CSLB General Building (B) — All Questions

A remote pilot is hired to photograph damage near the top of a 700-ft radio tower. What is the highest altitude the small unmanned aircraft may legally reach during this inspection?

• a.400 ft AGL, because the 400-ft ceiling has no exceptions
• b.700 ft AGL, matching the exact height of the tower
• c.1,100 ft AGL, as long as the aircraft stays within a 400-ft radius of the tower✓
• d.800 ft AGL, which is twice the standard 400-ft limit

Correct answer: 1,100 ft AGL. Under §107.51 the aircraft may fly higher than 400 ft AGL if it remains within a 400-ft radius of a structure and does not climb more than 400 ft above that structure's uppermost limit, so 700 + 400 = 1,100 ft. The 400-ft-only answer ignores the structure exception, and the 700-ft and 800-ft answers apply the wrong math to the rule.14 CFR §107.51

During a rooftop survey a small unmanned aircraft loses power, falls, and strikes a parked car. Nobody is hurt, but the body shop estimates $900 to repair the vehicle. What must the remote pilot in command do?

• a.File a report with the FAA within 10 calendar days of the accident✓
• b.Take no action, because no person was injured in the event
• c.File a report with the FAA within 24 hours of the accident
• d.Take no action, because damage under $1,000 is exempt

Correct answer: report to the FAA within 10 calendar days. Section 107.9 requires a report when property damage other than to the small unmanned aircraft exceeds $500 to repair or replace, and $900 clears that threshold. Injury is not the only trigger, the deadline is 10 days rather than 24 hours, and the reporting threshold is $500, not $1,000.14 CFR §107.9

What is the minimum flight visibility required for small unmanned aircraft operations under Part 107, and from where is it measured?

• a.1 SM measured from the small unmanned aircraft
• b.3 SM measured from the control station✓
• c.3 SM measured from the nearest weather reporting station
• d.5 SM measured from the control station

Correct answer: 3 statute miles measured from the control station. Section 107.51 sets minimum flight visibility at 3 SM and specifies the control station as the reference point, not the aircraft or an airport observation site. The 1 SM and 5 SM figures come from manned-aircraft airspace rules and do not apply here.14 CFR §107.51

A remote pilot is flying beneath a broken cloud layer whose bases are reported at 900 ft AGL. What is the highest altitude the flight may use and still satisfy the Part 107 cloud clearance requirement?

• a.900 ft AGL, since the aircraft only has to stay out of the clouds
• b.500 ft AGL, because that is half of the reported ceiling
• c.700 ft AGL, leaving 200 ft of vertical separation
• d.400 ft AGL, which keeps the aircraft 500 ft below the bases✓

Correct answer: 400 ft AGL. Section 107.51 requires the small unmanned aircraft to remain at least 500 ft below the clouds and 2,000 ft horizontally from them, so with bases at 900 ft the highest usable altitude is 400 ft AGL, which also happens to match the general ceiling. Simply staying visually clear of the clouds or leaving only 200 ft of separation violates the vertical minimum, and there is no half-the-ceiling rule.14 CFR §107.51

What is the minimum age at which a person may be issued a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating?

• a.16 years old✓
• b.14 years old
• c.17 years old
• d.18 years old

Correct answer: 16 years old. Section 107.61 requires an applicant to be at least 16 years of age, and also to be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. Ages 14, 17, and 18 are minimums associated with other certificates such as student, private, or commercial pilot rules, not Part 107.14 CFR §107.61

A remote pilot passed the initial aeronautical knowledge test in March 2024 and has flown regularly since. To keep exercising the privileges of the certificate, what must this pilot do?

• a.Retake the initial knowledge test at a testing center every 12 months
• b.Complete a flight review with an authorized instructor every 24 months
• c.Complete recurrent training within the previous 24 calendar months✓
• d.Apply for a new remote pilot certificate every 36 calendar months

Correct answer: complete recurrent training within the previous 24 calendar months. Section 107.65 requires currency through recurrent training, which certificated remote pilots may satisfy with the free online FAA course. There is no 12-month retest, no flight review requirement for Part 107, and the certificate itself does not expire on a 36-month cycle.14 CFR §107.65

What is the maximum groundspeed permitted for a small unmanned aircraft operated under Part 107?

