FAA Part 107 · Remote Pilot Certificate · Study Guide

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Drone Exam

Everything you need to score 100%. Rules, airspace, weather, ADM, and 16 flip-flashcards — in one focused page.

60
Questions
70%
Min to Pass
12
Topics
2 HR
Time Limit
Chapter 1

Key Numbers

Memorize these cold. They show up on almost every exam question.

400
ft AGL
Max altitude
100
mph / 87 kts
Max ground speed
3
SM
Min visibility
55
lbs
Max weight
500 ftBelow clouds
2,000 ftHorizontal from clouds
0.55 lbsRegistration threshold
10 daysAccident report window
$500Property damage threshold
8 hrsBottle-to-throttle
14 CFR § 107

Part 107 Rules

Two sides of every flight: what you cannot do, and what you must do.

YOU CANNOT

  • ✕
    Fly over people
    Unless operating under § 107.39 categories.
  • ✕
    Fly from moving vehicle
    Except in sparsely populated areas.
  • ✕
    Fly beyond visual line of sight
    Must keep VLOS at all times.
  • ✕
    Fly under the influence
    0.04% BAC max · 8 hours bottle-to-throttle.
  • ✕
    Operate multiple sUAS
    One remote pilot, one aircraft.
  • ✕
    Carry hazardous materials
    Strictly prohibited.

YOU MUST

  • ✓
    Hold a Remote Pilot Certificate
    Renew knowledge every 24 calendar months.
  • ✓
    Register aircraft > 0.55 lbs
    Display registration number externally.
  • ✓
    Preflight inspection
    Every flight, every time.
  • ✓
    Yield to manned aircraft
    Always. No exceptions.
  • ✓
    Report accidents in 10 days
    If serious injury or > $500 damage.
  • ✓
    Maintain VLOS
    Unaided vision (corrective lenses OK).
§ 107.51 — Cloud Clearance
Stay 500 ft below clouds and 2,000 ft horizontal from any cloud. Visibility must be at least 3 statute miles from the control station.
Chapter 2

Airspace Classification

Six classes of US airspace. Know the floor, the ceiling, and the authorization.

A
Class Alpha
18,000 ft MSL → FL600
drones prohibited
B
Class Bravo
Surface → 10,000 ft MSL
ATC auth required
C
Class Charlie
Surface → 4,000 ft AGL
ATC auth / LAANC
D
Class Delta
Surface → 2,500 ft AGL
ATC auth / LAANC
E
Class Echo
Surface or 700/1,200 ft AGL
Auth if surface E
G
Class Golf
Surface → 700/1,200 ft AGL
no auth required
Memory Trick
B, C, D = Bad Can't Do (authorization required). G = Good to Go (uncontrolled).
Chapter 2

Special Use Airspace

Marked on sectional charts. Each letter tells you what's happening overhead.

PProhibited

Flight is prohibited.

RRestricted

Hazards to non-participating aircraft.

WWarning

Hazardous activity over intl. waters.

MOAMilitary Ops

Military training activity.

AAlert

High volume of training or unusual activity.

CFAControlled Firing

Suspended when aircraft approach.

MarkerMeaning
TFRTemporary Flight Restriction — disasters, VIP movement, sporting events.
NSANational Security Area — voluntary avoidance requested.
MTRMilitary Training Routes — high-speed military flight below 10,000 ft.
ADIZAir Defense Identification Zone — flight ID required.
National ParksFAA requests aircraft stay 2,000 ft AGL above.
Chapter 3

METAR Decoder

A METAR is just 9 tokens. Decode it left to right.

KORD261553ZAUTO27015G22KT10SMFEW045BKN08022/14A2990
KORDStation identifier
261553ZDay/Time UTC (Zulu)
AUTOAutomated report
27015G22KTWind 270° @ 15 kt, gust 22
10SMVisibility 10 statute miles
FEW045Few clouds @ 4,500 ft
BKN080Broken @ 8,000 ft
22/14Temp 22°C / Dew 14°C
A2990Altimeter 29.90 inHg
SKC / CLR
0 oktas — Sky clear
FEW
1–2 oktas — Few clouds
SCT
3–4 oktas — Scattered
BKN / OVC
5–7 / 8 oktas — Broken / Overcast
Chapter 3

Weather Products & Hazards

Know which product to pull, and what to do when the sky misbehaves.

