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Flight Desk

Review

Glossary & memory sheet

High-value terms, limits, weather codes, and memory aids.

Core numbers to verify and know

Item Baseline Part 107 value
Small UAS takeoff weight Less than 55 lb, including attached/onboard items
Certificate eligibility 16 years old
Knowledge-test eligibility 14 years old
UAG test 60 questions; 2 hours; 70% pass
Failed-test waiting period 14 calendar days
Passing AKTR application validity 24 calendar months
Recurrent training interval Previous 24 calendar months
Maximum groundspeed 87 knots / 100 mph
General altitude limit 400 ft AGL, subject to structure provision
Flight visibility 3 statute miles
Cloud clearance 500 ft below; 2,000 ft horizontal
Night anti-collision visibility At least 3 statute miles
Alcohol 8 hours; less than 0.04%; never while impaired
Qualifying accident report Within 10 calendar days

Numbers are memory prompts, not a complete rule. Always learn the conditions and exceptions around each value.

Acronyms

Term Meaning
ACS Airman Certification Standards
AGL / MSL Above Ground Level / Mean Sea Level
ADM / CRM Aeronautical Decision-Making / Crew Resource Management
ADS-B Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast
AKTR Airman Knowledge Test Report
ASOS / AWOS Automated Surface / Weather Observing System
ATC / ATIS Air Traffic Control / Automatic Terminal Information Service
CTAF Common Traffic Advisory Frequency
FAASTeam FAA Safety Team
FRIA FAA-Recognized Identification Area
FTN FAA Tracking Number
IACRA Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application
LAANC Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability
METAR / TAF Aviation observation / terminal forecast
NAS National Airspace System
NOTAM / TFR Notice to Air Missions / Temporary Flight Restriction
PIC Pilot in Command
RID Remote Identification
sUAS Small Unmanned Aircraft System
UAG Unmanned Aircraft General – Small knowledge test
UNICOM Nongovernment airport advisory communication station
VLOS / VO Visual Line of Sight / Visual Observer

Five fast distinctions

  • Certificate vs. recency: holding a card is different from being current to operate.
  • Waiver vs. authorization: waiver relieves a specified rule; airspace authorization permits access to specified controlled airspace under conditions.
  • Observation vs. forecast: METAR reports; TAF forecasts.
  • Legal vs. safe: regulatory limits are outer boundaries, not mission targets.
  • Remote PIC vs. person manipulating controls: the remote PIC retains final authority and responsibility even when another person operates the sticks.