Theoretical Proficiency Test

Welcome to the LMA Theoretical Proficiency Test.

There is no time limit and you will be given your results straight after finishing the test. You may read the LMA handbook and the CAA Drone & Model Aircraft Code during the test.

There are 40 multiple choice questions, you need to answer all the questions and the pass mark is 30 correct answers, 75%.

A test pass is only valid in conjunction with a current LMA membership.

Please enter your name, email address and LMA membership number to start the test.

When you pass the test we will share your details with the CAA to issue you with a CAA flier ID. If you already have a CAA flier ID you won't get a new one, but we will try. Please tick the box to give your consent for us to send the data and that you agree to the CAA privacy policy here

Name

LMA Number

I consent for the LMA to apply to the CAA for a flier ID on my behalf

Eric is out flying his model when it starts to snow. What does he need to consider to stay safe?

That other people can still see his model.

That the snow might obstruct the view from the camera.

That he is not getting too cold to be able to use his transmitter.

None

Fergal is out flying his 10kg model aircraft at a height of 40m. It’s a very blustery day and a group of Scouts are camping 50m away. What should Fergal consider so that he keeps his flight safe?

As the weather conditions are windy, he needs to increase the horizontal distance between his model aircraft and the Scouts to more than 50m.

Telling the Scout leader that he plans to fly his model aircraft in the area and that they must stay away.

Whether the Scouts are allowed to go camping there.

None

Ernest flies his model behind a group of tall trees. His model is out of sight until it comes out the other side. Is this safe?

Yes, because his model is quickly back in view.

No, because he must be able to see his model at all times.

Yes, so long as he's checked behind the trees first.

None

When do you need permission from an airport to fly a model aircraft?

Always.

When you wish to fly in a flight restriction zone (FRZ).

When flying at 300ft.

None

How could you check if there are any restrictions on whether you can fly at a particular place?

Look on a drone app (such as DroneAssist) or the Dronesafe website.

Look on the BBC website.

Look at a local newspaper.

None

Which of the following statements about people who see you using a camera on your camera drone or camera attached to your model aircraft is true?

They can demand payment if you film them.

They can demand to see what you've recorded.

They may be worried about their privacy being invaded.

None

Ignatius facies re-living his youth by doing some free flight under the LMA article 16 operating authorisation. What does he need to make sure?

He remembers how to start a DC Sabre.

The area his model will fly in does not have any uninvolved people who may be harmed in it, and he doesn’t intentionally fly it beyond visual line of sight.

He has a pair of binoculars to see where it ends up.

None

Sid is flying at his normal club site just outside an airport FRZ. He notices somebody flying a drone in a suspicious manner towards the airport. What should he do?

Look the other way then go home

Shout at the interloper while waving his arms.

Call the local police on 101 or the airport security to report the suspicious activity.

None

Who is responsible for every flight of a model aircraft over 250g?

The remote pilot.

The operator.

Both the remote pilot and the operator.

None

Who is responsible for checking before every flight of a model aircraft that it is in a safe condition to fly?

The operator.

The remote pilot.

Both the remote pilot and the operator.

None

Cyril wants to fly his 249g camera drone over a flower show being held in a country field to get some good images from above. About 150 people are at the show. Which of the following is correct?

He needs Civil Aviation Authority permission to do this because there are more than 100 people at the show.

He can fly here, but he should keep his camera drone at least 150m above the show to avoid invading people's privacy.

He can fly here as long as his camera drone des not fly over any people at the show.

None

What must you do if you’re responsible for several model aircraft that require an operator ID?

Label every model aircraft you’re responsible for with the same (your) operator ID.

Label every model aircraft you’re responsible for with a different operator ID for each one.

Label every model aircraft you’re responsible for with your LMA number.

None

When must you have insurance for flying your model aircraft under 20kg?

If you want to record video when flying.

If you want to fly at night.

If you want to fly for payment or other commercial work.

None

Are you Human? Type what you see below into the box.

Ringo has model aircraft that’s 15kg. Can he fly it at his established club flying site in a built up area without the club having carried out a risk assessment and necessary mitigations being applied?

