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Radio requirement near a non-towered airport

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 2 of 15 on Operations / Radio Communications. ACS element UA.V.A.K1 · difficulty: standard. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONA remote pilot plans to operate a small unmanned aircraft close to a non-towered airport. What does the Remote Pilot Study Guide say about two-way radio communications in this situation?

  1. AThey are required, and the remote pilot must self-announce each flight
  2. BThey are required only while manned aircraft are in the traffic pattern
  3. CThey are not required, but monitoring the frequency is good practice
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. They are not required, but monitoring the frequency is good practice

  • A — incorrect The guide says a remote pilot in command is not required to communicate with manned aircraft near a non-towered airport and should refrain from transmitting except in an emergency.
  • B — incorrect No such conditional requirement exists; the guide says radio communication is not required at all, and that even manned aircraft broadcasts are not mandatory by regulation.
  • C — correct The study guide states that at a non-towered airport two-way radio communications are not required, although it is good operating practice to monitor other aircraft on the specified frequency.

BACKGROUND

At a non-towered airport there is no operating control tower, and the study guide notes that two-way radio communications are not required. It is nevertheless good operating practice to monitor the common frequency for the benefit of situational awareness. A remote pilot in command is not required to communicate with manned aircraft, and should refrain from transmitting on any active aviation frequency unless there is an emergency. Because manned aircraft broadcasts are recommended rather than mandatory, the remote pilot must always scan visually for other aircraft.

STUDY TIP

Separate the two ideas: monitoring the frequency is encouraged; transmitting is discouraged except in an emergency. Test questions often swap 'required' and 'recommended'.

KEY POINTS

  • Two-way radio communication is not required at a non-towered airport.
  • Monitoring the common frequency is good operating practice for a remote pilot.
  • A remote pilot should not transmit on an aviation frequency except in an emergency.

SOURCES

  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt ch11 "Non-towered Airport"
  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt ch7 "Recommended Traffic Advisory Practices"
  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt ch7 "Aircraft Call Signs"
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MORE ON OPERATIONS / RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

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.