Airspace and sectional charts are the topics that sink the most candidates, and together they make up roughly a third of the questions. The exam hands you excerpts from a real sectional chart in a figure supplement and asks you to identify airspace, find frequencies, and read terrain and obstacle data.
For drones the practical question is almost always the same: do I need authorization to fly here? In controlled airspace (Classes B, C, D, and the surface area of E) the answer is yes, and you get it through LAANC or the FAA DroneZone. In uncontrolled airspace (Class G) you generally do not need authorization, though all the other Part 107 rules still apply.
Learn the chart shorthand: solid blue rings are Class B, solid magenta rings are Class C, dashed blue is Class D, dashed magenta marks Class E starting at the surface, and a magenta vignette (faded shading) marks Class E starting at 700 ft AGL. Knowing the colors and line styles is most of the battle.
Key facts to memorize
| Concept | What to know |
|---|---|
| Class B | Surrounds the busiest airports. Solid blue lines on the chart. Drone authorization required (LAANC where available). |
| Class C | Busy airports with a control tower and radar. Solid magenta lines. Authorization required. |
| Class D | Smaller towered airports. Dashed blue lines. Authorization required. |
| Class E | Controlled airspace not B/C/D. Dashed magenta = Class E to the surface (auth required); magenta vignette = Class E from 700 ft AGL. |
| Class G | Uncontrolled airspace. No ATC authorization needed for drones, but all other Part 107 rules still apply. |
| LAANC | Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability: near-instant approval to fly in controlled airspace, up to published grid ceilings. |
| Airport markers | Blue airport symbols have a control tower; magenta airport symbols do not. |
| Latitude/longitude & scale | Sectional charts use a 1:500,000 scale; tick marks along the lat/long lines help you measure distance. |
Flashcards
Active recall beats re-reading. Flip each card, say the answer out loud, then check yourself.
Card 1 / 8
0 marked known
Quick self-check
A short drill on this module. You get the explanation the moment you answer.
0 / 3 answered
You plan to fly inside a ring drawn with solid magenta lines. What airspace is this, and what must you do?
A faded magenta shaded area on a sectional chart tells you that Class E airspace begins at what altitude?
What is the fastest way for a Part 107 pilot to get authorization to fly in most controlled airspace?
Original practice material, not the actual FAA exam questions.
Listen to this module
The Airspace & Charts podcast episode: study on the go.
Test yourself
Take the full Part 107 practice exam.
Study material current as of June 2026 and sourced from the FAA (14 CFR Part 107 and FAA UAS guidance). Flashcards and quiz items are original practice material, not the actual FAA exam questions. Educational, not legal advice. Verify current rules at faa.gov/uas before you fly.