8.2 Emergency Operations -WG Practice Questions

You’re flying an unmanned aircraft, and a helicopter enters your airspace. What should you do?

• Nothing, you have the right of way.

• Yield the right of way to the helicopter.

• Position your UA toward the helicopter, then turn to the right and maintain situational awareness.

Answer explanation

As a Remote PIC, it’s your responsibility to remain clear of and to yield right-of-way to all manned aircraft.

When using a small UA in a commercial operation, who is responsible for briefing the participants about emergency procedures?

• The FAA inspector-in-charge.

• The lead visual observer.

• The remote PIC.

Answer explanation

As a remote PIC, you are ultimately responsible for briefing the participants--your clients, your crew members, other ground-based crew, etc.--about emergency procedures.

In any sUAS flight emergency, rule #1 is to:

• land the aircraft as soon as possible.

• regain visual line-of-sight and approach the landing zone.

• maintain aircraft control.

Answer explanation

If you encounter an emergency situation while flying, rule #1 is to maintain your aircraft control.

Wingtip vortices created by large aircraft tend to

• sink below the aircraft generating turbulence.

• rise into the traffic pattern.

• rise into the takeoff or landing path of a crossing runway.

Answer explanation

Wingtip vortices are circular patterns of rotating air left behind the wing of a large aircraft as it generates lift. The vortices are greatest when the aircraft is heavy, slow and developing full power, such as takeoff. In this case, the wingtip vortices tend to sink below the aircraft generating turbulence.

A good site survey might be done days in advance and could include:

• A) A look around for local hazards such as towers, power lines, trees, and other structures

• B) A look at areas where there may be foot traffic and patterns of vehicle traffic entering or exiting the site

• C) Both A and B

Answer explanation

Part of preparing for an emergency is conducting a site survey to understand the environment that you’ll be operating in. A good site survey might be done days in advance. You might look at:

*Local hazards such as towers, power lines, trees, and other structures.

*Structures made of steel or thick concrete that may block the communication signal between your remote controller and aircraft.

*High voltage power lines, power stations, and any type of transmission tower that may introduce electromagnetic interference (EMF) where you’ll be flying. Watch your flight app for advisories.

*Primary and alternate take off and landing locations away from high traffic areas and where there may be underground metal pipes or steel rebar.

*Traffic patterns of people or vehicles that may put your flight at risk

*A look at any non-participatory bystanders that may not be aware of what you are doing and be distracted or afraid of what you are doing

*A look at wind obstructions that can create turbulence - such as narrow openings between buildings