Trades Exam Prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 39, PAVE Checklist for Risk Management

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The PAVE checklist (Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External Pressures) is a foundational risk management tool for every drone flight. - The 'Pilot' assessment hinges on the IMSAFE checklist (Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion) to determine fitness for flight. - 'Aircraft' evaluation requires a thorough pre-flight inspection to confirm the drone is airworthy, including batteries, propellers, and firmware. - 'enVironment' analysis includes checking weather, terrain, obstacles, and, critically, airspace classifications and restrictions like TFRs. - Recognizing and resisting 'External Pressures', such as client demands or 'get-there-itis', is a key decision-making skill tested on the exam. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 38, The Five Hazardous Attitudes and Antidotes

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - To identify the five hazardous attitudes: Anti-Authority, Impulsivity, Invulnerability, Macho, and Resignation. - The specific antidote for each hazardous attitude and how to apply it during flight operations. - How scenario-based exam questions test your knowledge of Aeronautical Decision Making. - To differentiate between similar attitudes, like Macho and Invulnerability, to avoid common exam traps. - A helpful mnemonic, I'M AIR, to easily recall the five hazardous attitudes. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 37, Aeronautical Decision Making — DECIDE Model

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The DECIDE model is a six-step framework for systematic Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM). - The steps are: Detect, Estimate, Choose, Identify, Do, and Evaluate. - Exam questions will test your ability to apply the correct step to a given in-flight scenario, not just recite the acronym. - A common exam trap is confusing "Choose a desirable outcome" (the goal) with "Identify actions" (the specific steps to reach the goal). - The DECIDE model is the FAA's preferred structured approach over impulsive or "gut" reactions during emergencies like lost links or sudden weather changes. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 36, Load Factor and Performance Limits

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Load factor is the G-force stress on a drone's airframe during maneuvers. - A 60-degree banked turn imposes a 2 G load factor, effectively doubling the drone's weight on its structure. - Aggressive maneuvers, especially in wind, can push a drone beyond its structural load limits. - Drone performance charts assume a standard atmosphere and must be adjusted for density altitude. - High density altitude (from high elevation, heat, or humidity) reduces drone performance and its ability to handle high load factors. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 35, Battery Management and Flight Time

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How cold weather below 50°F dramatically reduces LiPo battery performance and flight duration. - The importance of landing with a 20-30% battery reserve to handle voltage sag and unexpected events. - Why you must never fly with a swollen or physically damaged battery due to extreme fire risk. - The critical difference between a manufacturer's ideal flight time and your actual, real-world flight time under load and in wind. - Proper long-term battery care, including storing LiPo batteries at a 50-60% charge level to maximize their lifespan. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 34, Effects of Exceeding Maximum Weight

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The absolute, non-waivable maximum takeoff weight for a small UAS under FAA Part 107 is less than 55 pounds. - How increased weight negatively impacts key performance areas like takeoff distance, climb rate, and maneuverability. - The direct relationship between aircraft weight, increased power consumption, and reduced flight endurance. - Why the FAA tests concepts like increased stall speed, even for multirotor drones, in relation to operating at higher weights. - A common exam trap involving cold weather operations and how reduced battery output compounds the dangers of flying a heavy aircraft. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 33, Center of Gravity and Why It Matters

Sun, 31 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The definition of Center of Gravity (CG) and its role as the aircraft's balance point. - How a forward CG increases a drone's stability but decreases its maneuverability and performance. - The significant dangers of an aft CG, which leads to instability and makes stall recovery extremely difficult. - That any change in payload requires the Remote Pilot in Command to verify the CG remains within the manufacturer's specified limits. - A simple mnemonic: 'Forward is forgiving, Aft is frightening,' to recall the handling characteristics for the exam. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 32, Microbursts, Wind Shear, Fog, and Icing

Sat, 30 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to identify a microburst by its intense, localized downdraft and why you must stay at least 20 nautical miles away from thunderstorms that could produce them. - The critical difference between various types of wind shear and where to expect this hazard during low-altitude drone operations. - The specific temperature and dew point spread that creates fog and how to differentiate between radiation, advection, and upslope fog on the exam. - The two essential conditions required for structural icing on a drone and why below-freezing temperatures alone are not enough. - A simple mnemonic to remember the relationship between temperature, dew point, and fog formation. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 31, Density Altitude and Drone Performance