Yes

No, A risk assessment must have been carried out for the site and he must be familiar with the mitigations in place

Yes, but only under 400ft

None

Cleetus is out flying his model aircraft when a hang-glider suddenly appears over the brow of a hill. He comes very close to colliding with the hang-glider, but just about manages to drop to a safe height. What must he do following the near miss?

Take extra care when flying here, but not bother the Civil Aviation Authority with a report of what happened because nobody was injured.

Track down the hang-glider pilot to explain what happened.

Report the Airprox to the Civil Aviation Authority via the LMA.

None

Three friends are talking about how they watch their camera drones when out flying. Which one is flying safely?

Orville says he always takes his binoculars with him to watch his camera drone so he can see it when he flies it far away from him.

Margaret says she’s linked her drones camera to her phone and often flies using just the screen.

Betty says she doesn’t use a screen and simply watches her camera drone because that way she gets the best view of everything in the sky.

None

Does an LMA member over 18 who wants to fly radio controlled models over 250g outdoors under the LMA's article 16 operating authorisation need to register as an operator with the CAA?

Only if they want to fly models over 25kg.

No, as long as they can borrow somebody else's operator registration.

Yes.

None

Which of the following sites are likely to be protected by restricted airspace that will mean you cannot fly a model aircraft around or over them without permission from them?

Lakes, rivers, canals and other waterways.

Military ranges and royal palaces.

Open countryside.

None

Which of the following must you check so that you can fly safely with a radio controlled model aircraft?

You have enough fuel or battery power to last through your planned flight.

That you have a spare transmitter with you.

he camera (if fitted) is working and the lens is clean.

None

You’re flying your model at your usual flying site. You start to get worried that you might lose sight of your model in the glare of the low winter sun. What should you do?

You can normally see your model here and you know the area well, so it’s not a problem.

Fly your model back towards you until you’re sure you can see it. Then re-assess the conditions before deciding whether to carry on flying

Land immediately as soon as you lose sight of your model.

None

Mary has two children. Peter is 8 and Wendy is 13. The children both have a 1.5kg model aircraft that they can fly to a safe standard. Who needs to pass a remote pilot competency test before Mary can take the children out flying?

Only Mary needs to pass a remote pilot competency test, because she must supervise both children when they fly.

The children will both to need pass a remote pilot competency test. Mary will also need to pass a remote pilot competency test in order to supervise Peter when he flies.

Only the children need to pass a remote pilot competency test. Mary does not need to supervise either of them when they fly.

None

Which of these is the main reason for not flying above 400ft?

Because most other manned aircraft normally fly above 400ft.

Because it’s cooler at that height and your model may fail.

Because it’s impossible to control your model at that distance.

None

Oswald, Hector and Royston fly at a regular model flying site in a field that adjoins an agricultural showground, where no specific risk assessments have been carried out. There is an organised equestrian event on the showground for over 2,000 people. The three friends are planning to fly their 5kg model aircraft. Which of them takes off and flies safely?

Royston makes sure he is at least 50m away from the event crowds and at least 30m away from anyone out walking in the field. He then takes off and starts flying away from the people out walking and the event.

Oswald makes sure he’s 50m away from anyone else. He takes off and flies 150m above the event crowd that's watching the showjumping.

Hector makes sure he is at least 150m away from anyone. He takes off and avoids flying over the event and flies at 40m over a nearby cottage.

None

Who is responsible for maintaining and repairing model aircraft so they are in a safe condition to fly?

The remote pilot.

Both the operator and the remote pilot.

The operator.

None

Shaun needs to fly his 5kg model aircraft within 16m of uninvolved people so he can land safely. What does he need to do?

Carry out a risk assessment, put in place any mitigations needed and file a copy of the risk assessment with the LMA.

He can’t do this.

Carry on, that's fine.

None

Donald is flying his 8kg model and accidentally flies within 40m of some uninvolved people. Does he need to tell anyone?

Yes, he must make a report to the CAA. via the LMA.

No, nobody was hurt.

No, it was an accident.

None

Rudi has a turbine powered model that weighs 24kg full of fuel, but also has a 2 litre smoke tank. Can he fly only under the LMA article 16 operating authorisation?

