The Complete Remote Pilot

by Bob Gardner, David Ison

Overview

This textbook is for anyone interested in pursuing and obtaining an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate which is a requirement for operating drones in commercial uses. The authors explain in a friendly, readable style, all the details involved in the adventure of becoming a remote pilot and learning to fly a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS). Passing the FAA Knowledge Exam is required to earn a remote pilot certificate. This text is designed to not only comprehensively prepare you for the exam but to also teach you how a UAS flies, how to intelligently talk about them and their components and be well versed in the aeronautical knowledge required to fly these systems in the same airspace as large commercial jets. Covers 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. Each chapter concludes with review questions similar to the type found on the FAA test, and a glossary and index are included. This practical application of the FAA Knowledge Exam is not available in any other book and 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781644252079
Publisher:	Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.
Publication date:	11/15/2022
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 10.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Bob Gardner began his flying career in Alaska in the U.S. Coast Guard. Over the next 50+ years, he earned his ATP and Instructor certificates, flew commercially, and operated as a designated examiner, Director of ASA Ground Schools, author, journalist, and airshow lecturer.

Dr. David Ison is an Associate Professor of Aeronautics for the College of Aeronautics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Worldwide. He has been involved in aviation for more than 30 years, which includes 6,000 flight hours in aircraft such as the Canadair Regional Jet, Boeing 737, and Lockheed L-1011. He also has a wide array of experience with fixed-wing and multicopter drones.

Table of Contents

Foreword vi

About the Authors vii

Getting Started viii

1 Uncrewed Aircraft Systems: Learning the Language of Drones 1

A Very Brief History of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) 1

Terms and Abbreviations 2

Types of UAS 4

UAS Components 5

Common Uses of sUAS 9

Summary 11

Review Questions 12

2 Regulations: Remote Pilot Certificate sUAS Rating Privileges, Limitations, and Flight Operations 13

Government Regulations and Other Procedures Publications 13

Chart Supplements U.S. 27

Advisory Circulars 27

QR Codes 28

Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) 28

Aviation Media 28

Review Questions 30

3 Airspace and Navigation 35

Aeronautical Charts 35

Geographical Coordinates 36

Time 36

Statute and Nautical Mile Scale 37

Magnetic Variation 37

Correcting for Wind Drift 38

Ground Speed vs. Airspeed 39

Chart Reading 39

Airspace 40

Terminal Radar Service Area 46

Special Use Airspace 46

Air Defense Identification Zones 48

Wildlife Refuge Area 48

Review Questions 49

4 Airport and Off-Airport Operations 53

The Airport 53

Crosswind Operations 57

Wake Turbulence 58

Operations at Non-Tower Airports 58

Operations at Airports with Control Towers 60

Off-Airport Operations 62

Flying at Night 65

Review Questions 66

5 Radio Communication Procedures 69

Radio Procedures 71

Radio Use at Non-Tower Airports 72

Communication at Airports with Operating Towers 73

Air Traffic Control Radar Services 74

ADS-B 74

Remote Identification (RID) 75

Radio Communication Phraseology and Technique 76

Review Questions 79

6 Weather: General Weather Theory, Aviation Weather Sources, and Effects of Weather on sUAS Performance 81

Fronts 84

Stability 86

Cloud Families 86

Thunderstorms 87

Wind Shear 89

Fog 90

Structural Icing and Frost 91

Cold Weather Operations 91

Lake Effect Snow 92

Using Your Weather Knowledge 92

Learning More About Weather 92

Overview 94

The AWC Home Page 94

Textual Weather Products 104

Automated Weather Reporting Stations 106

Other Less Frequently Used Resources 107

Practical Sources for the Remote Pilot 108

Summary 109

Review Questions 110

7 Performance 113

A Very Brief Introduction to Aerodynamics 113

Weight and Balance 115

Weight and Balance Calculations 116

Performance 117

Density Altitude 117

Takeoff and Climb Performance 118

Endurance 120

Landing Distance 120

Aerodynamic Effects 120

Vortex Ring State 121

Ground Effect 121

Trim 121

Review Questions 123

8 Emergency Procedures 125

Contingency Planning 125

Ground Emergencies 125

Inflight Emergencies 126

Emergency Communications 130

Other "Surprises" 130

Review Questions 132

9 Human Factors 133

Health and Environmental Factors 133

Decision-Making and Judgment 135

Refresher Training 136

Positive Control 137

Risk Management and Aeronautical Decision Making 137

Review Questions 139

10 Maintenance and Preflight Inspection Procedures 141

Regulatory Requirements 141

Preflight Inspection Considerations 141

Postflight Inspection Considerations 142

Inspection Intervals 142

Battery Maintenance 143

Flight and Maintenance Logs 144

Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement of Components 144

Review Questions 145

Appendix A Glossary 147

Appendix B Chart Supplements U.S.: Airport Facility Directory Legend 155

Appendix C Chart Supplements U.S. Excerpts 175

Appendix D Additional Full-Color Illustrations 179

Seattle Sectional Chart Excerpts and Legend 179

North Alabama Sectional Chart 184

Airport Signs 186

Index 187