5 Tricky Sectional Chart Questions | Part 107 Drone License Test Prep
Summary
This video explains challenging FAA airspace questions for drone pilots, using sectional charts to illustrate concepts. It covers altitude restrictions near towers, common traffic advisory frequencies (CTAF) when control towers are closed, identifying airspace classes (G, E, B) based on altitude and proximity to airports, and understanding Class B airspace floor altitudes. The presenter uses examples to demonstrate problem-solving techniques taught in their drone pilot ground school course, emphasizing the importance of understanding chart symbology.
Key Insights
Flyers can exceed 400 ft AGL near towers for inspection if within 400 ft of the tower.
To answer a question about the maximum allowed flight altitude near a group of under-construction towers 9 statute miles south of Norfolk International Airport (Figure 20, Area 1), one must: find the airport, measure 9 miles south, identify the group of obstructions icon, note its height (470 ft MSL / 453 ft AGL), and realize that under Part 107, you can fly up to 400 ft above the topmost part of the structure if you are within 400 ft horizontally. Therefore, the maximum altitude is 453 ft AGL + 400 ft = 853 ft AGL.
Maximum altitude near towers can place drones in Class E airspace.
To determine the airspace class while flying at the maximum allowable altitude (2549 ft MSL + 400 ft = 2949 ft MSL) 9 statute miles southwest of Dallas Executive Airport (Figure 25, Area 8), one must consider the airspace boundaries. Class B airspace begins at 3000 ft MSL in this area. Since 2949 ft MSL is below 3000 ft MSL, the drone operates in Class E airspace, not Class B.
Airports not within controlled airspace are in Class G up to 1200 ft AGL.
Question 4 asks to identify the airspace over Onawa Airport (K36) using Figure 78. This airport is located in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. The key point is to know that Class G airspace extends to 1200 ft AGL unless otherwise specified by markings like the magenta line indicating a 700 ft AGL transition. Since Onawa Airport lacks such markings, Class G extends to 1200 ft AGL before transitioning to Class E.
Sections
Introduction to FAA Airspace Questions
The video aims to demystify challenging FAA airspace questions for drone certification.
Alan from UAV Coach and Drone Pilot Ground School introduces the video's purpose: to walk through five challenging FAA airspace questions. The goal is to show prospective pilots what difficult questions look like and the methodology used in their self-paced test prep course. The questions are designed for beginners, despite their difficulty, to prepare them for the FAA's 'trickery'.
Test supplements include sectional charts crucial for FAA exams.
Before diving into questions, the presenter explains that FAA exams use a test supplement, a book containing maps like sectional charts. Many questions specifically reference these charts, such as figures 20, 25, and 78, which will be used in the video. These charts contain a vast amount of information requiring careful interpretation.
Question 1: Altitude Restriction Near Obstructions
Flyers can exceed 400 ft AGL near towers for inspection if within 400 ft of the tower.
To answer a question about the maximum allowed flight altitude near a group of under-construction towers 9 statute miles south of Norfolk International Airport (Figure 20, Area 1), one must: find the airport, measure 9 miles south, identify the group of obstructions icon, note its height (470 ft MSL / 453 ft AGL), and realize that under Part 107, you can fly up to 400 ft above the topmost part of the structure if you are within 400 ft horizontally. Therefore, the maximum altitude is 453 ft AGL + 400 ft = 853 ft AGL.
Identifying specific obstructions requires careful chart interpretation.
The first question involved locating Norfolk International Airport, measuring 9 statute miles south, and identifying the correct icon for a group of structures that are under construction. This process can be challenging due to the density of information and varied placement of labels on sectional charts. Practice with many similar questions helps develop familiarity.
The FAA's 400 ft AGL limit has an exception for proximity to towers.
The question highlights a nuance of the Part 107 regulation limiting drone flight to 400 ft Above Ground Level (AGL). If a drone is operating within 400 ft horizontally of a tower or obstruction, it is permitted to fly up to 400 ft above the highest point of that structure for inspection purposes. This allows for altitudes significantly higher than the standard 400 ft AGL in specific scenarios.