• a.70 knots, which equals about 80 mph
• b.87 knots, which equals about 100 mph✓
• c.100 knots, which equals about 115 mph
• d.55 knots, which equals about 63 mph

Correct answer: 87 knots, or about 100 mph. Section 107.51 caps groundspeed at 87 knots (100 mph), and note that the limit is groundspeed, so a tailwind can push a slow-flying aircraft over the limit. The other values are not tied to any Part 107 speed restriction.14 CFR §107.51

A remote pilot finishes two beers at a company lunch at 12:30 p.m. and is asked to fly a mapping mission that afternoon. Assuming the pilot feels completely normal, when is the earliest the pilot may act as remote pilot in command?

• a.Immediately, since Part 107 has no alcohol timing rule
• b.At 2:30 p.m., which is 2 hours after the last drink
• c.At 4:30 p.m., which is 4 hours after the last drink
• d.At 8:30 p.m., which is 8 hours after the last drink✓

Correct answer: 8:30 p.m. Section 107.27 applies the §91.17 alcohol rules to remote pilots, prohibiting operation within 8 hours of consuming alcohol, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent or more, or while under the influence. Feeling normal does not shorten the 8-hour window, and 2- or 4-hour intervals do not exist in the regulation.14 CFR §107.27

A client insists that a remote pilot launch immediately even though gusty winds exceed the manufacturer's published limits for the aircraft. Who has the final decision on whether the flight takes place?

• a.The remote pilot in command, who is directly responsible for and has final authority over the operation✓
• b.The client, because the client is paying for the commercial service
• c.The aircraft manufacturer, through the operating limitations in the manual
• d.The visual observer, who has the clearest view of the flight conditions

Correct answer: the remote pilot in command. Section 107.19 makes the RPIC directly responsible for, and the final authority over, the operation of the small unmanned aircraft system. A paying client cannot override that authority, the manufacturer only publishes limits, and the visual observer assists the RPIC but does not command the flight.14 CFR §107.19

A certificated remote pilot brings a trainee to a job site and lets the trainee fly the controls for part of the mission. Which statement describes a legal arrangement?

• a.The trainee must hold at least a student pilot certificate before touching the controls
• b.The trainee may manipulate the controls under the direct supervision of the RPIC, who can immediately take control✓
• c.The trainee may fly alone as long as the RPIC watches from inside a nearby vehicle
• d.The trainee may fly only if a second certificated remote pilot also observes the flight

Correct answer: the trainee may manipulate the controls under the direct supervision of the remote pilot in command, who must have the ability to immediately take direct control. Section 107.12 allows this without the trainee holding any certificate, so a student pilot certificate is not required. Supervising from inside a vehicle without the ability to take over, or adding a second certificated pilot, are not the standards in the rule.14 CFR §107.12

A new 4.2-lb quadcopter will be used for paid real estate photography. Which statement about registration and marking is correct?

• a.Registration is optional because the aircraft weighs less than 5 lbs
• b.The registration number may be kept inside a sealed battery compartment
• c.Registration is required only if the aircraft is flown in controlled airspace
• d.The aircraft must be registered and the registration number must be readable on its exterior surface✓

Correct answer: the aircraft must be registered and marked so the registration number is legible on an exterior surface. Section 107.13 requires a small unmanned aircraft operated under Part 107 to be registered under Part 47 or Part 48, and the marking must be readable without tools or disassembly. Weight below 5 lbs, hiding the number inside a sealed compartment, and airspace class have no bearing on the requirement.14 CFR §107.13

Which of the following describes an acceptable way to comply with the Remote ID rule?

• a.Filing a flight plan with the nearest air traffic control facility before each flight
• b.Placing a printed placard with the registration number on the top of the airframe
• c.Attaching an FAA-accepted broadcast module and flying within visual line of sight✓
• d.Carrying a handheld radio tuned to the local common traffic advisory frequency

Correct answer: attaching an FAA-accepted broadcast module and keeping the aircraft within visual line of sight. Part 89 offers three paths: a standard Remote ID aircraft, a broadcast module with the flight kept within visual line of sight, or operating at an FAA-recognized identification area (FRIA). Flight plans, placards, and radios do not broadcast the required identification and location data.14 CFR Part 89

During an inspection flight the small unmanned aircraft drifts behind a large grain silo and the remote pilot can no longer see it, although the video downlink is still clear. What does Part 107 require?