Fri, 29 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - What density altitude truly means: it's the altitude your drone "feels" like it's at, not its actual height. - The three factors that increase density altitude and hurt performance: high elevation, high temperatures, and high humidity. - How high density altitude negatively impacts drone capabilities, leading to reduced climb rates and shorter flight times. - A common exam trap: high humidity makes air less dense, which worsens drone performance. - The mnemonic "HOT, HIGH, HUMID = HARD" to remember the causes and effects of high density altitude. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 30, Visibility, Cloud Clearance, and the 3 SM / 500 ft Rule

Thu, 28 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The absolute minimum weather requirements for Part 107 operations: 3 statute miles of visibility, 500 feet below clouds, and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds. - How the FAA exam tests the critical rule that visibility is measured from the Remote Pilot's control station, not the drone's camera. - Common exam traps involving official weather reports versus a pilot's subjective assessment of visibility. - Why Part 107 weather minimums are stricter and remain constant compared to the more lenient rules for manned aircraft in certain airspace. - A simple mnemonic, "3-5-2, from the pilot's view," to retain the core visibility and cloud clearance rules for your exam. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 29, Decoding TAFs

Wed, 27 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to correctly interpret a TAF's valid time period (e.g., 1212/1318) for flight planning. - The critical difference between a rapid change (FM) and a gradual change (BECMG) in weather conditions. - How temporary conditions (TEMPO) are tested against prevailing conditions on the exam. - The meaning of probability forecasts (PROB30/PROB40) and how they apply to your go/no-go decision. - Why a TAF is a forecast limited to a 5-statute-mile radius around an airport and not a real-time report. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 28, Decoding METARs

Tue, 26 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - That wind direction in a METAR is always reported in True North, a common exam trap. - Cloud base heights are given in feet Above Ground Level (AGL), not Mean Sea Level (MSL). - A ceiling is defined only as the first cloud layer reported as Broken (BKN) or Overcast (OVC). - The spread between temperature and dew point indicates moisture levels, with a small spread suggesting high humidity and potential for fog. - A SPECI report is a special, unscheduled update issued due to significant weather changes between routine METARs. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 27, Weather Sources — Where to Get a Briefing

Mon, 25 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The three primary, FAA-approved sources for obtaining a legal weather briefing (1-800-WX-BRIEF, aviationweather.gov, 1800wxbrief.com). - Why common sources like TV news and general weather apps are not acceptable for official pre-flight briefings. - The specific purposes and timing for requesting a Standard, Abbreviated, or Outlook weather briefing. - How Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) apps are treated and why the underlying data source is what matters for compliance. - A simple mnemonic to remember the official sources and avoid common exam traps related to weather information. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 26, CTAF Communication at Non-Towered Airports

Sun, 24 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - To locate the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF) for a non-towered airport in the Chart Supplement or on a sectional chart. - That while not mandatory for Part 107 pilots, monitoring CTAF and self-announcing your position is a critical safety best practice near airports. - How to interpret standard pilot announcements to build situational awareness of manned aircraft positions and intentions. - The difference between CTAF (pilot-to-pilot), UNICOM (air-to-ground advisory service), and MULTICOM (used when no other frequency is assigned). - That manned aircraft typically enter the traffic pattern at a 45-degree angle to the downwind leg, helping you anticipate their movements. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 25, Airport Markings, Beacons, and Wind Indicators

Sat, 23 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to identify civilian (white/green) versus military (white/white/green) airport beacons. - The critical difference between a wind sock, which points downwind, and a tetrahedron, which points into the wind. - How to interpret runway numbers as magnetic headings by adding a zero (e.g., Runway 27 equals 270°). - The function of a segmented circle and its L-shaped indicators for determining traffic pattern direction. - When to expect an airport's rotating beacon to be operational: from dusk until dawn and during daytime instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 24, Stadium TFRs, DC SFRA, and No-Fly Zones

Fri, 22 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The absolute prohibition of drone flights within the 15-nautical-mile Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) of the Washington DC SFRA. - How to apply the '3-3-1-1' rule for Stadium TFRs: a 3 NM radius, up to 3,000 feet AGL, from 1 hour before to 1 hour after an event. - The jurisdictional difference between the FAA (airspace) and the National Park Service (land use) regarding flights in National Parks. - The critical importance of checking for dynamic TFRs, such as those over wildfires, before every single flight. - Your responsibility as a Remote Pilot in Command to check NOTAMs and use tools like the B4UFLY app for pre-flight planning. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 23, NOTAMs and TFRs