ProductWhat It IsValid ForKey Info
METARCurrent surface obs1 hourWind, vis, sky, temp
TAFTerminal forecast24–30 hr5 SM around airport
Winds AloftWind/temp forecast6–24 hrAt altitude levels
SIGMETSignificant weather4 hrSevere conditions, all aircraft
AIRMETSierra / Tango / Zulu6 hrIFR · Turb · Icing
PIREPPilot reportReal-timeUA = routine, UUA = urgent
NOTAMNotice to Air MissionsVariesHazards & restrictions
⛈
Thunderstorms
Avoid by 20 NM
🌬
Wind Shear
Sudden direction change
❄
Icing
Reduces lift
🌡
Density Altitude
Hot / high / humid
🌫
Fog
Visibility < 1 SM
🏔
Mountain Waves
Up to 100+ miles downwind
🌪
Turbulence
Light → Extreme
🌧
Fronts
Cold/Warm/Occluded/Stationary
Density Altitude
DA = Pressure Altitude + (120 × (OAT − ISA Temp)) — high DA = thin air = degraded performance.
Chapter 5

Emergency Procedures

When things go wrong, follow the protocol and report on time.

Emergency Protocol

  1. 1
    Aviate
    Maintain control of the aircraft.
  2. 2
    Navigate
    Steer clear of people & obstacles.
  3. 3
    Communicate
    Notify ATC if in controlled airspace.
  4. 4
    Land ASAP
    Bring it down safely as soon as possible.

Accident Reporting

10 DAYS

Report to FAA within 10 calendar days if any of:

  • • Serious injury or loss of consciousness
  • • Property damage exceeding $500 (other than to the sUAS)
  • • Required by NTSB regulations
How to report
Online via the FAA DroneZone portal. Local FSDO if requested.
Chapter 9

IMSAFE Checklist

Self-assessment before every flight. Six letters, zero excuses.

  • I
    Illness
    Any symptoms? Don't fly.
  • M
    Medication
    Prescription or OTC effects.
  • S
    Stress
    Mental load impairs judgment.
  • A
    Alcohol
    8 hrs · 0.04% BAC max.
  • F
    Fatigue
    Sleep & rest before flight.
  • E
    Emotion / Eating
    Stable mood, proper nutrition.

Alcohol & Drugs

8 HR
Bottle-to-throttle
0.04%
Max BAC

Over-the-counter medications can impair you even when "non-drowsy." When in doubt, ground yourself. No flying within 8 hours of drinking — and not while still impaired, even after.

14 CFR § 91.17
Chapter 10

Aeronautical Decision Making

Recognize the hazardous attitude. Apply the antidote. Decide.

5 Hazardous Attitudes

  1. 1Anti-Authority
    Antidote: Follow the rules. They are usually right.
  2. 2Impulsivity
    Antidote: Not so fast. Think first.
  3. 3Invulnerability
    Antidote: It could happen to me.
  4. 4Macho
    Antidote: Taking chances is foolish.
  5. 5Resignation
    Antidote: I'm not helpless. I can make a difference.

DECIDE Model

  • D
    Detect
    Notice the change.
  • E
    Estimate
    Need to counter or react?
  • C
    Choose
    Outcome that's safest.
  • I
    Identify
    Actions to control the change.
  • D
    Do
    Take the necessary action.
  • E
    Evaluate
    Effect of the action.
P
Pilot
Health, experience, currency.
A
Aircraft
Airworthy, capable, fueled.
V
enVironment
Weather, airspace, terrain.
E
External Pressures
Schedules, expectations.
Interactive

Flashcards

Tap a card to flip. 16 high-yield questions covering every chapter.

Game Plan

7-Day Study Plan

One week, one exam. Stick to the plan and trust the process.

  • Day 1
    Rules & Regulations
    Read Part 107 in full. Memorize the 10 numbers.
  • Day 2
    Airspace Classification
    Drill A–G, sectionals, LAANC.
  • Day 3
    Weather & METAR
    Decode 20 real METARs. Learn AIRMET/SIGMET.
  • Day 4
    Loading & Performance
    CG, density altitude, weight limits.
  • Day 5
    Emergency & Crew
    Procedures, reporting, CRM.
  • Day 6
    ADM, IMSAFE, PAVE
    Practice DECIDE on scenarios.
  • Day 7
    Practice Tests
    Take 3 full 60-Q exams. Review misses.

Exam Tips

  1. 01Memorize the 10 core numbers cold — they appear on nearly every exam.
  2. 02Practice reading sectional charts with a printed legend in hand.
  3. 03Decode 5 METARs per day; the format is highly repetitive.
  4. 04When in doubt on ADM, choose the most conservative answer.
  5. 05Use process of elimination — at least one option is usually absurd.
  6. 06Take the exam well-rested. Two hours is more than enough time.
The 10 Numbers to Memorize
400
ft AGL
100
mph max
55
lbs max
3
SM vis
500
ft below clouds
2000
ft from clouds
0.55
lbs reg.
10
days report
8
hr alcohol
70
% to pass