Contingency Planning & Airspace Safety
What is the primary goal of a contingency plan in RPAS operations?
Ensure the safe continuation or termination of a flight when unexpected events or abnormalities occur.
What does the RACE acronym stand for in fire response?
R – Rescue/Remove: Move anyone in immediate danger to safety.
A – Alarm/Alert: Activate the fire alarm and call emergency services.
C – Confine/Contain: Close doors and windows to slow the spread of smoke and fire.
E – Extinguish/Evacuate: Use an extinguisher only if safe and trained; otherwise evacuate.
What is the minimum recommended crew size for RPAS operations and why?
Typically two people
a Remote Pilot-in-Command (RPIC) and a Visual Observer (VO) — because this configuration supports safer and more effective mission management.
What does the I’M SAFE assessment check for before flight?
Physically and mentally fit to fly
Illness – Any sickness that could impair judgment or performance.
Medication – Whether any prescription or over‑the‑counter drugs could cause impairment.
Stress – Psychological pressures that may reduce cognitive performance.
Alcohol – Ensuring compliance with regulations and confirming no residual impairment.
Fatigue – Lack of adequate rest, which can severely degrade performance.
What are the four steps of the 4R debriefing flow?
1. Review - What happened during the mission — the facts, events, and outcomes.
2. Reflect - Why things happened the way they did — decisions, actions, and contributing factors.
3. Revise - Identify what should change — procedures, behaviors, communication, or planning.
4. Re‑run - Apply the improved plan — how the next mission will be executed differently based on what was learned.
Name two groups that contingency plans in aviation aim to protect.
the flying public
air traffic service personnel.
What are the four steps of the PASS method for using a fire extinguisher?
Pull the pin
Aim at the base of the fire
Squeeze the handle
Sweep side to side
Name three elements included in the OBJECTIVES acronym for crew briefing.
Answers will vary:
O – Objectives: Clarifying the mission goals and what the crew must accomplish.
C – Communication: Establishing how the crew will communicate, including call‑outs and coordination expectations.
T – Threats: Identifying potential hazards or operational risks that could affect the mission.
Why is recency of experience important for RPAS pilots?
To ensure they maintain current aeronautical knowledge and remain competent to operate safely.
What information must be included in an incident report? Name three required items.
Answers will vary:
A description of the incident
Date and time of the occurrence
Identification of the aircraft/operator involved
What does the '500 ft Away' concept refer to in airspace safety?
Safe separation distance between drones and manned aircraft
What is the first priority after a post-LOC (Loss of Control) crash landing?
The first priority is ensuring safety at the crash site, specifically by securing the area and checking for injuries or hazards.
What is a shared mental map in the context of crew coordination?
Shared mental model of each task
Common understanding of the situation, tasks, roles, and expectations that all crewmembers hold, allowing them to work together smoothly and safely.
List two operational factors that can raise risk during a mission.
Collision hazards
Operational threats
What is the purpose of an After Action Report (AAR)?
Evaluate what happened during an incident or exercise, identify successes, document lessons learned, and recommend improvements for future operations.
List two key response priorities in an air traffic conflict.
Preventing collisions by maintaining safe separation between aircraft, which is identified as the primary purpose of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system.
Ensuring a safe, orderly, and expeditious flow of air traffic, which ATC must provide in addition to collision prevention.
If a mid-air collision risk exists, what is the immediate action to take?
Follow the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) Resolution Advisory (RA) immediately and correctly.
Why is it important to solicit input from the crew before launch?
Ensure that everyone shares the same understanding of the mission, risks, roles, and constraints,
What is the FRAT tool used for?
Evaluate the level of risk
Flight
Risk
Assessment
Tool
What is the difference between internal and external incident reporting?
Internal reporting is for your organization.
External reporting is for regulators or authorities.
What is the purpose of identifying hold points during flight planning?
To pre‑determine safe locations where the aircraft can pause or wait if needed, helping maintain safety and order in the operation.
How long must incident records be kept according to standard reporting requirements?
No fixed number of days
Preserved and retained until the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) authorizes their release.
What is the main benefit of using checklists and the communication loop in operations?
They reduce human error and ensure critical tasks are completed correctly and consistently, which directly improves operational safety.
What is the stop-work trigger related to lightning during operations?
As soon as you hear thunder all outdoor operations must stop and personnel must move to a safe, fully enclosed shelter
When thunder roars, go indoors!
Why is it important not to relaunch until the root cause of an incident is found?
You risk repeating the same failure