Thu, 21 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - A NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) is a time-critical advisory about hazards or changes in the National Airspace System. - A TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) is a specific type of NOTAM that legally prohibits aircraft, including drones, from operating in a defined area for safety or security reasons. - Violating a TFR is a serious offense; always check official FAA sources for active TFRs before every flight. - Stadium TFRs apply to specific major sporting events, restricting flight within a 3 nautical mile radius and up to 3,000 feet AGL, from one hour before to one hour after the event. - The Part 107 exam tests your ability to differentiate a NOTAM's informational role from a TFR's restrictive power and to apply the specific parameters of stadium TFRs. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 22, Special Use Airspace — Prohibited, Restricted, MOAs

Wed, 20 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The absolute prohibition of flying in Prohibited Areas (P-) for Part 107 operators and why there are no exceptions. - How to determine if a Restricted Area (R-) is active by checking sectional chart notes and the requirement to get permission from the controlling agency. - The critical exam distinction between MOAs and Restricted Areas: entry into an MOA is allowed but requires extreme caution, while entry into an active Restricted Area is forbidden without permission. - How to identify these five types of Special Use Airspace on a sectional chart using their hatched borders and alphanumeric identifiers. - The mnemonic "Please Remember Why My Alerts matter" to recall the rules for Prohibited, Restricted, Warning, MOA, and Alert Areas. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 21, LAANC — Automatic Authorization

Tue, 19 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - What LAANC is and which specific types of controlled airspace it applies to (Class B, C, D, and surface E). - How UAS Facility Maps (UASFM) dictate the pre-approved altitude ceilings for automatic authorization. - The critical difference between an automatic LAANC authorization and a request requiring further coordination. - Common exam traps, such as misapplying LAANC to Class G airspace or misunderstanding a '0' altitude grid. - The process of using an approved third-party application to submit a LAANC request for near-real-time approval. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 20, Latitude, Longitude, and Chart Scale

Mon, 18 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - To differentiate latitude (flat, east-west lines measuring north-south) from longitude (long, north-south lines measuring east-west). - The method for reading degrees and minutes on a sectional chart to pinpoint a location's coordinates for an exam question. - To understand the 1:500,000 scale on a VFR sectional chart and its real-world translation to nautical and statute miles. - The practical steps for measuring distance between two points using the plotter scale provided in the FAA testing supplement. - How to avoid common exam traps, such as confusing nautical miles with statute miles when answering distance questions. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 19, Reading Sectional Charts — Symbols and Colors

Sun, 17 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Solid blue lines represent Class B airspace, while solid magenta lines represent Class C airspace. - Dashed blue lines indicate Class D airspace starting at the surface; dashed magenta lines show Class E airspace starting at the surface. - A fuzzy, shaded magenta vignette means Class E airspace begins at 700 feet AGL, with Class G airspace below it. - Blue airport icons signify an airport with a control tower, whereas magenta icons denote an airport without one. - The mnemonic 'Blue is for Busy' helps recall that blue symbols relate to the busiest, most controlled airspaces and airports. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 18, Class E and Class G Airspace

Sat, 16 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to identify Class E airspace starting at 700 ft AGL (magenta vignette) versus 1,200 ft AGL on a sectional chart. - The critical difference between a fuzzy magenta border and a dashed magenta line, and when LAANC authorization is required. - Why most Part 107 flights occur in Class G airspace and what that means for authorization. - The specific weather and cloud clearance minimums (3 statute miles visibility, 500 feet below clouds) that apply even in uncontrolled Class G airspace. - A simple mnemonic to avoid common exam traps related to Class E and G chart symbols. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 17, Class C and Class D Airspace

Fri, 15 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - To identify Class C airspace by its solid magenta lines and Class D by its dashed blue lines on a sectional chart. - To understand the 'upside-down wedding cake' structure of Class C airspace, with its surface core and outer shelf. - To recognize the typical dimensions of Class D airspace and how its ceiling is marked in feet MSL. - How to avoid the common exam trap of confusing Mean Sea Level (MSL) with Above Ground Level (AGL) for airspace ceilings. - That LAANC authorization is required for Part 107 drone flights in both Class C and Class D airspace. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 16, Class B Airspace — Where and Why

Thu, 14 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - How to identify Class B airspace on a sectional chart by its solid blue lines. - The meaning of the "upside-down wedding cake" structure and how to read its altitude floors and ceilings in MSL. - The absolute requirement for FAA authorization, primarily through LAANC, before any drone operation within Class B airspace. - How UAS Facility Maps dictate the maximum pre-approved flight altitudes for LAANC authorizations. - Common exam traps, including the critical difference between MSL and AGL altitudes and misidentifying airspace boundaries. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 15, Airspace Class Overview — A Through G

