USI EXAM STUDY QUESTIONS 2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS &
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW
What is "Ground Sample Distance? - correct answer ✔✔The size of a pixel projected on the ground.
What variables make up the formula for calculating "Ground Sample Distance? - correct answer
✔✔Sensor altitude, sensor width, image width, focal length
Can you compare the relative and absolute accuracy of geospatial data used in RPAS operations? -
correct answer ✔✔Relative accuracy is the consistency of spatial relations in images and absolute is the
accuracy relative to known ground coordinates
What do "camera depression angle" and "azimuth" mean in the context of RPAS operations? - correct
answer ✔✔Depression angle is the angle from the sensor to the ground and azimuth is the angle on the
horizontal plane, or left and right
What is the difference between a low oblique and a high oblique aerial image? - correct answer ✔✔A
low oblique aerial image is one where the horizon is not visible, as the camera is almost directly below,
and high oblique images are at a high depression angle, looking at the horizon
What are the units of measurement commonly used in RPAS operations for altitude, airspeed, distance,
time, meteorological, and atmospheric conditions? - correct answer ✔✔AGL, knots, meters or nautical
or statute miles, zulu time, knots of winds, inches of mercury
What coordinate systems are commonly employed in RPAS operations, and how are these systems used
to determine the position of a point on the Earth's surface? - correct answer ✔✔Geographic coordinate
system, which uses latitude and longitude coordinates, Universal transversal mercator, which uses their
easting and northing coordinates to find a location, separating the earth into 60 zones.
How do the objectives of aerial survey missions differ from those of aerial inspection missions? - correct
answer ✔✔Aerial survey views large areas to survey them, and aerial inspection missions closely inspect
wear and tear, integrity, corrosion, and potential risks.
What is the difference between "front lap" and "side lap" in relation to an aerial survey mission? -
correct answer ✔✔A front lap is the first pass of the area of operations, a side lap is the last pass of that
same area of operations, off to the side.
What is the generic workflow used to plan and execute an RPAS mission? - correct answer ✔✔Develop a
preliminary plan, visit the worksite and gather in situ data, and then conduct a safety review of the
hazards and issues identified during the first two steps.
Differentiate between "area of interest" and "area of operation" regarding RPAS mission planning. -
correct answer ✔✔The area of interest is the specific targets that the RPAS crew want to survey, while
area of operations is used to identify potential hazards as to where the AV will operate
, What does RPAS mission planning mean by "launch and recovery site"? - correct answer ✔✔The launch
and recovery site is the place where the pilot will take off and land the AV
Explain the concept of "mission objectives" in RPAS mission planning. - correct answer ✔✔Mission
objectives is the purpose and desired outcome of an air mission
Identify official sources for air space, Temporary Flight Restrictions, Facility Maps, sunset times, weather,
communication frequencies, and state regulations. - correct answer ✔✔The main source that is used is
LAANC for airspace authorizations
Differentiate between Class E airspace types (E4, E3, and E2) on a chart and explain the authorization
required. - correct answer ✔✔E4 does not need ATC authorization to fly in, associated with class d
airspace. E3 also doesn't need authorization to fly in, it provides a transition from controlled to
uncontrolled airspace, associated with class c airspace. E2 airspace requires authorization and is for
control towers that don't provide full time services
How can you identify Airspace and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)specific to an operational area? -
correct answer ✔✔Use a LAANC authorization
What information can be determined by using an Airport Facility Maps (LAANC) for a specific operational
area? - correct answer ✔✔Controlled airspace coverage and height and time restrictions
How can you determine if a proposed operation falls within daylight, civil twilight, or night conditions? -
correct answer ✔✔By observing the state of cloud coverage, the sun, and the moon
What is the difference between a METAR and a TAF, and which one is more suited to preliminary flight
planning and why? - correct answer ✔✔Metar gives current conditions TAF is anticipated conditions.
TAFs are better for preliminary flight planning
What's the process for identifying the correct air traffic frequency to monitor in a specific operational
area? - correct answer ✔✔Using a Common traffic advisory frequency to communicate with other pilots
What is the common landing frequency used at most heliports unless published otherwise? - correct
answer ✔✔The most common frequency used by helicopter pilots is 123.025 MHz
What other regulations might impact a proposed RPAS operation besides airspace related regulations? -
correct answer ✔✔Light levels, flight over people, flight over national parks, flight over wildfires
How do you determine a specific operational area's launch and recovery elevation? - correct answer
✔✔By using the appropriate altitude (AGL, MSL, density altitude)
What is the difference between Mean Sea Level (MSL) and Above Ground Level (AGL)? - correct answer
✔✔Mean sea level is the height the AV is relative to sea level, AGL is the height of the AV relative to the
ground it is above
What factors contribute to a given operational area's Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA)? - correct answer
✔✔Terrain elevation, height of obstacles, minimum obstacle clearance
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM REVIEW
What is "Ground Sample Distance? - correct answer ✔✔The size of a pixel projected on the ground.
