• Table of Contents

<aside> 💡 CAP evaluations involving COTS and Complex drones that come balanced out of the box will not require W/B arrangements or calculations.

</aside>

1. Foundational Knowledge

W/B Knowledge Required for FAA Part 107 Certification

FREE FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Lesson: sUAS Loading and Performance, Center of Gravity, Loading

Real-World Discussion of W/B in Multi-Rotors and Airplanes

Balancing your model: Why CG is so important

2. Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) drones

This category includes drones like the Phantom 4, Parrot Anafi, Skydio 2, and others that are designed to be stable and balanced out of the box. They don't have a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) specified, so adding weight to them is not recommended because it commonly impacts the drone's endurance, controllability, and stability. The Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is restrictive about allowing any modifications to stock COTS beyond minor additions like strobe lights for night operations, Remote-ID Broadcast Modules, or propeller guards.

**What MTOW are COTS Actually Capable of?

(outside of CAP operations)?**