Part 107 Loading and Performance
Updated October 27, 2026
Loading and performance questions ask how weight, balance, turns and air density affect a small drone. Some use the load factor chart from the FAA testing supplement. Here are the key ideas, followed by free practice questions.
Load factor
Load factor is the total load on the aircraft divided by its weight, measured in Gs. In straight and level flight it is 1 G. In a level turn, load factor increases as the bank angle increases:
| Bank angle | Approximate load factor |
|---|---|
| 0° | 1.0 G |
| 30° | About 1.15 G |
| 45° | About 1.41 G |
| 60° | 2.0 G |
So at a 60° bank, the structure carries twice the drone’s weight. A higher load factor also raises the stall speed of fixed-wing drones.
Weight and balance
- More weight (such as a heavier payload) means slower climbs, shorter flight time and less maneuverability.
- The center of gravity (CG) must stay within the manufacturer’s limits. A CG outside them can make the drone unstable or impossible to control.
- Secure payloads so they can’t shift in flight, which would move the CG.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s weight and balance limits.
What reduces performance
- High density altitude (high, hot and humid conditions)
- Extra weight
- Cold temperatures, which can reduce battery capacity
- Strong winds and gusts
Free loading and performance practice questions
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What is the load factor in a level 60° bank turn?Answer: CIn a level turn at 60° of bank, the load factor is 2 G, twice the aircraft's weight.
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A drone weighs 20 pounds. In a level 60° bank turn, its structure must support about:Answer: BAt 60° of bank the load factor is 2 G, so the structure supports 20 × 2 = 40 pounds.
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How does adding a heavier payload affect a drone?Answer: AExtra weight means the drone works harder to stay aloft, reducing climb performance, endurance and maneuverability.
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What can happen if the center of gravity is outside the manufacturer's limits?Answer: DA center of gravity outside the limits can make the aircraft unstable or uncontrollable. Keep payloads secure and within limits.
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As bank angle increases in a level turn, the load factor:Answer: BLoad factor increases with bank angle in a level turn, slowly at first and then sharply at steeper angles.
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As load factor increases in a turn, what happens to stall speed?Answer: BStall speed increases with load factor, so steep turns raise the speed at which the aircraft stalls.
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Who is responsible for making sure a small drone is within its weight and balance limits before flight?Answer: CThe remote pilot in command must make sure the drone is in a condition for safe operation, including that it is loaded within the manufacturer's limits.
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Where should a remote pilot find a drone's weight limits and performance data?Answer: DWeight limits, center of gravity limits and performance data come from the manufacturer's documentation.
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How does high density altitude affect battery-powered multirotor drones?Answer: AIn thinner air (high density altitude), propellers move less air, so they produce less lift and the drone performs worse.
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What is the load factor in level, unaccelerated flight?Answer: CIn straight-and-level flight, the load factor is 1 G: the aircraft supports exactly its own weight.
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Which can shift a drone's center of gravity in flight?Answer: BA payload that moves can shift the center of gravity and make the drone unstable. Secure all payloads before flight.
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How does cold weather usually affect lithium-polymer drone batteries?Answer: CCold temperatures reduce a battery's available capacity and voltage, so flights may be shorter. Keep batteries warm before flight and watch levels closely.
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A drone is loaded beyond its maximum takeoff weight. What is the likely result?Answer: DOverloading reduces climb and maneuver performance, strains motors and batteries, and can lead to loss of control.
Pass the FAA Part 107 drone test on your first try
- All 308 questions across regulations, airspace, weather, loading and operations
- An explanation for every answer, with the rule or FAA source behind it
- Questions on the real test's figures: the FAA's sectional charts, METARs, TAFs and load factor chart, zoomable on any screen