Yes, it's under 25kg so good to go.

No, he must put the model through the Over 25 kg scheme and have a specific permit to fly for that aircraft.

Yes, as he never bothers with the smoke.

None

Gehrad was lucky enough to get a shiny new 2kg DJI camera drone from his loving wife for Christmas. Can he fly it as an LMA member under the LMA's Article 16 operating authorisation?

Yes, he can carry on and do whatever he likes, including trying 'follow me' mode at 600ft high.

No, he can't.

Yes, as long as he only flies it manually using the sticks on the controller at a maximum of 400ft high..

None

Why should you keep your radio control’s built-in software (firmware) up to date?

So that your radio performs in the way the manufacturer intends.

So the radio manufacturer can identify you.

So that air traffic control can see your model on their radar.

None

Mavis realises she's accidentally recorded some video through a neighbour’s window when filming with her camera drone. What can Mavis do with the video?

Share the video online without editing it.

Share the video online after deleting the part with her neighbour in it.

Share the video with friends and family, but not share it online.

None

Pedro is flying his model aircraft with a group of friends. He decides to drop some flour bombs from his aircraft. Is he allowed to do this?

Yes, provided they do not endanger any person or property.

No, because the flour could explode.

No, because it's littering.

None

Which of the following is one of the points you should check to make sure you can legally fly at a location?

That there are absolutely no other drone or model aircraft flyers around.

Whether there are any local byelaws that mean you’re not allowed to fly there.

That there are no trees in the surrounding area.

None

You’re out flying in the countryside. There are lots of people around but you’re flying at a safe height. Suddenly you notice an air ambulance flying in the direction of your model. What should you do?

Quickly fly your model out of the way of the air ambulance and either wait or land safely.

Attempt to gain the attention of the air ambulance to warn them of your model.

Fly towards the air ambulance so that the pilot can see your model better.

None

Three friends are talking about taking their model aircraft to fly in an empty field near to an airport. The field is outside the fence that marks the airport’s boundary. Which of the friends is correct?

Josiah says: “We must check that the field is outside the airport’s flight restriction zone before we fly.”

Gladys says: “As long as we don’t fly above 120m we’re safe to fly in this field.”

Bert says: “We can fly in this field because we’re outside the airport’s boundary.”

None

Ameen is an experienced mountain biker and a really good model pilot. His model aircraft is very stable and easy to fly. He decides to have a go at flying his model aircraft while slowly cycling along a familiar track that he knows very well. Is he allowed to do this?

No, you must never fly while you could be distracted by another activity.

Yes, because he’s an experienced flier and knows the route well.

Yes, because he’s only going to cycle slowly.

None

Which of the following statements are correct?

Model aircraft are only small, so it’s safe to fly them if you’re under the influence of drink or drugs.

Model aircraft are only small, so it’s safe to fly them if you’re feeling unwell.

Being fit and safe to fly means never flying under the influence of drink, drugs or medicine, or when you’re tired or unwell.

None

Three friends have hiked up a hill that's 50m high. They're standing at the top of the hill and deciding how high they can fly their slope soarers that are over 7.5kg but under 14kg MTOM directly above them. Which of them is right?

Jane says: "We can fly as high as we like as long as nobody else is around."

Freddy says: "We can fly up to 120m above us."

Rod says: "We can only fly up to 70m above us.

None

Bez needs to fly his 10kg model aircraft within 32m of uninvolved people so he can land safely. What does he need to do?

Carry on, that's fine.

He can’t do this.

Carry out a risk assessment, put in place any mitigations needed and file a copy of the risk assessment with the LMA.

None

Choose the correct distance to complete this statement. When using the LMA article 16 operating authorisation, never fly a powered model over 7.5kg MTOM higher than ________ above the surface without appropriate permission.

400ft

400m

150m

None

Vera decides that she wants to start using her camera equipped drone to film weddings for payment. Which of the following must she do?

Get permission for commercial operations from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Get permission for commercial filming from the local council.

Fly in the open category or the specific category under her own permission, as she cannot carry out these flights under the LMA Article 16 authorisation.

None

Time's up

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