• a.The pilot must maneuver to regain unaided visual contact, because the video feed does not satisfy the requirement✓
• b.The pilot may continue as long as the live video feed remains uninterrupted
• c.The pilot may continue for up to 3 minutes before regaining sight of the aircraft
• d.The pilot may continue if the aircraft stays below 200 ft AGL while out of sight

Correct answer: the pilot must maneuver to regain unaided visual contact. Section 107.31 requires the remote pilot or visual observer to keep the aircraft in sight throughout flight using vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, so a camera feed does not count. There is no grace period of a few minutes and no low-altitude exemption in the rule.14 CFR §107.31

When a visual observer is used during a Part 107 operation, which requirement applies?

• a.The visual observer must hold a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating
• b.The RPIC, person manipulating the controls, and visual observer must be able to communicate effectively at all times✓
• c.The visual observer must be positioned at least 500 ft from the control station
• d.The visual observer assumes responsibility for the flight once the aircraft is airborne

Correct answer: the crew must maintain effective communication at all times. Section 107.33 requires the RPIC, any person manipulating the controls, and the visual observer to coordinate and communicate so the aircraft can be seen and hazards avoided. A visual observer needs no certificate, has no minimum separation distance, and never takes over responsibility from the RPIC.14 CFR §107.33

A survey company wants one certificated remote pilot to launch three identical mapping drones and run them simultaneously from a single tablet. Is this permitted under Part 107?

• a.Yes, as long as a visual observer watches each aircraft
• b.Yes, provided all three aircraft stay below 200 ft AGL
• c.No, a person may not operate or act as RPIC for more than one aircraft at a time✓
• d.No, unless each aircraft weighs less than 2 lbs including payload

Correct answer: no, because §107.35 prohibits a person from operating or acting as remote pilot in command for more than one small unmanned aircraft at the same time. Adding visual observers or lowering the altitude does not change this, and there is no small-aircraft weight exception. Swarm or multi-aircraft operations require a waiver.14 CFR §107.35

A remote pilot plans a legal night operation under Part 107. What equipment requirement applies to the small unmanned aircraft?

• a.Position lights that are visible for at least 1 SM
• b.A strobe light that flashes at least 60 times per minute
• c.Landing lights bright enough to illuminate the takeoff area
• d.Lighted anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 SM✓

Correct answer: anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles. Section 107.29 permits night operations without a waiver if the aircraft has anti-collision lighting visible for 3 SM with a flash rate sufficient to avoid a collision, and the remote pilot has completed the updated training or test. Position lights visible for 1 SM, a specific 60-per-minute flash rate, and landing lights are not the standard.14 CFR §107.29

Which small unmanned aircraft would qualify for Category 1 operations over human beings?

• a.A 0.5-lb aircraft including everything on board, with no exposed rotating parts that could lacerate skin✓
• b.A 1.2-lb aircraft that has passed a manufacturer drop test
• c.A 0.5-lb aircraft with exposed propellers but a certified parachute installed
• d.Any aircraft under 55 lbs that carries current liability insurance

Correct answer: the 0.5-lb aircraft with no exposed rotating parts that could lacerate human skin. Section 107.110 defines Category 1 as an aircraft weighing 0.55 lb or less including everything on board or otherwise attached, plus that laceration criterion. Weight alone, a drop test, a parachute, or insurance coverage do not create Category 1 eligibility.14 CFR §107.110

A remote pilot operating a Category 2 eligible aircraft wants to fly over cars moving on a public highway. Which statement is correct?

• a.Sustained flight over the moving cars is allowed for up to 5 minutes
• b.The aircraft may transit over the moving cars but may not maintain sustained flight over them✓
• c.Flight over moving vehicles is prohibited for every category of operation
• d.Sustained flight is allowed if the highway speed limit is 45 mph or lower

Correct answer: the aircraft may transit over the moving vehicles but may not remain in sustained flight over them. Section 107.145 allows Category 1 and 2 aircraft to fly over moving vehicles only while transiting, unless the operation is within a closed or restricted-access site. There is no 5-minute allowance, no blanket prohibition for all categories, and posted speed limits are irrelevant.14 CFR §107.145

A film crew needs a drone to fly beyond visual line of sight along a canyon rim. What is the correct way to make this operation legal?

