FAA 107 Commercial Drone Pilot Practice Exam

Loss of GPS signal is a common reason for UAS data loss during flight because drones rely heavily on GPS for navigation, positioning, and maintaining a stable flight path. When a drone loses its GPS signal, it may drift, become difficult to control, or even initiate an automatic return-to-home sequence if equipped with that feature. This can result in a loss of data being transmitted back to the operator or the onboard recording devices.

High battery power, low altitude flying, and calm weather conditions do not typically contribute to data loss. A high battery power level is generally beneficial for maintaining flight operations, whereas flying at low altitudes does not inherently interfere with data transmission or reception. Additionally, calm weather conditions usually provide stable flying conditions, reducing the likelihood of incidents that would lead to data loss. Thus, the loss of GPS signal stands out as a significant factor that directly impacts a UAS's ability to function effectively and retain data during flight.