Targeted Content Review — FAA Part 107 and Airspace Regulations

Why This Material Matters

The FAA Part 107 knowledge test covers a broad range of topics, but airspace interpretation and weather decoding account for a large share of exam questions and, more importantly, for most real-world flight-safety decisions. A remote pilot who misreads a sectional chart or misjudges a METAR can fly into controlled airspace without authorization, violate temporary flight restrictions, or launch into deteriorating conditions. Errors have legal and safety consequences. Master this content thoroughly before your exam date.

Airspace Classification: Classes B Through G

US airspace is divided into classes. Understanding each class determines where you may fly a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) and what authorization, if any, you need.

Class B surrounds the nation's busiest airports. It looks like an upside-down wedding cake on a sectional chart — solid blue lines with altitude ceilings and floors labeled in hundreds of feet MSL (e.g., 100/SFC means surface to 10,000 ft MSL). No sUAS operation is permitted in Class B without prior FAA authorization.

Class C surrounds airports with a moderate level of operations. It shows as solid magenta circles, typically with an inner ring from the surface to 4,000 ft AGL and an outer shelf. Authorization is required for sUAS.

Class D is depicted with dashed blue lines and surrounds airports with an operating control tower. It typically extends from the surface to 2,500 ft AGL. Authorization is required for sUAS operations within Class D.

Class E is controlled airspace that is not B, C, or D. Much of the low-altitude airspace above 1,200 ft AGL is Class E. Dashed magenta lines on a sectional indicate a Class E surface area. Magenta vignette (shading) indicates Class E beginning at 700 ft AGL. No authorization is required for sUAS operations in Class E, but weather minimums (3 SM visibility, 500 ft below/1,000 ft above/2,000 ft horizontal from clouds) still apply.

Class G is uncontrolled airspace, generally from the surface to either 700 or 1,200 ft AGL depending on location. No authorization is required, but visibility must be at least 3 SM and cloud clearance requirements still apply under Part 107.

Restricted and Prohibited Areas are shown on sectionals with blue hatching. Prohibited areas (P-xxx) may never be entered without explicit permission. Restricted areas (R-xxx) require coordination with the controlling agency. Always check NOTAMs and TFRs before any flight.

Mode C Veil is a 30 NM radius around the primary airport of certain Class B airspace. Within the veil, manned aircraft must have altitude-reporting transponders; for sUAS operators, the veil itself is not a prohibition, but it signals dense traffic and reinforces the need for LAANC authorization if Class B or C airspace is present.

LAANC Authorization

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is the automated system that provides near-real-time authorization to fly sUAS in controlled airspace. Using an FAA-approved LAANC provider app, you select your operation location and altitude. The system checks UAS Facility Maps (UASFMs), which show the maximum altitude the FAA has pre-approved for automated authorization at each grid cell. If your planned altitude is at or below the UASFM ceiling, authorization is typically instant. If you need a higher altitude, you must apply through the FAA DroneZone portal and wait for manual review. Always obtain and retain your authorization record before flight.

Reading METAR and TAF Reports

A METAR is an aviation routine weather observation, issued hourly. A simplified decode:

`KPHX 121556Z 27015KT 10SM CLR 34/05 A2992 RMK AO2`

• KPHX — Phoenix Sky Harbor
• 121556Z — 12th day, 1556 UTC
• 27015KT — wind from 270° at 15 knots
• 10SM — visibility 10 statute miles
• CLR — sky clear below 12,000 ft
• 34/05 — temperature 34 °C, dew point 5 °C
• A2992 — altimeter 29.92 in Hg

A TAF is a terminal aerodrome forecast covering a 24- or 30-hour period in the same basic code format. It includes BECMG (becoming — a gradual change) and TEMPO (temporary, less than half the period) groups.

Winds-aloft forecasts (FB) are issued by the Aviation Weather Center. They give wind direction in degrees true, speed in knots, and temperature in Celsius at selected altitudes. For sUAS, the 3,000 ft and 6,000 ft columns are most relevant. A code of 9900 means winds are light and variable.

A SIGMET (Significant Meteorological Information) warns of severe icing, severe turbulence, volcanic ash, or tropical cyclones. If a SIGMET covers your operating area, do not fly.

Part 107 Regulations: Key Points

• Maximum groundspeed: 87 knots (100 mph)
• Maximum altitude: 400 ft AGL (or within 400 ft of a structure)
• Daylight and civil twilight operations (with anti-collision lighting visible for 3 SM)
• Visual line of sight (VLOS) must be maintained by the remote PIC or a visual observer
• Remote PIC must be at least 16 years old, hold a current Part 107 certificate, and be registered with the FAA if the sUAS weighs more than 0.55 lb
• Prohibited operations include flying over moving vehicles, people not directly participating, or from a moving vehicle (unless in a sparsely populated area)
• Waivers are available for many of these restrictions through FAA DroneZone

Loading and Performance

Weight affects climb rate, endurance, and stopping distance on landing. The FAA knowledge test may present a table or chart showing how payload and density altitude affect hover endurance or maximum operating altitude. Read the chart row and column carefully, interpolate linearly if needed, and always apply the most conservative (limiting) value.

Safety Reminders

Before every flight, conduct a pre-flight risk assessment: check airspace, NOTAMs, TFRs, weather, and aircraft condition. Keep bystanders outside the flight area. If anything is uncertain — airspace class, weather, aircraft status — do not fly. The remote PIC has final authority and final responsibility.