DRTS Instructor Theory flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Part 107 maximum groundspeed

The maximum groundspeed for a small unmanned aircraft under Part 107 is 87 knots, which equals 100 miles per hour. Exceeding this limit is a regulatory violation.

Maximum small UAS weight

A small unmanned aircraft under Part 107 may weigh no more than 55 pounds at takeoff, including everything onboard or attached to the aircraft.

Class G without authorization

Class G airspace generally does not require FAA airspace authorization for Part 107 operations, but the remote pilot must still comply with all other Part 107 rules and any TFRs.

LAANC purpose

The Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability lets remote pilots request and receive near-real-time airspace authorization in participating controlled airspace up to published facility map altitudes.

Recurrent knowledge test interval

A remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating requires recurrent knowledge training or testing every 24 calendar months to maintain currency for Part 107 operations.

Visual line of sight definition

Visual line of sight means the remote pilot in command or a visual observer can see the aircraft unaided, except for corrective lenses, at all times during flight.

Right-of-way for small UAS

A small unmanned aircraft must yield the right-of-way to all manned aircraft and may not pass over, under, or ahead of a manned aircraft unless well clear.

Preflight inspection purpose

A preflight inspection verifies airframe, propellers, motors, batteries, control links, and software before flight, and identifies discrepancies that must be resolved before launch.

Crew briefing contents

A crew briefing assigns roles, states airspace and altitudes, defines lost-link and return-to-home behavior, identifies emergency landing areas, and sets abort criteria.

Numeric weather thresholds

Go/no-go weather criteria should be stated as numbers, such as maximum sustained wind, gust spread, visibility, ceiling, and temperature limits for the aircraft and batteries.

Battery reserve planning

Plan to land with a reserve capacity margin, commonly at least 20 to 30 percent, because voltage sag under load and cold temperatures reduce usable battery capacity.

Return-to-home verification

Before relying on return-to-home, verify the home point is current and the set return altitude clears all obstacles along the expected return path.

In-flight emergency deviation

A remote pilot in command may deviate from Part 107 rules to the extent necessary to respond to an in-flight emergency and must report the deviation to the FAA on request.

Public safety COA

A Certificate of Waiver or Authorization issued to a public safety agency defines approved aircraft, operating areas, altitudes, and special provisions that may differ from Part 107.

Incident command UAS check-in

UAS crews should check in through the incident command system, receive an air operations assignment, and deconflict altitude and geography with manned aviation.

Flyaway response steps

A flyaway response records last known position and predicted path, notifies the chain of command, and reports the event to the FAA and local law enforcement as required.

Emergency landing priority

Emergency landing site selection prioritizes protecting people on the ground over protecting hardware, favoring a controlled descent with warning over uncontrolled impact.

Adult learning relevance

Adult learners need to see why content matters, connect it to their experience, and apply it soon, so instruction should be problem-centered and immediately useful.

Cognitive load sequencing

Working memory handles only a few novel elements at once, so instruction should sequence from simple to complex and chunk procedures into manageable steps.

Three learning domains

Learning objectives fall into cognitive knowledge, psychomotor skill, and affective attitude domains; each objective should name the domain and an observable performance.

Scenario-based training value

Scenario-based training places learners in realistic decisions, which improves transfer to actual operations compared with lecture-only delivery of the same content.

Effective feedback traits

Effective feedback is specific, timely, and focused on observable behavior, and it pairs correction with a demonstration of the correct performance.

Criterion-referenced scoring

Criterion-referenced scoring compares a learner's performance to a fixed standard rather than to other learners, which suits certification and qualification training.

Assessment validity and reliability

Validity means an assessment measures what the objective states; reliability means it produces consistent results across different raters and occasions.

Item difficulty and discrimination

Item difficulty is the proportion answering correctly; discrimination describes how well an item separates high and low performers. Flag items that are too easy, too hard, or non-discriminating.

Practical evaluation checklist

A practical evaluation uses observable standards such as altitude and heading tolerances and completion without instructor intervention, recorded on a standardized task checklist.

Training record contents

Training records typically document date, aircraft, maneuvers practiced, duration, instructor identity, and outcome, and should be completed contemporaneously and retained per policy.

Risk formula

Risk is assessed as severity multiplied by likelihood; each hazard is rated on both axes before deciding to accept, mitigate, or avoid the operation.

CRM core elements

Crew resource management includes communication, situational awareness, workload management, decision-making, team briefing, and appropriate assertiveness among crew members.

Authority gradient effect

A steep authority gradient discourages junior crew from speaking up; explicit invitations to challenge and standard callouts flatten the gradient and improve safety.

Hazardous attitudes and antidotes

Hazardous attitudes such as impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, resignation, and anti-authority are countered by specific antidotes like 'not so fast' and 'it could happen to me'.

Instructor recordkeeping duty

Instructors must deliver the approved curriculum, evaluate to the published standard, and maintain accurate, timely records of learner progress and outcomes.