UAS 307

I. Course Title: FAA Remote Pilot Exam Preparation

II. Course Number: UAS 307

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor

V. Course Description:

This course prepares students to pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part-107 exam to qualify as a Certified-Remote-Pilot-in-Command (RPIC). Certification by the FAA is required of all (UAS) pilots flying UAS for commercial purposes. All flights that generate revenue, regardless of intent, are considered commercial. This includes flights for a client, an employer, commercialization on social media, and much more. The RPIC certification carries many responsibilities, including mission safety and ethical behavior. Potential applications include geological mapping, geospatial science mapping, geophysics, archeology, engineering, forestry, agriculture, infrastructure, criminal justice, and disaster response, to mention only a few.

Note(s): Applied Learning designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) have become important tools for collecting high resolution imagery for a variety of applications in private, public, and commercial sectors. UAS can also serve as aerial platforms for other types of sensors including thermal, multispectral, laser, and more. Students will learn and be tested on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations regarding the commercial use of UAS. The course allows students to develop and strengthen skills that are presently in high demand in industry. The course does not cover, in detail, maintenance and flight operations of UAS or processing aerial imagery and data. Those topics are covered by other classes in the Radford University UAS program.

Arrangement of topics is as follows:

1. Introductions
a. FAA Training and Testing Procedures
b. Study References
c. Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft
d. Abbreviations and Acronyms
2. Regulations relating to small unmanned aircraft system rating privileges, limitations, and flight operation
3. Airspace classification, operating requirements, and flight restrictions affecting small unmanned aircraft operation
4. Aviation weather sources and effects of weather on small unmanned aircraft performance
5. Small unmanned aircraft loading
6. Emergency procedures
7. Crew resource management
8. Radio communication procedures
9. Determining the performance of small unmanned aircraft
10. Physiological effects of drugs and alcohol
11. Aeronautical decision-making and judgment
12. Airport operations
13. Maintenance and preflight inspection procedures
14. Final Project Presentations

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

The course will consist of three hours of lecture time. Lectures will emphasize topics, determined by the Federal Aviation Administration, to be critical to the safe operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the national airspace.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

The goal of this course is to prepare students for careers that require knowledge and experience conducting safe flight operations in real-world settings using unmanned aerial systems (UAS), also known as drones. Specifically, this course covers all topics included in FAA-G-8082-22: Remote Pilot - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Study Guide, supplemented by additional resources.

Objectives: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

Demonstrate proficiency with FAA rules and regulations through exercises, quizzes, and practice tests covering the topics above.
Pass the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot in Command exam at an approved FAA testing center, with a minimum score of 70%.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

The student will be assessed according to her/his competence demonstrated in completing: (1) exercises, quizzes, and practice tests; and, (2) score on the FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot in Command.

Review and Approval

August 2020

March 01, 2021