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Tethered balloons as an airspace area

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 28 of 31 on Airspace / Operational Requirements. ACS element UA.II.B.K4b · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONIn the Remote Pilot Study Guide, tethered balloons used for observation and weather recordings are listed under which airspace category?

  1. AOther airspace areas
  2. BSpecial use airspace, alongside alert areas
  3. CControlled airspace, as a type of Class E area
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. Other airspace areas

  • A — correct The study guide's list of "other airspace areas" includes tethered balloons for observation and weather recordings that extend on cables up to 60,000 feet.
  • B — incorrect Special use airspace in the guide covers prohibited, restricted, warning, alert areas, MOAs, and CFAs; tethered balloons appear in the separate "other airspace areas" list.
  • C — incorrect The guide does not classify tethered balloon sites as Class E; they are grouped with other airspace areas such as TFRs and MTRs.

BACKGROUND

The Remote Pilot Study Guide uses the term "other airspace areas" for the majority of the remaining airspace that is not controlled airspace by class or special use airspace. Its list includes local airport advisory areas, military training routes, temporary flight restrictions, parachute jump aircraft operations, published VFR routes, terminal radar service areas, national security areas, air defense identification zones, flight restricted zones, wildlife and wilderness areas, NOAA marine areas, and tethered balloons for observation and weather recordings that extend on cables up to 60,000 feet. For a small unmanned aircraft, the cable rather than the balloon is the hazard, because it passes through the low altitudes where the aircraft operates. A remote pilot should identify such sites during airspace planning and avoid flight beneath the balloon.

STUDY TIP

Learn which items the guide files under "other airspace areas" versus special use airspace; test questions often swap the two categories.

KEY POINTS

  • Tethered balloons are listed as an "other airspace area," not special use airspace.
  • Their cables can extend up to 60,000 feet.
  • Other airspace areas also include TFRs, MTRs, TRSAs, NSAs, and ADIZs.

SOURCES

  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt ch2 "Other Airspace Areas"
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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.