• a.Post a public notice of the flight at least 48 hours in advance
• b.Add two visual observers along the route and proceed without paperwork
• c.Apply for a certificate of waiver from the FAA and comply with any conditions it contains✓
• d.Notify the nearest air traffic control facility by phone before takeoff

Correct answer: apply for a certificate of waiver. Section 107.200 lets the FAA issue a waiver for certain Part 107 rules, including §107.31 visual line of sight, when the applicant shows the operation can be conducted safely. Public notices, extra observers, and phone calls to ATC do not by themselves authorize deviating from a Part 107 rule.14 CFR §107.200

A remote pilot wants to fly at 150 ft AGL over a parking lot that lies inside the surface area of Class D airspace. What is required before the flight?

• a.Prior authorization from ATC, which is commonly obtained through LAANC✓
• b.Nothing extra, because the flight stays below 400 ft AGL
• c.A filed VFR flight plan naming the departure and recovery points
• d.Only a phone call to the airport manager on the day of the flight

Correct answer: prior ATC authorization, typically obtained through LAANC or the FAA DroneZone portal. Section 107.41 prohibits operating in Class B, C, D, or the surface area of Class E airspace without that authorization, regardless of how low the flight is. Flight plans and courtesy calls to an airport manager are not substitutes for the authorization.14 CFR §107.41

A remote pilot buzzes a group of hikers at low altitude to get a dramatic shot, startling several of them. Nobody is injured and the aircraft never touches anyone. How would the FAA most likely view this flight?

• a.Acceptable, because no injury or property damage resulted
• b.Acceptable, because artistic flights are exempt from operating rules
• c.A violation only if the hikers file a written complaint
• d.A careless or reckless operation that endangered the life or property of another✓

Correct answer: a careless or reckless operation. Section 107.23 prohibits operating a small unmanned aircraft system in a careless or reckless manner that endangers the life or property of another, and endangerment alone is enough without an actual injury. Artistic purpose is not an exemption, and enforcement does not depend on someone filing a complaint.14 CFR §107.23

A farmer asks a remote pilot to release seed packets from a drone over an open field. Which statement about dropping objects is correct?

• a.Dropping any object from a small unmanned aircraft is prohibited under Part 107
• b.Dropping is allowed if it does not create an undue hazard to persons or property✓
• c.Dropping is allowed only after the pilot obtains a certificate of waiver
• d.Dropping is allowed only if the released item weighs less than 1 lb

Correct answer: dropping is allowed as long as it creates no undue hazard to persons or property. Section 107.23 prohibits allowing an object to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that creates such a hazard, which means careful releases are permitted. There is no blanket ban, no waiver requirement for ordinary drops, and no 1-lb limit on the item released.14 CFR §107.23

To avoid a sudden midair conflict with a low-flying medical helicopter, a remote pilot climbs the drone above 400 ft AGL and briefly loses required cloud clearance. What does Part 107 say about this deviation?

• a.The deviation is never permitted because §107.51 contains no exceptions
• b.The deviation is permitted only if a visual observer approved it beforehand
• c.The deviation is permitted to the extent needed to meet the emergency, and the pilot must send a written report if the FAA requests one✓
• d.The deviation is permitted but the pilot must self-report it to the FAA within 24 hours

Correct answer: the deviation is permitted to the extent needed to meet the emergency, with a written report due upon FAA request. Section 107.21 gives the remote pilot in command in-flight emergency authority to deviate from any rule of Part 107. No prior approval from a visual observer is required, and a report is triggered by an FAA request rather than an automatic 24-hour deadline.14 CFR §107.21

A courier asks a remote pilot to deliver a small can of paint thinner across a construction site by drone. What does Part 107 require?

