How to Get a Drone License in Canada

Introduction:

There are two types of Drone Pilot Licenses in Canada for drones weighing between 250g and 25Kg. The basic or advanced license will depend on where and how you intend to operate your drone.

1. Basic Operations

   • You fly it in uncontrolled airspace

   • You fly it more than 30 metres (100 feet) horizontally from bystanders

   • You never fly it over bystanders

   • You fly it more than 3 nautical miles from a certified airport or a military aerodrome

   • You fly it more than 1 nautical mile from a certified heliport

2. Advanced Operations

   • You want to fly in controlled airspace

   • You want to fly over bystanders

   • You want to fly within 30 metres (100 feet) of bystanders (measured horizontally)

   • You want to fly less than 3 nautical miles from a certified airport or a military aerodrome

   • You want to fly less than 1 nautical mile from a certified heliport

Steps to Get Your Advanced Certificate:

1. Preparation and Training: I recommend enrolling in a Transport Canada approved Drone Flight School to get the knowledge required for the online exams. I highly recommend Coastal Drone pilot training school as they have comprehensive training programs that meet Transport Canada’s requirements, covering topics such as airspace classification, meteorology and flight operations.

2. Small Basic Exam (Optional): You don’t need to take the Basic Exam prior to taking the Advanced Exam. However, some students may choose to start here if they only plan to fly drones between 250g and 25kg outside controlled airspace. You must be 14 years or older to take the Small Basic Exam. There are 35 multiple choice questions and you’ll have 90 minutes to take the exam. Pass mark is 65% or higher and the initial exam fee is $10 and each additional attempt if you fail the first time. As mentioned, this is an optional step as you don’t need the Small Basic RPAS Certificate to take the Small Advanced Exam. Some pilots may choose to take this exam if they don’t plan to fly in controlled airspace or as a means of preparing for the Advanced Exam.

3. Small Advanced Exam: If you will be flying in controlled airspace for your operations consider getting your Advanced RPAS certificate by taking the Small Advanced Exam. If you’re 14 years old you’ll need to wait until you’re 16 years old at least before you can take the Small Advanced Exam. As I mentioned earlier I highly recommend completing a drone flight school to prepare yourself for the exam. The Small Advanced Exam is 50 multiple choice questions that you’ll need to complete in 60 minutes. You need to score 80% or higher to pass the exam. Once you pass the exam you cannot fly 250g-25kg drone until you pass the Flight Review. Unless of course you have taken and passed the Small Basic Exam then you are still limited to Basic Operations until a Flight Review has been completed.

4. Flight Review: After passing the Small Advanced Exam the next step is the flight review where your RPAS knowledge, skills and operational proficiency will be evaluated by a qualified flight reviewer. To schedule a flight review you will need to bring the following supporting documentation:

1. a copy (digital or physical) of the results page of your passed small advanced exam

2. a valid piece of government-issued (federal/provincial/territorial/state government authority or the equivalent body abroad) identification, that is not expired, and that provides their name and date of birth

3. the Certificate of Registration for the drone used for the flight review

Flight Reviewers are Transport Canada approved RPAS pilots who conduct the flight review. If you are in Ontario, Canada I highly recommend SkyLens Studios for your flight review. You can book a flight review directly with SkyLens Studios by emailing scott@skylensstudios.com. They even offer a flight review study guide that you can take to help prepare you for the flight review. Skylens Studios is excellent at conducting thorough and compliant flight reviews and ensures pilots meet Transport Canada’s standards for safe and proficient drone operations.

Conclusion:

Getting your Advanced certificate is a must for drone pilots to fly in controlled airspace and complex conditions (closer to bystanders, near airports). From the preparation and training at a Transport Canada approved Drone Flight School like Coastal Drone pilot training school to the exams—optional Small Basic Exam and the required Small Advanced Exam—the process is designed to build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. The final step of this journey is the flight review, a critical evaluation that tests your RPAS knowledge and operational proficiency and is the gateway to Small Advanced Drone Operations.

FAQ’s

1. What are some common RPAS basic exam questions?

RPAS basic exam questions cover topics such as:

1. air law, air traffic rules and procedures

2. RPAS airframes, power plants, propulsion and systems

3. Human factors

4. Meteorology

5. Navigation

6. Flight operations

7. Theory of flight

8. Radiotelephony

2. How do I prepare for drone basic exam questions?

Preparing for drone basic exam questions involves studying Part IX - Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) and Standards. Plus enrolling in a drone pilot training course and taking practice tests will help you understand and apply the knowledge.

3. Are there any drone exam practice tests available?

Yes, there are several drone exam practice tests available online through educational platforms, drone flight schools and regulatory bodies. These practice tests are designed to mimic the format of the actual exam and give you an idea of what to expect.

4. What are the RPAS recency requirements?

RPAS recency requirements (921.04) 901.65(1)(b)(iii) of the CARs state that pilots must stay current with their RPAS knowledge and skills every 24 months by completing various training activities . Acceptable training activities include:

(a) attendance at a safety seminar approved by Transport Canada Aviation;

(b) completion of an RPAS recurrent training course that updates pilot knowledge, which includes, human factors, environmental factors, route planning, operations near aerodromes/airports and applicable regulations, rules and procedures; or

(c) completion of a Transport Canada approved self-study program that updates pilot knowledge in the subjects listed in (b).