Wed, 13 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The fundamental difference between controlled (A, B, C, D, E) and uncontrolled (G) airspace for Part 107 drone operations. - How to identify the chart symbology for each airspace class, such as solid blue lines for Class B and dashed blue lines for Class D. - Which airspace classes always require LAANC authorization for drone flight, specifically Classes B, C, D, and surface-level Class E. - Common Part 107 exam traps, including the critical distinction between altitudes measured in Mean Sea Level (MSL) and Above Ground Level (AGL). - The specific rules for Class E airspace and how to determine its floor based on faded or dashed magenta lines on a sectional chart. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 14, The Waiver Process — FAA Form 7711-2

Tue, 12 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The specific Part 107 regulations that are eligible for a Certificate of Waiver, such as operating beyond visual line of sight or from a moving vehicle. - The critical regulations that can NEVER be waived, including the 55-pound maximum weight limit and the prohibition on careless operations. - The crucial difference between a long-lead-time waiver and a near-real-time LAANC airspace authorization, a common exam confusion point. - The requirement to submit a detailed safety case via the FAA DroneZone portal, proving an equivalent level of safety for your proposed operation. - The typical 90-day processing time for waivers and why this makes last-minute waived operations impossible. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 13, Careless, Reckless, and Hazardous Operations

Mon, 11 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - §107.23 prohibits both careless/reckless flying and dropping objects that create an undue hazard to people or property. - The FAA exam will test your ability to distinguish between careless (negligent) and reckless (willful disregard for safety) actions in operational scenarios. - Under §107.19 and §107.37, a small unmanned aircraft must always yield the right-of-way to all other aircraft, without any exceptions. - Exam questions often present scenarios with unpredictable manned aircraft; as the Remote PIC, your responsibility is always to see, avoid, and yield. - A helpful mnemonic, "Drones Don't Dominate," reinforces that drones are at the bottom of the aviation hierarchy and must give way to all other airborne vehicles. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 12, Alcohol, Drugs, and Medication Rules

Sun, 10 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Part 107 remote pilots must follow the same strict alcohol and drug rules as manned aircraft pilots, as specified in 14 CFR §91.17. - You must satisfy three separate alcohol rules: no flying within 8 hours of consumption, a blood alcohol level below 0.04%, and not being under the influence. - Any drug, including common over-the-counter medications like cold remedies with antihistamines, that affects your abilities in any way contrary to safety is prohibited. - The responsibility to determine if a medication is safe for flight rests solely with the pilot, as the FAA does not provide a definitive list of approved drugs. - Use the 'IMSAFE' mnemonic (Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Emotion) as a personal pre-flight checklist to assess your fitness to fly. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 11, Preflight Inspection Requirements

Sat, 09 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The Remote Pilot in Command (PIC) is always ultimately responsible for the preflight inspection, even if the task is delegated. - There is no standardized FAA-required preflight checklist; you must follow the drone manufacturer's recommended procedures. - Preflight assessment under §107.49 includes the operating environment, risks to people, aircraft condition, control links, sufficient power, and crew briefings. - "Sufficient power" means enough for the planned flight plus a reserve for contingencies, not just a full battery charge. - A common exam trap is the idea of an "FAA-approved checklist"; the correct answer always refers to manufacturer guidelines. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 10, Accident Reporting — The 10-Day, $500 Rule

Fri, 08 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - An FAA Part 107 accident report is required within 10 calendar days if specific injury or damage thresholds are met. - Any loss of consciousness, no matter how brief, automatically triggers the injury reporting requirement. - Property damage must exceed $500 to require a report, based on the lesser of repair cost or fair market value. - The value of the drone itself is explicitly excluded when calculating the $500 property damage threshold. - Reports must be submitted electronically via the official FAA DroneZone portal. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 9, Maximum Groundspeed — 100 mph (87 knots)

Thu, 07 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The maximum legal groundspeed for a drone under FAA Part 107 is 100 mph, which is equivalent to 87 knots. - Why the FAA exam focuses on groundspeed instead of airspeed, with wind being the key variable. - How to perform the essential exam calculation: Airspeed + Tailwind or Airspeed - Headwind to determine your true groundspeed. - To identify a common exam trap where a legal airspeed becomes an illegal groundspeed due to a strong tailwind. - A simple mnemonic for the test: "Tailwind adds, headwind subtracts, for the groundspeed facts." For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 8, Operations Over Moving Vehicles

Wed, 06 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Operations over moving vehicles are regulated under FAA Part 107.145. - Flying over moving vehicles is permitted within a closed or restricted-access site, provided all vehicle occupants are notified. - A drone meeting Category 1, 2, or 3 requirements may transit over moving vehicles on public roads. - Sustained flight over moving vehicles on public roads is prohibited, even with a categorized drone. - A key mnemonic to remember the exceptions is: 'Closed, Cat, or Cross.' For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 7, Operations Over People — Categories 1, 2, 3, 4

