1. Unit 1 Unmanned Aircraft
Module 1
1.1 Airports

2. 1.1 Airports Two types of airports Towered Non-towered Map Legend
Has a tower that controls the movement of aircraft in their airspace
Non-towered
No tower is present to exert control over the airspace
Map Legend

3. 1.1 Airports Airports can be divided into three general categories
Public Use Airports
Open to general public
Military / Federal Government Airports
Operated by Military, NASA, or other Federal Agency
Typically “Restricted” airspace
Private Airports
Designated for Restricted Use Only
Map Legend

4. 1.1 Airports Air Traffic Control (ATC)
Provides the safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic operations
Flight in B, C, D, E airspace requires a waiver from the FAA
Operation in the Vicinity of Airports
No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft in a manner that interferes with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport, or seaplane base.

5. 1.1 Airports Non-Towered Airports
No tower to control airspace around the airport
2-way communication is not required but suggested for pilots to communicate with each other
Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)
Designated for carrying out airport advisory practices while operating to and from an airport
Universal Integrated Community (UNICOM)
Nongovernment air/ground radio communication station can provide information for public use airports

6. 1.1 Airports Airport Data can be found in the following
Chart Supplement U.S.
Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)
Automated Terminal information Service (ATIS)
Aeronautical Charts

7. 1.1 Airports Chart Supplement U.S. Formerly Airport/Facility Directory
Has most comprehensive information on a given airport
Published in 7 books by region, updated every 56 days
Digital form
Has information on airports, heliports, and seaplane bases that are available to the public

8. 1.1 Airports 107.51 Operating limitations for small unmanned aircraft.
A remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small unmanned aircraft system must comply with all of the following operation limitations when operating a small unmanned aircraft system:
The groundspeed of the small unmanned aircraft may not exceed 87 knots (100 miles per hour)
The altitude of the small unmanned aircraft cannot be higher than 400 feet above ground level, unless the small unmanned aircraft:
Is flown within 400-foot radius of a structure; and
Does not fly higher than 400 feet above the structure’s immediate uppermost limit.
The minimum flight visibility, as observed from the location of the control station must be no less than 3 statute miles. For purposes of section, flight visibility means the average slant distance from the control station at which prominent unlighted objects may be seen and identified by day and prominent lighted objects may be seen and identified by night.
The minimum distance of the small unmanned aircraft from clouds must be no less than’
500 feet below the cloud; and
2,000 feet horizontally from the cloud

9. 1.1 Airports Notices to Airmen (NOTAM)
Allows for the immediate distribution of information on aeronautical charts, operations, or information
Contains information that may be used for flight preparation
Information may include:
Taxiway and runway closures
Construction
Communications
Changes in status of navigational aids
Additional information crucial to planned route, terminal, or landing operations
Hazards, such as air shows, parachute jumps, kite flying, and rocket launches
Flights by important people
Inoperable lights on tall obstructions
Temporary building of obstacles near an airfield
Passage of birds through airspace

10. 1.1 Airports Notices to Airmen (NOTAM)
Check for NOTAMs that may change flight plans
Several sources for NOTAMs are available, some are free others are not
Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (AOPA), offers free access to Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)

11. 1.1 Airports Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS)
Recording of local weather conditions and other related non-control information
Broadcast on local frequency in loop
Updated once per hour or as needed for weather changes
Broadcast may include:
Weather
Runways in use
ATC procedures
Airport construction activity
Each broadcast given a Code using Military Phonetics Alphabet starting with Alpha

12. 1.1 Airports Aeronautical Charts
Provides remote pilots with information about the areas for intended flight
Two charts used for Visual Flight Rules (VFR)
Sectional
VFR Terminal Area

13. 1.1 Airports Sectional Charts
Most commonly used for the detailed information contained within
Information includes:
A scale of 1:500,000 (1”=6.86 nautical miles (NM) or 8 Statute miles (SMI))
Airport data
Navigational Aids
Airspace
Topography
Information is color coded for ease of use

14. 1.1 Airports Sectional Charts Describes populated places Road
Railroads
Distinctive landmarks
Radio station aids
Airports
Controlled airspace
Restricted areas
Obstructions
Terrain data

15. 1.1 Airports Sectional Charts
Remote Pilots should check sectional charts for ATC frequencies and other additional information

16. 1.1 Airports Latitude and Longitude Latitude – based of the equator
Imaginary line that is equal distance from the north and south poles
Lines of latitude run parallel to equator and are measured in degrees north or south of the equator
Latitude runs from 0° at the equator to 90° at each pole
The lower 48 of the US is between 25° and 49° N latitude

17. 1.1 Airports Latitude and Longitude Longitude based on Meridians
Meridians are lines that connect the north and south poles at right angles to the equator
Prime meridian passes through Greenwich, England at the 0° marker
Measure East and West of the prime meridian in degrees from 0° to 180°
The contiguous 48 states are between 67° and 125°

18. 1.1 Airports
Preflight familiarization, inspection, and actions for aircraft operation.
Prior to flight, the remote pilot in command must:
Assess the operating environment, considering risks to persons and property in the immediate vicinity both on surface and in the air. This assessment must include:
(1) Local weather conditions;
(2) Local airspace and any flight restrictions
(3) The location of persons and property on the surface; and
(4) other ground hazards.
(b) Ensure that all persons directly participating in the small unmanned aircraft operation are informed about the operating conditions, emergency procedures, contingency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and potential hazards;
(c) Ensure that all control links between ground control station and the small unmanned aircraft are working properly;
(d) If the small unmanned aircraft is powered, ensure that there is enough available power for the small unmanned aircraft system to operate for the intended operational time; and
(e) Ensure that any object attached or carried by the small unmanned aircraft is secure and does not adversely affect the flight characteristics or controllability of aircraft.

19. 1.1 Airports
Variation
The angle between True North (TN) and Magnetic North (MN) is variation
Articulated as either east or west of true north
Magnetic North is near 71° N, 96° W

20. 1.1 Airports Antenna Towers
Less then 2000 feet AGL use extreme caution when around skeletal structures
Many are supported by guy wires
Guy wires can be very difficult to see
Skeletal structures should be given 2000 foot clearance, wires can extend out 1500 feet