The development of drone technology is essential to the future of this industry’s many diverse divisions. The aerial view of your event or a destination you visited is something worth remembering.
However, in Canada, you need to take and pass an online exam administered by Transport Canada, then submit an application and fee to Transport Canada, and then you will be allowed to be a drone pilot.
In reality, though, nothing is ever quite as easy as it first appears. There are a few exceptions to the process and an additional exam that isn’t strictly necessary to earn your advanced certificate but may be required in the context of your intended flights.
Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) are a set of laws and guidelines for flying drones in Canada. The rules governing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones or RPAS, can be found in Chapter 900.
Anticipatory Responses (ARs) In addition, CARs can serve as a helpful reference as you prepare for the expert certification exam.
The Canadian certification system consists of an entry-level and an advanced level. Each certification has its standards and processes that must be followed.
Basic And Advanced Level Drone Exam Canada
To operate a drone lawfully in Canada, even the most basic flight operations must comply with strict regulations.
Basic drone flight requirements
In Canada, the following five requirements must be met for a flight to be considered a basic flying operation:
- You should be in an area of the sky that is not monitored by any authorities.
- Horizontally, you should be more than 30 meters (100 feet) away from onlookers.
- You should not fly over onlookers.
- You should maintain a distance of three nautical miles or more from all approved airports and military airfields.
- You shouldn’t go closer than 1 nm to approved helipads.
If you miss even one, your flight will be classified as an advanced operation. Also, you should be 14 years of age or older to take a small basic exam.
Transport Canada’s basic laws for drone operations
If you want to operate a drone in Canada, it’s important for you to know about all the rules and regulations of drone exam Canada. Once you complete your online test, the Drone Management Portal will issue you a Pilot Certificate.
This certificate is for basic operations, which you can retain electronically, print out (you may be requested to produce it to authorities at any moment), or download and keep electronically.
You must also obtain a registration number from Transport Canada and display it prominently on your drone before taking it into the air.
Coastal Drones Basic Pilot Course
This Coastal Drones basic online course will teach you everything you need to know about flying your drone safely and legally and will also help you prepare for the online basic drone test required of pilots before they can fly one.
Advanced drone flight operations
You are engaging in high-level (advanced) operations in Canada if you fly under any of the following conditions:
- If you are operating within a zone of restricted flight.
- If you easily skip around onlookers.
- If you fly within 30 meters (100 feet) of onlookers.
- If you operate within three nautical miles of a designated airport or military airfield.
- If you’re flying a helicopter, you stay within one nautical mile of a designated heliport.
Transport Canada’s advanced laws for drone operations
Enough preparation is needed to fly a drone per Canada’s advanced rules and regulations. Naturally, learning to fly a drone in accordance with Transport Canada’s stringent regulations requires a sizable time commitment. And you should be 16 years of age or older to take a Small Advanced Exam
It’s important first to obtain a registration number from Transport Canada and prominently display it on the drone.
You’ll also need to ensure you’re using a drone authorized for use in terms of safety precautions. Before taking off, be sure to consult Transport Canada’s drone buyer’s handbook. Additionally, ensure your drone has a valid safety certification for its intended use.
Coastal Drones Advanced Pilot Course
Their advanced pilot certificate course includes everything from a comprehensive study guide to a comprehensive in-person flight review. Future drone pilots who intend to perform complex flights will benefit more from this.
In-person Flight Review
Having successfully completed the transport Canada drone exam and flight review, next up, you will have to face the toughest element of complying with the complex advanced operating regulations: flying the drones.
To fly with a flight reviewer, you must pass the Small Advanced Exam first. However, flying a micro-drone is an exception to this rule (drones under 250 grams). To those whose drones weigh less than 250 grams, there are zero requirements for registration or certification as a drone pilot.
A flight review is a live, in-person examination, very like the road test for a driver’s license. A drone pilot must show that they know how to operate their drone within the law and safely during the flight review. Receiving your Advanced Drone Pilot Certificate calls for a thorough flying evaluation.
After signing up, you’ll be given access to a comprehensive flight review preparation session. Extensive procedures for booking, skills testing, and other elements will be readily available for you to review.
Coastal Drones In-person Flight Review Course
Since passing a “flight review” is one of the requirements for earning an advanced pilot certificate, Coastal Drone keeps a nationwide network of flight reviewers and testing facilities. They can help you to assess your familiarity with drone flight, aviation regulations, and related practical abilities like map reading.
How many times can you reattempt your drone test?
The Advanced Drone/RPAS Pilot Exam given by Transport Canada can be taken as many times as needed. And the same holds true for the Flight Review.
Please be aware that the retake fee remains the same and that you must wait at least 24 hours between tries for both examinations.
Penalties for breaking Canada’s drone rules
In many cases, individuals don’t take the above rules and regulations seriously and assume these are just laws that ought not to be followed on paper. Therefore, it’s important to know the repercussions if you don’t follow Canadian drone laws.
The cost of flying without a valid certificate far outweighs that of earning an advanced one. If you fly a drone without a pilot’s license, without having it marked or registered, or in an area where it is prohibited, you will be subject to a fine of $1,000 for each violation.
Also, if you endanger other persons or planes with your flying, you’ll be fined $3,000. It’s not worth flying illegally because you could endanger others and breach the law.
Companies face even steeper penalties for illegal drone use, so it’s in their best interest to follow the rules if they want to take advantage of the hobby. Any company violating the guidelines mentioned above may be subject to a fine of up to $20,000 (or $5,000 per violation) and may face double that amount if the violation endangers persons or planes.
Finally, legally flying your drone in Canada is a fantastic adventure with many stunning sceneries to record if you do it lawfully. Enrolling in professional drone pilot courses such as Coastal Drones is recommended, so you’re thoroughly aware of all the regulations of drone exam Canada. Keep the law in mind while flying, and enjoy.
