FAA 107 Commercial Drone Pilot Practice Exam

Fatigue during UAS operations can be recognized as being in an impaired state. This means that the operator may not function at optimal cognitive and physical capabilities, which can affect decision-making, reaction time, and overall operational safety. Fatigue can manifest itself in various ways, including reduced concentration, decreased situational awareness, and impaired judgment, all of which are critical when piloting a drone.

While it is true that fatigue can occur after prolonged operations, it is not exclusive to long-duration flights; it can also accumulate from a lack of adequate rest over time. Additionally, difficulty in controlling the drone and simply feeling tired may be symptoms of fatigue, but they do not fully encapsulate the impaired state that is the hallmark of fatigue. Recognizing fatigue as an impaired state allows for proactive measures to be taken to ensure the operator is in a condition to operate the UAS safely and effectively.