• a.The flight is prohibited, because a small unmanned aircraft may not carry hazardous material✓
• b.The flight is allowed if the container weighs less than 2 lbs
• c.The flight is allowed if the drone remains below 100 ft AGL
• d.The flight is allowed if the pilot carries the shipping papers at the control station

Correct answer: the flight is prohibited. Section 107.36 states that a small unmanned aircraft may not carry hazardous material, and flammable solvents such as paint thinner fall in that category. Weight of the container, low altitude, and paperwork at the control station do not create an exception to the prohibition.14 CFR §107.36

A pipeline patrol team wants to operate a drone from the bed of a pickup truck driving slowly along a remote desert access road. Under Part 107, is this allowed?

• a.No, operating from any moving vehicle is prohibited without exception
• b.Yes, but only if the truck stays below 25 mph
• c.Yes, but only if a visual observer rides in the truck cab
• d.Yes, because the operation is over a sparsely populated area and no property is carried for compensation✓

Correct answer: yes, because §107.25 permits operating from a moving land or water-borne vehicle when the flight is over a sparsely populated area, and prohibits carrying another person's property for compensation or hire from a moving vehicle. Operation from a moving aircraft is never allowed. The rule sets no vehicle speed limit and does not require an observer in the cab.14 CFR §107.25

Which action is specifically required of the remote pilot in command before beginning a flight under Part 107?

• a.Obtaining a weather briefing from an FAA flight service specialist by telephone
• b.Assessing the operating environment and inspecting the sUAS to ensure all control links and systems work properly✓
• c.Filing the aircraft registration number with the local law enforcement agency
• d.Recording engine run time and battery cycles in a maintenance logbook

Correct answer: assess the operating environment and inspect the small unmanned aircraft system before flight. Section 107.49 requires the RPIC to consider local weather, airspace and flight restrictions, hazards, and to verify sufficient power and that all control links and systems are functioning. A telephone briefing, police notification, and a formal maintenance log are not mandated by that section.14 CFR §107.49

A local police officer and an FAA inspector approach a remote pilot during a job and ask to see documentation. What is the pilot required to do?

• a.Refuse until a written request arrives from the FAA regional office
• b.Provide the documents to the FAA inspector but not to the police officer
• c.Present the remote pilot certificate and make it available for inspection upon request✓
• d.Provide only a photograph of the certificate sent by email within 10 days

Correct answer: present the remote pilot certificate and make it available for inspection on request. Section 107.7 requires a remote pilot in command to present the certificate and any related documents or records for inspection by the FAA, NTSB, TSA, or any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer. Refusing, limiting access to the FAA alone, or promising a later email does not satisfy the rule.14 CFR §107.7

A drone airframe weighs 48 lbs empty. The operator wants to add a 6-lb sensor pod and a 3-lb battery pack. May the aircraft still be flown under Part 107?

• a.No, because the total weight at takeoff would be 57 lbs, above the 55-lb limit✓
• b.Yes, because only the empty airframe weight counts toward the limit
• c.Yes, because payload weight is exempt when the mission is for inspection
• d.No, because Part 107 limits the airframe alone to 45 lbs

Correct answer: no, the aircraft would weigh 57 lbs. Part 107 applies to a small unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 lbs on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft. Empty weight is not the measure, mission type creates no exemption, and there is no 45-lb airframe limit.14 CFR §107.3

Midway through a mapping flight the remote pilot notices one motor running unusually hot and hears an intermittent buzzing from that arm. What does Part 107 require?

• a.Continue the mission but reduce groundspeed to 30 knots for the remainder
• b.Discontinue the flight, because the aircraft is no longer in a condition for safe operation✓
• c.Continue the mission and note the discrepancy in a post-flight report
• d.Continue only if a visual observer confirms the aircraft still appears stable

Correct answer: discontinue the flight. Section 107.15 requires the RPIC to verify before flight that the sUAS is in a condition for safe operation and to discontinue the flight when a condition arises that would endanger persons or property. Slowing down, logging the problem later, or relying on an observer does not correct an unairworthy condition.14 CFR §107.15

Besides meeting the minimum age and passing the knowledge test, what language-related condition must an applicant satisfy to be eligible for a remote pilot certificate?

