USI UNIT 2.1 & 2.2 TEST 2026/2027 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS, ANSWERS &
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
What acts as a lifting surface on an Airborne Vehicle? - correct answer ✔✔An Airframe
What is true about elevons? - correct answer ✔✔They are a type on control surface that can induce roll
and pitch
They are moved by small motors and control arms
What does the powerplant do? - correct answer ✔✔It provides the air vehicle with the necessary power
and propulsion to fly
Components of a small fixed-wing air Vehicle: - correct answer ✔✔Air Data Terminal; Propeller; GPS
Receiver; Flight Controller; Battery; Airspeed Sensor; Servo Actuator; Elevon; Electronic Speed Controller;
Motor
LOA 0 Autonomy - correct answer ✔✔Air vehicle crashes without input
LOA 1 level of Autonomy - correct answer ✔✔Shared Control; Air vehicle hovers in last location; Manual
control
LOA 2 level of Autonomy - correct answer ✔✔Traded control; Pilot activates the system
LOA 3 level of Autonomy - correct answer ✔✔Altitude, Airspeed, Heading hold; Pilot sets the conditions;
Supervisory Controls; Mapping Mission
Which LOA has automatic control and may be used in a drone light show? - correct answer ✔✔LOA 4
Which LOA has full autonomy and may be used in Advanced Air Mobility? - correct answer ✔✔LOA 5
In which level(s) of autonomy is the pilot flying the system? - correct answer ✔✔LOA 0 and LOA 1
In which level(s) of autonomy is no pilot flying the system? - correct answer ✔✔LOA 4 and LOA 5
Why are composite materials often used in air vehicles? - correct answer ✔✔They have a high strength-
to-weight ratio
They are durable
They are resistant to corrosion
Fuselage - correct answer ✔✔The main body of an aircraft that holds the cargo compartment or payload
Wings or Rotors - correct answer ✔✔Provides lift and stability to the air vehicle
, Empennage - correct answer ✔✔Includes the tail section and control surfaces, such as the rudder and
elevators
What type of powerplant works by using a permanent magnet rotor and a set of electromagnets in the
stator to generate motion? - correct answer ✔✔Brushless Direct Current motor
In order to generate motion, the current flowing through the stator coils must be switched on and off in
a specific sequence, which is typically controlled by an electronic controller that monitors the position of
the rotor using sensors or back-electromotive force feedback. What is this called? - correct answer
✔✔Commutation
As the current flows through the stator coils, it generates (blank) that interacts with the permanent
magnets on the rotor, causing it to rotate - correct answer ✔✔Magnetic field
What type of powerplant works by converting fuel into energy through a series of controlled explosions
that drive a piston up and down within a cylinder? - correct answer ✔✔Combustion engine
What regulates the speed and output of a combustion engine to ensure that it runs smoothly and
generates the correct amount of power? - correct answer ✔✔Engine Control Unit (ECU)
What type of zone does the propeller create in front of the blades? - correct answer ✔✔Low-pressure
What type of zone does the propeller create behind the blades? - correct answer ✔✔High-pressure
What factors affect the amount of thrust generated by a propeller? - correct answer ✔✔Size and shape
of the blades
Density and viscosity of the air or fluid being moved
Speed of rotation
What are some advantages that a rear-mounted propeller has over a front-mounted propeller? - correct
answer ✔✔Allows for a clear, obstructed view for cameras, sensors, or other payloads mounted on the
front of the air vehicle.
Can reduce the noise and vibration levels in the cabin or payload area
Can provide better aerodynamic performance by reducing drag and improving the airflow over the wings
and fuselage
Can provide greater safety which can reduce the risk of damage to the propeller during takeoff and
landing, or in the event of collision
What are the two main sources of power for air vehicles? - correct answer ✔✔Engine-driven power
generation and battery power
What is one of the main power sources for air vehicles? - correct answer ✔✔Battery
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE
What acts as a lifting surface on an Airborne Vehicle? - correct answer ✔✔An Airframe
What is true about elevons? - correct answer ✔✔They are a type on control surface that can induce roll
and pitch
They are moved by small motors and control arms
What does the powerplant do? - correct answer ✔✔It provides the air vehicle with the necessary power
and propulsion to fly
Components of a small fixed-wing air Vehicle: - correct answer ✔✔Air Data Terminal; Propeller; GPS
Receiver; Flight Controller; Battery; Airspeed Sensor; Servo Actuator; Elevon; Electronic Speed Controller;
Motor
LOA 0 Autonomy - correct answer ✔✔Air vehicle crashes without input
LOA 1 level of Autonomy - correct answer ✔✔Shared Control; Air vehicle hovers in last location; Manual
control
LOA 2 level of Autonomy - correct answer ✔✔Traded control; Pilot activates the system
LOA 3 level of Autonomy - correct answer ✔✔Altitude, Airspeed, Heading hold; Pilot sets the conditions;
Supervisory Controls; Mapping Mission
Which LOA has automatic control and may be used in a drone light show? - correct answer ✔✔LOA 4
Which LOA has full autonomy and may be used in Advanced Air Mobility? - correct answer ✔✔LOA 5
In which level(s) of autonomy is the pilot flying the system? - correct answer ✔✔LOA 0 and LOA 1
In which level(s) of autonomy is no pilot flying the system? - correct answer ✔✔LOA 4 and LOA 5
Why are composite materials often used in air vehicles? - correct answer ✔✔They have a high strength-
to-weight ratio
They are durable
They are resistant to corrosion
Fuselage - correct answer ✔✔The main body of an aircraft that holds the cargo compartment or payload
Wings or Rotors - correct answer ✔✔Provides lift and stability to the air vehicle
, Empennage - correct answer ✔✔Includes the tail section and control surfaces, such as the rudder and
elevators
What type of powerplant works by using a permanent magnet rotor and a set of electromagnets in the
stator to generate motion? - correct answer ✔✔Brushless Direct Current motor
In order to generate motion, the current flowing through the stator coils must be switched on and off in
a specific sequence, which is typically controlled by an electronic controller that monitors the position of
the rotor using sensors or back-electromotive force feedback. What is this called? - correct answer
✔✔Commutation
As the current flows through the stator coils, it generates (blank) that interacts with the permanent
magnets on the rotor, causing it to rotate - correct answer ✔✔Magnetic field
What type of powerplant works by converting fuel into energy through a series of controlled explosions
that drive a piston up and down within a cylinder? - correct answer ✔✔Combustion engine
What regulates the speed and output of a combustion engine to ensure that it runs smoothly and
generates the correct amount of power? - correct answer ✔✔Engine Control Unit (ECU)
What type of zone does the propeller create in front of the blades? - correct answer ✔✔Low-pressure
What type of zone does the propeller create behind the blades? - correct answer ✔✔High-pressure
What factors affect the amount of thrust generated by a propeller? - correct answer ✔✔Size and shape
of the blades
Density and viscosity of the air or fluid being moved
Speed of rotation
What are some advantages that a rear-mounted propeller has over a front-mounted propeller? - correct
answer ✔✔Allows for a clear, obstructed view for cameras, sensors, or other payloads mounted on the
front of the air vehicle.
Can reduce the noise and vibration levels in the cabin or payload area
Can provide better aerodynamic performance by reducing drag and improving the airflow over the wings
and fuselage
Can provide greater safety which can reduce the risk of damage to the propeller during takeoff and
landing, or in the event of collision
What are the two main sources of power for air vehicles? - correct answer ✔✔Engine-driven power
generation and battery power
What is one of the main power sources for air vehicles? - correct answer ✔✔Battery
