SkyDrill

Inoperable obstruction lights and NOTAMs

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 27 of 31 on Airspace / Operational Requirements. ACS element UA.II.B.K7 · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONThe red obstruction lights on a tall tower near a planned flight area have failed. According to the Remote Pilot Study Guide, how is this condition communicated to pilots?

  1. ABy a revised sectional chart issued as soon as the lights fail
  2. BThrough a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)
  3. CBy a Convective SIGMET broadcast to aircraft in the area
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. Through a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)

  • A — incorrect NOTAMs exist precisely for information that is temporary or not known in advance in time to be published on charts; a chart is not reissued for a light outage.
  • B — correct The study guide lists inoperable lights on tall obstructions among the reasons that NOTAMs are issued.
  • C — incorrect A Convective SIGMET is a weather product; an obstruction-light outage is aeronautical information carried by the NOTAM system.

BACKGROUND

Tall ground structures are normally lighted so that pilots can see them at night and in low visibility. When that lighting fails, the change is time-critical and cannot wait for the next chart edition. The Remote Pilot Study Guide defines Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) as time-critical aeronautical information that is either temporary in nature or not sufficiently known in advance to permit publication on aeronautical charts. Among the reasons the guide lists for issuing NOTAMs are inoperable lights on tall obstructions and temporary erection of obstacles near airfields. A remote pilot planning a twilight or night operation should therefore check NOTAMs for obstruction-light outages in the area.

STUDY TIP

For any flight near tall structures, include obstruction-light NOTAMs in your preflight review, especially at night.

KEY POINTS

  • Inoperable lights on tall obstructions are a listed reason for issuing a NOTAM.
  • NOTAMs carry time-critical information that charts cannot publish in time.
  • Temporary obstacles near airfields are also announced by NOTAM.

SOURCES

  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt ch2 "Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)"
Practice the Remote Pilot (Part 107) test →Timed 60-question exam, by ACS area, or review your misses. Free.
MORE ON AIRSPACE / OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on 14 CFR part 107, 14 CFR part 89, and the FAA Remote Pilot – Small UAS Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22). Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.