Tue, 05 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Category 1 drones must weigh 0.55 pounds or less and have no exposed rotating parts that could lacerate skin. - Categories 2 and 3 are defined by impact kinetic energy limits: 11 foot-pounds for Category 2 and 25 foot-pounds for Category 3. - A manufacturer's FAA-accepted Declaration of Compliance (DOC) is mandatory for operating under Categories 2 and 3. - Category 3 operations are prohibited over open-air assemblies and have strict rules against sustained flight over non-participating people. - Category 4 requires a specific FAA-issued airworthiness certificate under Part 21, distinguishing it from the other categories. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 6, Daylight and Civil Twilight Operations

Mon, 04 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The specific definition of civil twilight for Part 107 operations, which is the 30-minute window before sunrise and after sunset. - The mandatory anti-collision lighting requirement for both civil twilight and night flights must be visible for at least 3 statute miles. - Official sources like the Air Almanac or NOAA must be used to determine local sunrise and sunset times, not generic weather apps. - The unique rule for Alaska, where civil twilight times are determined by the Air Almanac, not the standard 30-minute rule. - A common exam trap is confusing the definitions and requirements of civil twilight versus full nighttime operations. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 5, Visual Line of Sight and Visual Observers

Sun, 03 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - VLOS must be maintained by the remote PIC using only natural vision, though corrective lenses are allowed. - Binoculars are prohibited for the primary purpose of maintaining Visual Line of Sight under §107.31. - A Visual Observer (VO) is mandatory when the remote PIC uses FPV goggles that obstruct their direct view of the drone. - Communication between the PIC and VO must be direct and unassisted by electronic devices. - The remote PIC is ultimately responsible for the flight and cannot regain lost VLOS solely through the Visual Observer's guidance. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 4, Maximum Altitude — The 400 Foot Rule

Sat, 02 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The default maximum altitude for drone operations is 400 feet Above Ground Level (AGL), not Mean Sea Level (MSL). - How the FAA Part 107 exam uses MSL elevations on sectional charts as a common trap to confuse test-takers. - The structure exception in §107.51 allows flight up to 400 feet above a structure's highest point. - To use the structure exception, the drone must stay within a 400-foot horizontal radius of the structure. - How other operating limitations, like cloud clearance rules, can override the maximum altitude allowed under the structure exception. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 3, Recurrent Training Every 24 Months

Fri, 01 May 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - Recurrent training is required every 24 calendar months, as mandated by 14 CFR §107.65. - The deadline for completion is the end of the 24th calendar month, not the specific anniversary date of your initial test. - Your Part 107 certificate itself does not expire, but your legal authority to fly lapses if your training is not current. - Recurrent training is now a free online course (ALC-677) on the FAASafety.gov website, replacing the old in-person test. - A simple mnemonic to remember the rule: "Two years to the end, my friend." For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 2, Eligibility and the Aeronautical Knowledge Test

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 02:13:10 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The four key eligibility requirements for a Part 107 certificate: age, language, fitness, and passing the exam. - The specific structure of the UAG knowledge test: 60 questions, 2 hours, and a 70% passing score. - How to calculate the exact number of correct answers needed to pass the exam, which is 42. - The correct sequence of events for certification: passing the test *before* undergoing the TSA background check. - A simple mnemonic, "Sweet 16, Test for 2, Score 70," to remember the core testing parameters. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep

FAA Part 107 Drone Exam Prep 1, Who Needs a Remote Pilot Certificate

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 02:09:00 -0700

This podcast is made by Ran Chen, who holds an EA license, Insurance and Securities licenses (Series 6, 63, 65), and the CFP® designation. He is passionate about opening access to high-quality exam preparation resources and helping learners prepare more effectively for professional certification exams. In this episode you will learn: - The purpose of a drone flight, not direct payment, determines if a Part 107 certificate is required. - Any flight conducted 'in furtherance of a business,' such as for internal documentation, is considered a commercial operation. - Using drone footage for a monetized social media channel is a commercial activity governed by Part 107. - Purely recreational flights are governed by 49 USC 44809 and require the operator to pass the TRUST safety test. - The FAA Part 107 exam uses tricky scenario-based questions to test your understanding of the commercial versus recreational distinction. For more free exam prep tools, practice questions, and AI-powered explanations, visit https://open-exam-prep.com/ or YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Open-exam-prep