Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Practice Test

Guidance method describes how the UAS is steered during flight. Manual control means a human operator directly commands the aircraft in real time, using the flight controls to dictate the exact path, speed, and altitude. This direct control is what makes manual a distinct guidance method: the operator’s inputs determine the aircraft’s movements rather than an autonomous system or pre-programmed path. The other options describe forms of automated or remote operation. GPS-guided implies the aircraft follows a route determined by satellite navigation, and autopilot uses onboard systems to maintain course and altitude with little to no continuous input from the operator. Radio-controlled is a way to perform manual control remotely, but it still relies on human inputs through a handheld or onboard controller. In many LAAD training contexts, the term guidance method is highlighted in contrast to automated navigation, which is why manual is identified as the guidance method here.