Why this domain matters
Operations and aeronautical decision-making (ADM) makes up 25% of the current scored blueprint. Where Regulations tests fixed limits, Operations tests judgment: how you run a safe flight and how you manage the human factors that cause most accidents.
How it works
Under the normal visual-line-of-sight rule, the remote PIC, person at the controls, and any visual observer must each be able to see the drone throughout flight. The PIC and person at the controls must both keep that visual observation throughout flight. A visual observer may do this instead. Glasses or contacts may be used; a video feed is not a substitute. Do not operate from a moving aircraft. A moving land or water vehicle is allowed only over a sparsely populated area, with no carriage of another person's property for compensation or hire. Each PIC, person at the controls, and observer may serve only one drone at a time. Yield to all other aircraft.
Night and over-people operations are now part of the standard rules. Night flight is allowed if your drone has an anti-collision light visible for at least 3 statute miles and you have completed the updated training. Flying over people is governed by four categories based on the drone's weight and injury risk. ADM itself uses checklists and the IMSAFE personal-minimums check to catch hazardous attitudes (anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, resignation) before they cause an incident.
ADM mission board
Turn operations questions into a PIC decision
This board checks selected conditions, not launch permission. It assumes a current pilot, no alcohol or drug impairment, and BAC below 0.04%. A selected aircraft category must meet all its requirements, including weight, labels, and operating limits. Verify the remaining flight rules at the site.
Load a scenario
Over-people category
Do not fly over non-participants unless they are directly involved or protected.
Radio pattern translator
South of runway, heading north
Runway 36 points roughly north. On final, the aircraft approaches from the south.
Hazardous attitude antidotes
Follow the rules. They are usually right.
PIC decision
Ready with checks
Immediate action
- Brief the crew, check NOTAMs, launch only if site hazards stay controlled.
Your call first
Pick the answer before you read the explanation.
No selected condition violates the standard operating rules.
IMSAFE prompt
Before launch, say the six checks out loud: illness, medication, stress, alcohol, fatigue, emotion. The exam rewards that mindset.
Interactive night vision lab
Train your eyes, not just the answer.
Drag the gaze reticle. The white point is the dim aircraft or drone light. This simulation exaggerates the effect so the FAA techniques are easy to see.
Key facts to memorize
| Concept | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visual line of sight (VLOS) | Under the normal rule, the remote PIC, person at the controls, and any visual observer must each be able to see the drone throughout flight. The PIC and person at the controls must both keep that visual observation throughout flight. A visual observer may do this instead. Glasses or contacts may be used. |
| Right of way | A small UAS must always yield the right of way to all other aircraft, manned or unmanned. |
| One aircraft at a time | At any one time, a person may serve only one small unmanned aircraft as remote PIC, at the controls, or as visual observer. A waiver is needed to depart from that rule. |
| Night operations | Meet the updated night knowledge test or training rule. Use an anti-collision light visible for at least 3 statute miles with a flash rate that helps avoid collisions. For safety, the PIC may dim it but may not turn it off. |
| Operations over people | There are four categories, each with aircraft and flight rules. Category 1 must weigh ≤0.55 lb with all fitted items throughout flight. It must have no exposed rotating parts that could cut skin on impact. |
| Operating from moving vehicles | Never operate from a moving aircraft. From a moving land or water-borne vehicle, operate only over a sparsely populated area and never while transporting another person's property for compensation or hire. Flight over occupants of moving vehicles is governed separately by section 107.145. |
| Hazardous attitudes (ADM) | Anti-authority, impulsivity, invulnerability, macho, and resignation; recognize and counter each. |
| IMSAFE checklist | Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion: a personal pre-flight fitness self-check. |
| Alcohol/drugs | The PIC, person at the controls, and observer must not serve within 8 hours of alcohol, while under its influence, or with a BAC of 0.04% or higher. They must not use any drug that impairs safe performance. |
| CTAF/UNICOM/ATIS | Monitor airport frequencies for situational awareness: CTAF for advisory calls, UNICOM for airport info, ATIS for weather and runway status at towered fields. |
| Radio language | Know the phonetic alphabet, aircraft call signs, runway numbers, left/right traffic, and calls for downwind, base, final, and clear of runway. |
| Airport operations | Know towered vs. non-towered airports, runway markings, traffic patterns, SIDA/security areas, airport lighting, and seaplane/heliport symbols. |
| Airport data | Read airport name, elevation, runway orientation/length, lighting, CTAF, UNICOM, tower, and ATIS clues before operating nearby. |
| Wildlife hazards | Bird and wildlife activity can create collision hazards; wildlife strikes by aircraft are reportable through FAA wildlife-strike channels. |
| Lithium batteries | Inspect, transport, charge, and store batteries carefully. Damaged or swelling packs can ignite and are a major emergency hazard. |
| Lost link/GPS loss | Brief return-to-home, hover, land, and manual-control responses before launch. GPS loss can change position-hold and navigation behavior. |
| Radio-frequency limits | Understand controller frequency limitations, interference, antenna orientation, and terrain or structure masking. |
| Maintenance records | Follow manufacturer maintenance instructions, document meaningful repairs/updates, and verify Category 2/3 Declaration of Compliance where applicable. |
| Night scan pattern | Scan roughly 30-degree sectors with brief 2- to 3-second stops and about 10 degrees of overlap. Do not stare at one point. |
| Off-center viewing | A dim target is easier to detect at night when you look about 10 degrees above, below, or beside it rather than directly at it. |
| Distracting light | Avert your gaze from a bright or flickering source while maintaining aircraft awareness. Return-to-home is not the human-factors answer; safely terminate the flight if VLOS cannot be maintained. |
| Dark adaptation | Bright light quickly degrades night vision. Use the minimum practical light and allow time for your eyes to readapt after glare. |
Flashcards
Active recall beats re-reading. Flip each card, say the answer out loud, then check yourself. Prefer paper? See all five flashcard decks.
UAG V / Operations & ADM
25% of scored items
01 / 21
21 learning / 0 known
Quick self-check
A short drill on this module. You get the explanation the moment you answer.
0 / 9 answered
Your drone and a small manned helicopter are converging at the same altitude. What must you do?
Which statement about night operations under current Part 107 rules is correct?
A pilot thinks 'rules are for other people' and skips the airspace check. Which hazardous attitude is this?
You hear 'left base runway one eight' on CTAF near a non-towered airport. What does that tell you?
You monitor UNICOM and hear wind, runway in use, fuel location, and no reported traffic. What should you conclude?
Which item belongs in a night preflight inspection?
A dim aircraft light seems to disappear when you stare directly at it. What technique should you use?
What is the recommended general visual scanning pattern at night?
A bright ground light starts distracting you while you monitor the drone at night. What is the best immediate human-factors response?
Original practice material, not the actual FAA exam questions.
Review this module podcast
Listen to the Operations & ADM episode or read the full transcript.
Practice this topic
Work explained Operations & ADM questions before the full simulator.
Study material reviewed October 13, 2026 and sourced from the FAA (14 CFR Part 107, FAA UAS guidance, AC 90-48E, and current PSI test 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.