Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00404:front:0:p78
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00404
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 206526–211398

electronic systems for RPAS
 Item   Aeronautical knowledge topics                                                                Priority
 1      Electrical terms                                                                             B
           (a) volts;
           (b) amps;
           (c) watts;
           (d) ohms;
           (e) hertz.
 2      Function of electrical components                                                            A
           (a) electrical components of an RPA:
              (i) electronic speed controller;
              (ii) battery eliminator circuit;
              (iii) receiver and remote receivers;
              (iv) telemetry module;
              (v) flight batteries;
              (vi) receiver battery;
             (vii) circuit breakers and fuses;
             (viii) servomechanisms;
              (ix) aerials/antennas;
              (x) GPS receivers;
              (xi) altimeters (radio, radar, laser, acoustic);
             (xii) collision avoidance sensors;
           (b) equipment redundancy;
           (c) malfunctions and system back-ups;
           (d) consequences of a malfunction;
           (e) remedial actions in the event of failure.
 3      Electric motors                                                                              A
           (a) current draw through the motor in relation to rotor or propeller diameter or pitch;
           (b) current draw through the motor in relation to rotor or propeller loads;
           (c) determination of appropriate "Kv".
 4      Batteries                                                                                    A
           (a) types of batteries:
              (i) nickel metal hydride batteries;
              (ii) lithium polymer batteries;
              (iii) alkaline batteries;
              (iv) nickel cadmium batteries;
              (v) fuel cells;
           (b) battery specifications and abbreviations (types, voltage; amperage etc);
           (c) characteristics of batteries used as an energy source for the RPA:
              (i) cell count;
              (ii) nominal voltage;
              (iii) battery configuration:
                  (A) parallel;
                  (B) series;
              (iv) battery capacity;
              (v) maximum current draw;
              (vi) discharge rate;
             (vii) main power plug;
              (viii) balance plug;
           (d) batteries classified as dangerous goods for air transportation.
 5      Charging/discharging batteries                                                               A
           (a) charging procedures for batteries;
           (b) discharging procedures for batteries;
           (c) cell balancing in multi-cell batteries;
           (d) state of charge of a battery with reference to capacity and voltage.
 6      Battery limitations                                                                          B
           (a) "continuous C-rating" and "maximum burst C-rating";
           (b) trade-off between battery size and flight endurance of an electrically‑powered RPA;
           (c) battery serviceability;
           (d) battery checkers.
 7      Electromagnetic radiation                                                                    A
           (a) radio waves;
           (b) characteristics of radio waves, wave propagation, transmission including:
              (i) the radio frequency band ranges (MF, HF, VHF, UHF);
              (ii) effective range of transmissions;
              (iii) factors affecting the propagation of radio waves, including:
                  (A) terrain;
                  (B) ionosphere;
                  (C) sun spot activity;
                  (D) interference from electrical equipment;
                  (E) thunderstorms;
           (c) radio characteristics, optimisation and shielding:
              (i) digital and analogue signals;
              (ii) command and control link range testing;
              (iii) radio frequencies for RPA operations.
 8      Global Positioning System (GPS)                                                              A
           (a) components of a GPS;
           (b) how GPS works, including accuracy of different systems;
           (c) factors that affect the performance of GPS, including the following:
              (i) number of satellites available;
              (ii) path interference;
              (iii) type of software;
              (iv) signal availability;
              (v) indications of faulty GPS equipment.
 9      Electromagnetic signal reliability and hazards                                               B
           (a) electromagnetic interference (EMI);
           (b) powerlines;
           (c) LTE and Wi-Fi.

Schedule 4 Aeronautical knowledge units

Appendix 1 Any RPA — Common units (contd.)

Unit 5 RHPF —