What variables make up the formula for calculating "Ground Sample Distance? - correct answer
✔✔Sensor altitude, sensor width, image width, focal length
Can you compare the relative and absolute accuracy of geospatial data used in RPAS operations? -
correct answer ✔✔Relative accuracy is the consistency of spatial relations in images and absolute is the
accuracy relative to known ground coordinates
What do "camera depression angle" and "azimuth" mean in the context of RPAS operations? - correct
answer ✔✔Depression angle is the angle from the sensor to the ground and azimuth is the angle on the
horizontal plane, or left and right
What is the difference between a low oblique and a high oblique aerial image? - correct answer ✔✔A
low oblique aerial image is one where the horizon is not visible, as the camera is almost directly below,
and high oblique images are at a high depression angle, looking at the horizon
What are the units of measurement commonly used in RPAS operations for altitude, airspeed, distance,
time, meteorological, and atmospheric conditions? - correct answer ✔✔AGL, knots, meters or nautical
or statute miles, zulu time, knots of winds, inches of mercury
What coordinate systems are commonly employed in RPAS operations, and how are these systems used
to determine the position of a point on the Earth's surface? - correct answer ✔✔Geographic coordinate
system, which uses latitude and longitude coordinates, Universal transversal mercator, which uses their
easting and northing coordinates to find a location, separating the earth into 60 zones.
How do the objectives of aerial survey missions differ from those of aerial inspection missions? - correct
answer ✔✔Aerial survey views large areas to survey them, and aerial inspection missions closely inspect
wear and tear, integrity, corrosion, and potential risks.
What is the difference between "front lap" and "side lap" in relation to an aerial survey mission? -
correct answer ✔✔A front lap is the first pass of the area of operations, a side lap is the last pass of that
same area of operations, off to the side.
What is the generic workflow used to plan and execute an RPAS mission? - correct answer ✔✔Develop a
preliminary plan, visit the worksite and gather in situ data, and then conduct a safety review of the
hazards and issues identified during the first two steps.
Differentiate between "area of interest" and "area of operation" regarding RPAS mission planning. -
correct answer ✔✔The area of interest is the specific targets that the RPAS crew want to survey, while
area of operations is used to identify potential hazards as to where the AV will operate
, What does RPAS mission planning mean by "launch and recovery site"? - correct answer ✔✔The launch
and recovery site is the place where the pilot will take off and land the AV
Explain the concept of "mission objectives" in RPAS mission planning. - correct answer ✔✔Mission
objectives is the purpose and desired outcome of an air mission
Identify official sources for air space, Temporary Flight Restrictions, Facility Maps, sunset times, weather,
communication frequencies, and state regulations. - correct answer ✔✔The main source that is used is
LAANC for airspace authorizations
Differentiate between Class E airspace types (E4, E3, and E2) on a chart and explain the authorization
required. - correct answer ✔✔E4 does not need ATC authorization to fly in, associated with class d
airspace. E3 also doesn't need authorization to fly in, it provides a transition from controlled to
uncontrolled airspace, associated with class c airspace. E2 airspace requires authorization and is for
control towers that don't provide full time services
How can you identify Airspace and Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)specific to an operational area? -
correct answer ✔✔Use a LAANC authorization
What information can be determined by using an Airport Facility Maps (LAANC) for a specific operational
area? - correct answer ✔✔Controlled airspace coverage and height and time restrictions
How can you determine if a proposed operation falls within daylight, civil twilight, or night conditions? -
correct answer ✔✔By observing the state of cloud coverage, the sun, and the moon
What is the difference between a METAR and a TAF, and which one is more suited to preliminary flight
planning and why? - correct answer ✔✔Metar gives current conditions TAF is anticipated conditions.
TAFs are better for preliminary flight planning
What's the process for identifying the correct air traffic frequency to monitor in a specific operational
area? - correct answer ✔✔Using a Common traffic advisory frequency to communicate with other pilots
What is the common landing frequency used at most heliports unless published otherwise? - correct
answer ✔✔The most common frequency used by helicopter pilots is 123.025 MHz
What other regulations might impact a proposed RPAS operation besides airspace related regulations? -
correct answer ✔✔Light levels, flight over people, flight over national parks, flight over wildfires
How do you determine a specific operational area's launch and recovery elevation? - correct answer
✔✔By using the appropriate altitude (AGL, MSL, density altitude)
What is the difference between Mean Sea Level (MSL) and Above Ground Level (AGL)? - correct answer
✔✔Mean sea level is the height the AV is relative to sea level, AGL is the height of the AV relative to the
ground it is above
What factors contribute to a given operational area's Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA)? - correct answer
✔✔Terrain elevation, height of obstacles, minimum obstacle clearance