Question 2: Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)
The CTAF frequency is found left of the 'C' icon on sectional charts.
When Dallas Executive Airport's (RBD) tower is not in operation (Figure 25, Area 3), pilots should use the CTAF to monitor traffic. The CTAF frequency is typically listed to the left of the airport's icon, especially when a 'C' symbol indicates a control tower. For RBD airport, this frequency is 127.25.
Drone pilots must learn manned aviation frequencies for airspace integration.
The question requires identifying the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) for Dallas Executive Airport when its control tower is not operating. CTAF is used by manned aircraft pilots for self-announcement of position. While drone pilots don't typically transmit on CTAF, they can monitor it to understand manned aircraft activity, integrating into the national airspace system.
Question 3: Airspace Classification Near Dallas Executive Airport
Maximum altitude near towers can place drones in Class E airspace.
To determine the airspace class while flying at the maximum allowable altitude (2549 ft MSL + 400 ft = 2949 ft MSL) 9 statute miles southwest of Dallas Executive Airport (Figure 25, Area 8), one must consider the airspace boundaries. Class B airspace begins at 3000 ft MSL in this area. Since 2949 ft MSL is below 3000 ft MSL, the drone operates in Class E airspace, not Class B.
Class G airspace extends to 700 ft AGL in this specific area.
The question asks about the airspace class when flying at the maximum altitude near towers southwest of Dallas Executive Airport. The maximum altitude is calculated as 2549 ft MSL (highest obstruction) plus 400 ft, totaling 2949 ft MSL. In this region, Class B airspace begins at 3000 ft MSL. Below that, Class E airspace typically extends from 1200 ft AGL upwards. Given the calculated altitude of 2949 ft MSL, the operation falls within Class E airspace. Class G, uncontrolled airspace, exists from the surface up to 700 ft AGL in this particular location as indicated by the thick magenta circle.
Question 4: Airspace Over Onawa Airport
Airports not within controlled airspace are in Class G up to 1200 ft AGL.
Question 4 asks to identify the airspace over Onawa Airport (K36) using Figure 78. This airport is located in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. The key point is to know that Class G airspace extends to 1200 ft AGL unless otherwise specified by markings like the magenta line indicating a 700 ft AGL transition. Since Onawa Airport lacks such markings, Class G extends to 1200 ft AGL before transitioning to Class E.
Identifying airport locations on sectional charts can be difficult.
The presenter notes that locating the specific airport or city referenced in a question on a sectional chart can be challenging, referencing a personal experience where it took several minutes to find Onawa Airport. This highlights the need for familiarity with chart layouts and a systematic approach to searching.
Airspace definitions dictate transitions from Class G to Class E.
This question is a definition-style question, requiring knowledge of how airspace classes are defined. Specifically, it tests understanding of when Class G airspace transitions into Class E. Unless otherwise indicated (e.g., by a thick magenta line suggesting Class E starts at 700 ft AGL), Class G extends up to 1200 ft AGL, above which Class E operates up to 17,999 ft MSL.
Question 5: Floor of Class B Airspace at Fort Worth Alliance Airport
Fractional notation indicates Class B airspace floor and ceiling.
To find the floor of Class B airspace at Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW) in Figure 25, Area 4, one must locate the airport and identify the blue dashed line indicating Class B. Within this specific enclosed portion of Class B, a notation like '110 over 40' is present. This fraction signifies that the floor of this Class B airspace is 4000 ft MSL and the ceiling is 11,000 ft MSL. Therefore, the floor is 4000 ft MSL.
Class B airspace floor altitude varies based on proximity to the airport.
The question asks for the floor of Class B airspace at Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW). By examining the chart notation '110 over 40' within the Class B boundaries near AFW, the floor is determined to be 4000 feet MSL. The presenter explains that the floor of Class B airspace rises as one moves away from the airport, resembling an 'upside-down wedding cake'.
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