UAS Important Terms
Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS)
a small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, typically less than 55 pounds.
Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC)
an unmanned aircraft that is flying in a state of direct control by a UAV operator (i.e. not in autonomous flight).
Telemetry
}An automated communications process by which measurements are made and other data collected at remote or inaccessible points and transmitted to receiving equipment for monitoring
Drone
}Slang for the actual UAV (aircraft). FAA, media and some industry use this term.
Autonomous Aircraft
}a UAV that can be programmed to fly a designated flight pattern without a pilot controlling it.
Ready to Fly (RTF)
}a UAV that comes completely assembled and bound to a transmitter and is ready to fly when it is purchased.
Airspace
}a portion of the atmosphere sustaining aircraft flight and which has defined boundaries and specified dimensions.
Multirotor (Multicopter)
}a rotorcraft with more than two rotors. Allows simple rotor mechanics for flight control.
Ground Control Station (GCS)
}a system of software and hardware receiving telemetry data from an unmanned aircraft to monitor its status, and transmit in-flight commands.
Quadcopter
}aircraft having four rotors positioned on a horizontal plane. Most popular sUAS.
Fixed-Wing Platform
}an aircraft consisting of a rigid wing that has a predetermined design making flight capable by generating lift
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
}an aircraft with no pilot onboard.
First Person View (FPV)
}an egocentric perspective, replicating the view from within the aircraft.
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS)
}operational method in which the UAS is kept within visual perception of a remote pilot/observer.
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)
}operational method in which the UAS is operated outside the visual perception range of the remote pilot. Sometimes this is supported through a chase plane.
Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL)
}platform capable of achieving translational flight for launch and recovery.
Horizontal Takeoff and Landing (HTOL)
}platform requiring conventional launch and recovery with wings/fuselage parallel to the ground
Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS)
}products ready-made and available for public purchase. Examples: Parrot Mambo, Ryze Tello, DJI Mavic Pro, UAV Factory Penguin C.
Data Link
}system that enables data (telemetry, image, video, etc.) transfer from UAV to GCS and from GCS to UAV.
Payload
}the carrying capacity of an aircraft, usually measured in terms of weight
Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)
}the unmanned aircraft together with its ground-based controller, and the system of communications connecting the two. Term the FAA uses.
Fly Away
}unintended flight outside of operational boundaries (altitude/airspeed/lateral) as the result of a failure of the control element or onboard systems, or both.
