The Complete Remote Pilot

This textbook is for anyone interested in pursuing and obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate, which is required in order to operate drones for commercial use. With a friendly and readable style, the authors cover all of the details involved in becoming a competent, responsible, and safe remote pilot, opening up tremendous opportunities for flying increasingly affordable and sophisticated small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS). An FAA Knowledge Exam is a requirement for earning a Remote Pilot Certificate. The Complete Remote Pilot is designed to not only prepare you for the exam but to teach you about how drones fly, their components and systems, and the aeronautical knowledge required to fly in the same airspace as crewed aircraft. This book covers specifics on drone terminology, regulations, airspace and navigation, airport and off-airport operations, radio communication procedures, weather, aerodynamics and aircraft performance, emergency procedures, human factors, maintenance, and preflight inspection procedures. This second edition incorporates regulation changes in 14 CFR Parts 89 and 107 for sUAS equipment; operating at night and over people; remote pilot knowledge, training, and certification; and remote identification of uncrewed aircraft. The required aeronautical knowledge is augmented with specific tips and techniques, checklists, and mnemonic devices, as well as review questions for each chapter similar to the type found on the FAA test, a comprehensive glossary, and index. You will gain the practical knowledge needed to pass the FAA Knowledge Exam and understand how to operate safely as a remote pilot in the U.S. National Airspace System. Copyright Foreword About the Authors Getting Started 1. Uncrewed Aircraft Systems: Learning the Language of Drones A Very Brief History of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Terms and Abbreviations Types of UAS UAS Components Common Uses of sUAS Summary Review Questions 2. Regulations: Remote Pilot Certificate sUAS Rating Privileges, Limitations, and Flight Operations Government Regulations and Other Procedures Publications Chart Supplements U.S. Advisory Circulars QR Codes Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) Aviation Media Review Questions 3. Airspace and Navigation Aeronautical Charts Geographical Coordinates Time Statute and Nautical Mile Scale Magnetic Variation Correcting for Wind Drift Ground Speed vs. Airspeed Chart Reading Airspace Terminal Radar Service Area Special Use Airspace Air Defense Identification Zones Wildlife Refuge Area Review Questions 4. Airport and Off-Airport Operations The Airport Crosswind Operations Wake Turbulence Operations at Non-Tower Airports Operations at Airports with Control Towers Off-Airport Operations Flying at Night Review Questions 5. Radio Communication Procedures Radio Procedures Radio Use at Non-Tower Airports Communication at Airports with Operating Towers Air Traffic Control Radar Services ADS-B Remote Identification (RID) Radio Communication Phraseology and Technique Review Questions 6. Weather: General Weather Theory, Aviation Weather Sources, and Effects of Weather on sUAS Performance Fronts Stability Cloud Families Thunderstorms Wind Shear Fog Structural Icing and Frost Cold Weather Operations Lake Effect Snow Using Your Weather Knowledge Learning More About Weather Overview The AWC Home Page Textual Weather Products Automated Weather Reporting Stations Other Less Frequently Used Resources Practical Sources for the Remote Pilot Summary Review Questions 7. Performance A Very Brief Introduction to Aerodynamics Weight and Balance Weight and Balance Calculations Performance Density Altitude Takeoff and Climb Performance Endurance Landing Distance Aerodynamic Effects Vortex Ring State Ground Effect Trim Review Questions 8. Emergency Procedures Contingency Planning Ground Emergencies Inflight Emergencies Emergency Communications Other “Surprises” Review Questions 9. Human Factors Health and Environmental Factors Decision-Making and Judgment Refresher Training Positive Control Risk Management and Aeronautical Decision Making Review Questions 10. Maintenance and Preflight Inspection Procedures Regulatory Requirements Preflight Inspection Considerations Postflight Inspection Considerations Inspection Intervals Battery Maintenance Flight and Maintenance Logs Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement of Components Review Questions Appendix A: Glossary Appendix B: Chart Supplements U.S.: Airport/Facility Directory Legend Appendix C: Chart Supplements U.S. Excerpts Appendix D: Additional Full- Color Illustrations Seattle Sectional Chart Excerpts and Legend North Alabama Sectional Chart Airport Signs Index "This textbook is for anyone interested in pursuing and obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate, which is required in order to operate drones for commercial use. With a friendly and readable style, the authors cover all of the details involved in becoming a competent, responsible, and safe remote pilot, opening up tremendous opportunities for flying increasingly affordable and sophisticated small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). An FAA Knowledge Exam is a requirement for earning a Remote Pilot Certificate. The Complete Remote Pilot is designed to not only prepare you for the exam but to teach you about how UAS fly, their components and systems, and the aeronautical knowledge required to fly these systems in the same airspace as manned aircraft. This book covers specifics on the language of drones, regulations, airspace and navigation, airport and off-airport operations, radio communication procedures, weather, aerodynamics and aircraft performance, emergency procedures, human factors, maintenance, and preflight inspection procedures. The required aeronautical knowledge is augmented with specific tips and techniques, checklists and mnemonic devices, and sound advice from personal experience. You'll benefit from the review questions for each chapter similar to the type found on the FAA test, a comprehensive glossary, and index. This practical application of the knowledge needed to pass the FAA Knowledge Exam is not available in any other book! You will gain the knowledge needed to pass the test and understand how to operate safely as a remote pilot in the U.S. National Airspace System"-- Provided by publisher