Drone Pilot Practice Exam

What is typically the cause of a stall in an unmanned aircraft?

1. Power failure

2. Exceeding critical angle of attack

3. Excessive load factor

4. Inadequate navigation

The correct answer is: Exceeding critical angle of attack

Stalls in an unmanned aircraft occur when the aircraft exceeds its critical angle of attack. The critical angle of attack is the angle at which the airflow can no longer smoothly cling to the wing's surface, leading to a significant loss of lift. When the angle of attack increases beyond this critical point, the airflow separates from the wing, resulting in a stall. During a stall, the aircraft may lose lift and altitude, and the pilot needs to recognize and recover from this situation promptly. Unlike other issues such as power failure, excessive load factors, or inadequate navigation, which can lead to different types of problems, exceeding the critical angle of attack directly affects the lift-producing capability of the aircraft's wings, making it the main cause of a stall. Understanding the concept of angle of attack and its relationship to lift is essential for safe drone operation, as it helps prevent unintentional stalls during flight maneuvers.