How to get a drone pilot certificate in Canada?

In Canada, Drone pilots must carry a valid drone pilot certificate issued by Transport Canada at all times while operating their drone. Transport Canada is the department within the government of Canada, which is responsible for transportation policies and programs.¹

Image Credits: People illustrations by Storyset

If you’re planning to fly a drone in Canada, you must get the drone pilot certificate from Transport Canada.

Transport Canada has classified the drone operations into two main categories:²

1. Basic Operations
2. Advanced Operations

Based on your expertise in flying a drone, you’ll be fall under any one of the above categories.

Basic Operations

If you meet all 5 of the following conditions, you’re at the level of basic operations:

• You fly a drone in uncontrolled airspace
• You fly a drone more than 30 metres (100 feet) horizontally from bystanders
• You never fly a drone over bystanders
• You fly a drone more than 3 nautical miles from a certified airport or a military aerodrome
• You fly a drone more than 1 nautical mile from a certified heliport

Drone Pilot Certificate - Basic

For getting a Basic Operations drone pilot certificate, you must follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Register your drone with Transport Canada before you fly it for the first time
• Mark your drone with its registration number
• Pass the Small Basic Exam (Online)
• Download your certificate through the Drone Management Portal

Image Credits: People vector created by pch.vector - www.freepik.com

Advanced Operations

If you meet any one of the following conditions, you are at the level of advanced operations:

• You want to fly a drone in controlled airspace
• You want to fly a drone over bystanders
• You want to fly a drone within 30 metres (100 feet) of bystanders (measured horizontally)
• You want to fly a drone less than 3 nautical miles from a certified airport or a military aerodrome
• You want to fly a drone less than 1 nautical mile from a certified heliport

Drone Pilot Certificate - Advanced

For getting an Advanced Operations drone pilot certificate, you must follow the below-mentioned steps:

• Register your drone with Transport Canada before you fly it for the first time
• Mark your drone with its registration number
• Have a drone with the appropriate Safety declaration for the intended operation
• Pass the Small Advanced Exam (Online)
• Pass a flight review with a flight reviewer
• Once the $25 fee is paid, you will be issued a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations
• Download your certificate through the Drone Management Portal

Additional Rules - Advanced

• Seek permission from air traffic control (NAV CANADA or the Department of National Defence) to fly in controlled airspace (request an RPAS Flight Authorization from NAV CANADA)
• Fly within the operational limits of your drone

If you have a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations, you do not need a Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations to conduct basic operations.

Expiration

Image Credits: Work illustrations by Storyset

Your pilot certificate does not expire, but you must be able to show proof of completion of one of the following activities within the previous 24 months:

• Re-taking and passing either the Small Basic Exam or Small Advanced Exam;
• Successfully passing a flight review; or
• Completing any one of the following training activities:
  • Attendance at a safety seminar endorsed by Transport Canada Civil Aviation;
  • Completion of a drone recurrent training program from a drone flight school; or
  • Completion of a Transport Canada endorsed self-paced study program

Exception - For Micro Drones

The drones that weigh less than 250 grams are also known as Microdrones. If your drone weighs less than 250 grams then, congratulations. You don’t need to register for a drone pilot certificate.

According to Transport Canada,

However, you must not operate your drone recklessly or negligently as to endanger or be likely to endanger aviation safety or the safety of anyone.

Image Credits: KKPCW, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Also, Transport Canada has provided a list of good practices for Micro Drone Pilots, as follows:

• Maintain the drone in a direct line of sight
• Do not fly your drone above 400 feet in the air
• Keep a safe distance between your drone and any bystanders
• Stay far away from aero-dromes, airport, heliport and water-drome
• Avoid flying near critical infrastructures
• Stay clear of aircraft, at all time
• Do a pre-flight inspection of your drone
• Keep the drone close enough to maintain the connection with the remote controller
• Avoid advertised events

If you break the rules, you will be fined $1,000 (for an individual) or $5,000 (for a corporation).

Conclusion

I’ve tried to explain how to get a drone pilot certificate in Canada with the acquired information from various sources. I’m expectantly waiting for your valuable feedback and suggestions regarding this article.

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