Canada Drone Pilot Advanced Exam Preparation: Weather and radio basics

1. Question 1 of 18

   How often are METARs normally taken?

   • ATwice a day
   • BEvery 30 minutes
   • CEvery 6 hours
   • DEvery hour, on the hour
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Every hour, on the hour

   The TC AIM says METARs are taken every hour on the hour.

2. Question 2 of 18

   What is a SPECI?

   • AA weather map issued four times a day for a whole region
   • BA pilot's report of turbulence
   • CA forecast valid for 30 hours
   • DA special report when weather crosses set criteria
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A special report when weather crosses set criteria

   A SPECI is issued between regular reports when the weather crosses specified criteria.

3. Question 3 of 18

   In aviation weather reports, what time standard is used?

   • AThe time zone of the forecast office
   • BLocal standard time
   • CLocal daylight time
   • DCoordinated Universal Time (UTC)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

   The TC AIM says aviation weather report and forecast times are given in UTC.

4. Question 4 of 18

   In Canadian aviation weather products, what unit is used for wind speed?

   • AKilometres per hour
   • BKnots
   • CMiles per hour
   • DMetres per second
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Knots

   Wind speeds in aviation weather products are given in knots.

5. Question 5 of 18

   What unit is used for horizontal visibility in Canadian aviation weather?

   • ANautical miles
   • BKilometres
   • CMetres
   • DStatute miles (SM)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Statute miles (SM)

   Horizontal visibility is given in statute miles (SM).

6. Question 6 of 18

   In a METAR or TAF, how are cloud heights measured?

   • AAbove sea level (ASL)
   • BAbove ground level (AGL)
   • CAbove the nearest mountain top
   • DAbove the 18,000 ft level
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Above ground level (AGL)

   Heights in METARs and TAFs are above ground level. Heights in GFAs and PIREPs are normally above sea level.

7. Question 7 of 18

   Your local time is UTC minus 7 hours. It is 09:00 local time. What time is it in UTC?

   • A1500 UTC
   • B0200 UTC
   • C1600 UTC
   • D0900 UTC
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 1600 UTC

   To go from local time to UTC, do the opposite of the UTC-to-local step: add 7 hours, so 09:00 becomes 1600 UTC. Subtracting 7 (0200) goes the wrong way.

8. Question 8 of 18

   What is the maximum validity period of a TAF in Canada?

   • A48 hours
   • B6 hours
   • C30 hours
   • D12 hours
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 30 hours

   TAFs are generally issued every 6 hours and can be valid for up to 30 hours.

9. Question 9 of 18

   A TAF describes conditions within what distance of the centre of the runway complex?

   • A3 NM
   • B1 NM
   • C25 NM
   • D5 NM
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 5 NM

   The TC AIM says a TAF covers conditions within 5 NM of the centre of the runway complex, depending on terrain.

10. Question 10 of 18

    How often is the graphic area forecast (GFA) issued?

    • AFour times a day
    • BOnce a day
    • CEvery hour
    • DOnce a week
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Four times a day

    The GFA is issued four times daily, with a 12-hour validity and a 12-hour IFR outlook.

11. Question 11 of 18

    Which set lists the sky condition terms used in Canadian aviation weather?

    • ANIL, SOME, MANY, MOST, ALL
    • BCLR, LOW, MID, HIGH, FULL
    • CSKC, FEW, SCT, BKN, OVC
    • DVFR, MVFR, IFR, LIFR, VLIFR
    Show answer

    Answer: C. SKC, FEW, SCT, BKN, OVC

    The sky condition terms are SKC, FEW, SCT, BKN and OVC.

12. Question 12 of 18

    Your local time is UTC minus 6 hours. A METAR is issued at 1800 UTC. What is the local time?

    • A00:00
    • B12:00
    • C18:00
    • D06:00
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 12:00

    Subtract 6 hours from 1800 UTC: 18 minus 6 is 12, so it is 12:00 local time. Adding 6 would go the wrong way.

13. Question 13 of 18

    On a hot day at a high-elevation site, what happens to density altitude and drone performance?

    • ADensity altitude rises and performance drops
    • BNothing changes for battery-powered drones
    • CDensity altitude falls and performance improves
    • DDensity altitude rises and performance improves
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Density altitude rises and performance drops

    Warm air and high elevation mean thinner air, a higher density altitude, and less lift and thrust. TP 15263 lists density altitude effects on performance.

14. Question 14 of 18

    Why should you stay well away from thunderstorms?

    • AThey block NAV Drone from working
    • BHeavy rain improves GPS signals, so drones drift off course
    • CDowndrafts, hail and lightning can cause loss of control
    • DThey only affect aircraft above 400 ft
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Downdrafts, hail and lightning can cause loss of control

    TP 15263 lists thunderstorm hazards such as updrafts, downdrafts, downbursts, microbursts, hail and lightning.

15. Question 15 of 18

    Which radio qualification does TP 15263 link to radiotelephony knowledge for drone pilots?

    • AAn amateur (ham) radio certificate
    • BA commercial broadcast licence
    • CA cellular network permit
    • DAn operator certificate with an aeronautical qualification
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An operator certificate with an aeronautical qualification

    The radiotelephony section of TP 15263 is linked to the operator certificate with an aeronautical qualification.

16. Question 16 of 18

    At an uncontrolled aerodrome inside a mandatory frequency (MF) area, what must pilots do?

    • ATalk on the MF using uncontrolled aerodrome procedures
    • BStay silent unless there is an emergency
    • CCall the nearest control tower on the phone before flying
    • DUse 121.5 MHz for all position reports
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Talk on the MF using uncontrolled aerodrome procedures

    The TC AIM says pilots at uncontrolled aerodromes in MF areas must communicate on the MF following uncontrolled aerodrome procedures.

17. Question 17 of 18

    What is a good radio habit before you transmit on an aviation frequency?

    • ATransmit twice in a row to be heard
    • BUse only your drone's registration number
    • CHold the button down to check the frequency
    • DListen first so you do not block another transmission
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Listen first so you do not block another transmission

    TP 15263 includes radio etiquette to avoid interfering with other communications. Listening first is the simplest way.

18. Question 18 of 18

    According to the TC AIM, what is 126.7 MHz used for, along with the flight information frequency?

    • ATalking to the Drone Management Portal
    • BControlling drones at long range
    • CBroadcasting SIGMETs, urgent PIREPs and fuel dumping
    • DRequesting NAV Drone authorizations in controlled airspace
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Broadcasting SIGMETs, urgent PIREPs and fuel dumping

    The TC AIM says 126.7 MHz is used for broadcasting SIGMET, urgent PIREP and fuel-dumping information.

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