A small unmanned aircraft may be directed through manual manipulation of flight controls or through commands using automation.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Manual only
• D. Automation only

Answer: (A)

Two ways to direct a small unmanned aircraft are manual control and automated control. Manual control means the pilot uses the flight controls—the sticks and switches—to steer the aircraft in real time, adjusting pitch, roll, yaw, and throttle directly. Automated control relies on an onboard autopilot or ground-based commands to follow pre-programmed instructions, such as waypoints or mission profiles, with the operator supervising and able to intervene if needed. Since a small UAS can be guided by either method, the statement is true. It isn’t limited to manual only, nor restricted to automation only, which is why the other options don’t fit.