• Importance of the North Star in determining latitude.

Longitude

• Longitude lines run north to south, intersect at poles.
• Prime Meridian at 0° is the main longitudinal line, passing through Greenwich, England.
• Establishment due to historical maritime navigation needs.

Measuring Degrees and Minutes

• Distance between each degree of latitude or longitude is 60 minutes.
• Sectional charts use lines and tick marks to denote degrees and minutes for precise location finding.

Practical Application

• Understanding how to read and use sectional charts.
• Importance of identifying coordinates based on degrees, minutes, and seconds.

Coordinate Formats

• Different formats:
  • Degrees, minutes, and seconds
  • Degrees and decimal minutes
  • Decimal degrees
• Part 107 exam may use different formats, requiring understanding of each.

Finding Coordinates on Sectional Charts

• Latitude comes first, followed by longitude.
• Practical examples of finding locations based on given coordinates.

Exercises and Exam Preparation

• Practice exercises aligning with Part 107 exam questions.
• Importance of using sectional charts to locate specific features like airports or VFR checkpoints.
• Strategy: Find the location first before choosing the exam answer.

Conversion and Calculation

• Converting between coordinate formats (e.g., degrees to decimal).
• Practical examples provided to help with understanding.

Conclusion and Next Steps

• Encouragement to practice using sectional charts.
• Reminder of following up with more study materials and aids for the Part 107 exam preparation.

Additional Tips

• Use of tools like skyvector.com for practice.
• Understanding the logic behind tick marks and coordinate intervals on charts.
• Staying updated with new content for comprehensive preparation.