SkyDrill

Five fundamental risk elements in situational awareness

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 3 of 15 on Operations / Aeronautical Decision-Making. ACS element UA.V.D.K3 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONThe study guide defines situational awareness as the accurate perception and understanding of all factors and conditions within the five fundamental risk elements, which are the flight, the pilot, the aircraft, the environment, and

  1. Athe air traffic control facility.
  2. Bthe weight and balance of the payload.
  3. Cthe type of operation.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. the type of operation.

  • A — incorrect Air traffic control is not one of the five fundamental risk elements named in the study guide's definition of situational awareness.
  • B — incorrect Payload loading is a performance consideration, not one of the five fundamental risk elements in the definition of situational awareness.
  • C — correct The study guide lists the five fundamental risk elements as flight, pilot, aircraft, environment, and type of operation.

BACKGROUND

The Remote Pilot Study Guide defines situational awareness as the accurate perception and understanding of all the factors and conditions within the five fundamental risk elements that comprise any given aviation situation: the flight, the pilot, the aircraft, the environment, and the type of operation. These factors affect safety before, during, and after the flight. Maintaining situational awareness requires understanding the relative significance of all flight-related factors and their future impact. A pilot with an overview of the total operation is not fixated on one perceived significant factor.

STUDY TIP

Learn the five risk elements as a set: flight, pilot, aircraft, environment, and type of operation.

KEY POINTS

  • Situational awareness covers all factors within five fundamental risk elements.
  • The five elements are flight, pilot, aircraft, environment, and type of operation.
  • Situational awareness matters before, during, and after the flight.

SOURCES

  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt ch10, "Situational Awareness"
Practice the Remote Pilot (Part 107) test →Timed 60-question exam, by ACS area, or review your misses. Free.
MORE ON OPERATIONS / AERONAUTICAL DECISION-MAKING

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.