• a.Pass an oral interview conducted in English by an FAA inspector
• b.Hold a certified translation of the study guide in the applicant's native language
• c.Demonstrate fluency in English and one additional language used in aviation
• d.Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language✓

Correct answer: be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. Section 107.61 lists that ability as an eligibility requirement, with a possible accommodation issued with an operating limitation if a medical condition affects the applicant's speech. There is no oral interview requirement, no translated study guide requirement, and no second-language requirement.14 CFR §107.61

While filming a shoreline, a remote pilot spots a seaplane on final approach to the water roughly a half mile away and converging with the drone's flight path. What must the remote pilot do?

• a.Hold altitude and heading so the seaplane pilot can predict the drone's path
• b.Climb above the seaplane to keep it in sight during the pass
• c.Yield the right of way and maneuver so the drone does not pass close to the seaplane✓
• d.Descend to 50 ft AGL and hover until the seaplane lands

Correct answer: yield the right of way. Section 107.37 requires the small unmanned aircraft to give way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch or reentry vehicles, and prohibits operating so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard. Holding a predictable path or climbing toward the traffic does not satisfy that duty, and a fixed descent altitude is not what the rule requires.14 CFR §107.37

A delivery startup plans paid drone deliveries of small packages for customers. Which statement reflects a limitation on carrying another person's property for compensation under Part 107?

• a.The flight must stay within the boundaries of a single State and total weight must remain under 55 lbs✓
• b.Deliveries are allowed across State lines if each package weighs under 5 lbs
• c.Deliveries for compensation are prohibited entirely under Part 107
• d.Deliveries are allowed only between sunrise and sunset regardless of aircraft lighting

Correct answer: the operation must remain within the boundaries of a single State, and the aircraft plus payload must stay under 55 lbs. Part 107 permits carrying another person's property for compensation or hire subject to these limits, and such flights may not be conducted from a moving vehicle or aircraft. Interstate delivery, an outright ban, and a daylight-only restriction are not accurate statements of the rule.

Before conducting a Category 2 operation over people, what must the remote pilot in command have available?

• a.A copy of the airport facility directory for the nearest towered field
• b.The operating manual and any labeling indicating the aircraft meets Category 2 requirements✓
• c.A signed release form from every person who will be overflown
• d.A special airworthiness certificate issued by an FAA flight standards office

Correct answer: the operating manual and the labeling showing the aircraft meets Category 2 requirements. Section 107.115 conditions Category 2 operations on the aircraft carrying the required label from an accepted declaration of compliance and on the RPIC operating in accordance with the manufacturer's operating manual. Facility directories, individual releases, and special airworthiness certificates are not part of the requirement.14 CFR §107.115

A remote pilot holds a Category 3 eligible aircraft and is asked to hover above a crowd gathered in an open-air stadium during a concert. Which statement is correct?

• a.The operation is legal because Category 3 aircraft are approved for any crowd
• b.The operation is legal if the pilot first notifies the stadium operator in writing
• c.The operation is legal if the drone stays at least 100 ft above the highest person
• d.The operation is prohibited, since Category 3 does not permit flight over an open-air assembly of people✓

Correct answer: prohibited. Section 107.120 bars Category 3 operations over open-air assemblies of human beings and limits flight over people to closed or restricted-access sites where those present have been notified, or to transiting rather than sustained flight over people not directly participating. Crowd approval, written notice to a venue, and a 100-ft buffer do not create authority for this flight.14 CFR §107.120

A remote pilot is asked by a law enforcement officer to submit to a test for alcohol after an incident, and the pilot refuses without a valid reason. What is the likely consequence for the pilot's certificate?

• a.A written warning is placed in the pilot's file with no further action
• b.The certificate is automatically converted to a student pilot certificate
• c.Refusal is grounds for denial of an application for one year and for suspension or revocation of the certificate✓
• d.The pilot must simply retake the aeronautical knowledge test before flying again

Correct answer: refusal is grounds for denial of a certificate application for up to one year and for suspension or revocation of an existing remote pilot certificate. Section 107.59 covers refusal to submit to an alcohol test or to furnish drug or alcohol test results requested by the FAA or law enforcement. A warning letter, downgrading the certificate, and retesting are not the consequences described in the rule.14 CFR §107.59