Canada Drone Pilot Basic Exam Preparation: Airspace, aerodromes and NOTAMs

1. Question 1 of 18

   In which airspace may a pilot with only a basic certificate fly?

   • AAny airspace below 122 m
   • BUncontrolled airspace
   • CControlled airspace
   • DClass F restricted airspace
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Uncontrolled airspace

   Basic operations take place only in uncontrolled airspace.

2. Question 2 of 18

   Which of these counts as an aerodrome?

   • AA golf course
   • BA shopping mall parking lot
   • CA sports stadium
   • DA seaplane base
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A seaplane base

   Aerodromes include airports, heliports and seaplane bases. You must never fly in a way that could interfere with aircraft at an aerodrome.

3. Question 3 of 18

   In a basic operation, how far must you stay from the centre of a certified airport?

   • AMore than 5.6 km (3 nautical miles)
   • BMore than 9.3 km (5 nautical miles)
   • CMore than 30 m (100 ft)
   • DMore than 1.9 km (1 nautical mile)
   Show answer

   Answer: A. More than 5.6 km (3 nautical miles)

   Basic operations stay more than 5.6 km (3 NM) from the centre of a certified airport.

4. Question 4 of 18

   In a basic operation, how far must you stay from the centre of a certified heliport?

   • AMore than 5.6 km (3 nautical miles)
   • BMore than 500 m
   • CMore than 122 m
   • DMore than 1.9 km (1 nautical mile)
   Show answer

   Answer: D. More than 1.9 km (1 nautical mile)

   Basic operations stay more than 1.9 km (1 NM) from the centre of a heliport.

5. Question 5 of 18

   You hold a basic certificate. A site is 4 km from the centre of a certified airport, in uncontrolled airspace. Can you fly there?

   • AYes, because the site is outside controlled airspace
   • BYes, as long as you stay below 61 m above the ground
   • CYes, if you phone the airport after the flight ends
   • DNo, inside 5.6 km you need an advanced certificate
   Show answer

   Answer: D. No, inside 5.6 km you need an advanced certificate

   4 km is less than 5.6 km (3 NM). Within that distance, even outside controlled airspace, Transport Canada requires a valid advanced certificate and the established procedures.

6. Question 6 of 18

   You want to fly 3 km from the centre of a military aerodrome. What do you need?

   • APermission from National Defence
   • BOnly a trained visual observer standing beside you
   • CWritten permission from the nearest town council
   • DOnly your Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Permission from National Defence

   You need Department of National Defence permission to fly less than 5.6 km (3 NM) from the centre of a military aerodrome.

7. Question 7 of 18

   What would a basic pilot need before flying in controlled airspace?

   • AAn advanced certificate, a suitable drone and an authorization
   • BOnly a NOTAM that the pilot publishes for the flight
   • COnly a phone call to the nearest airport before take-off
   • DNothing extra if the whole flight lasts under 10 minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: A. An advanced certificate, a suitable drone and an authorization

   Controlled airspace needs at least an advanced certificate, a drone with the right manufacturer safety declaration, and authorization from the provider, such as NAV CANADA.

8. Question 8 of 18

   What is a NOTAM?

   • AA licence that lets basic pilots fly close to airports
   • BA permanent map that shows every airport in Canada
   • CA weather forecast for a single aerodrome and its area
   • DA notice about temporary restrictions and hazards
   Show answer

   Answer: D. A notice about temporary restrictions and hazards

   NOTAMs tell pilots about temporary restrictions, obstacles and events. Each one gives the time, location, zone and details.

9. Question 9 of 18

   Where can you check NOTAMs before a flight?

   • AOn the box and packaging your drone came in
   • BOn your drone's certificate of registration
   • CNAV CANADA's NOTAM portal or NAV Drone
   • DOnly by visiting your local police station
   Show answer

   Answer: C. NAV CANADA's NOTAM portal or NAV Drone

   Transport Canada says to check NOTAMs with the NAV CANADA NOTAMs portal or NAV Drone as part of your planning.

10. Question 10 of 18

    Which place may a 200 g microdrone NOT enter without authorization?

    • AClass F Special Use Restricted airspace
    • BYour own backyard in uncontrolled airspace
    • CA farmer's field in Class G airspace, with permission
    • DA large empty park far from any aerodrome
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Class F Special Use Restricted airspace

    Class F restricted airspace, emergency sites and zones restricted by certain NOTAMs are off limits without authorization, including for microdrones.

11. Question 11 of 18

    Your site survey shows Class F advisory airspace (CYA). What does the TC AIM say?

    • AIt is controlled airspace, so you need NAV CANADA's permission
    • BYou may never fly there with any drone of any size
    • CIt is completely safe, because no other aircraft use it
    • DYou may fly, but plan for low-flying aircraft
    Show answer

    Answer: D. You may fly, but plan for low-flying aircraft

    The TC AIM says advisory airspace is permitted, but pilots should identify and reduce risks, since other aircraft often operate below 400 ft AGL there.

12. Question 12 of 18

    Police have closed off a road after a crash. Where may you fly your drone?

    • AInside the perimeter, to share video with the news
    • BAnywhere, because police are not aircraft
    • COnly outside the police security perimeter
    • DInside the perimeter, if you stay above 30 m
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Only outside the police security perimeter

    Do not fly within the security perimeter of a police or first responder operation, such as a traffic accident scene.

13. Question 13 of 18

    Smoke from a wildfire is visible from your planned site. What is the minimum distance Transport Canada says to keep from the fire?

    • AAt least 1.9 km (1 nautical mile)
    • BAt least 5.6 km (3 nautical miles)
    • CAt least 500 m
    • DAt least 9.3 km (5 nautical miles)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At least 9.3 km (5 nautical miles)

    Transport Canada says not to fly within 9.3 km (5 NM) of a wildfire, because drones can get in the way of firefighting aircraft.

14. Question 14 of 18

    You are camping in a national park. May you launch your drone from the campsite?

    • AYes, as long as the drone weighs less than 25 kg
    • BYes, if you fly early in the morning before 8:00
    • CYes, if you stay at least 30 m from other campers
    • DNo, not unless the park superintendent allows it
    Show answer

    Answer: D. No, not unless the park superintendent allows it

    Taking off or landing in a national park is not allowed. A park superintendent may allow drone use in some cases.

15. Question 15 of 18

    What is the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) useful for when you plan a drone flight?

    • AFinding nearby aerodromes and airspace
    • BRegistering your drone with Transport Canada
    • CBooking a time slot for your Small Basic Exam
    • DChecking live weather radar for your site
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Finding nearby aerodromes and airspace

    The CFS is a reference document you can use to locate aerodromes and check airspace near a site. The TC AIM says it is updated every 56 days.

16. Question 16 of 18

    A friend says the NRC Drone Site Selection Tool map is all you need to plan a flight. What is the correct view?

    • AIt is official permission to fly wherever it shows green
    • BIt fully replaces checking NOTAMs before each flight
    • CIt is a convenience, not a replacement for your checks
    • DIt is the only source you need for a site survey
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It is a convenience, not a replacement for your checks

    Transport Canada says the NRC tool is for your convenience only. You still need to check charts, the CFS, NOTAMs and other sources.

17. Question 17 of 18

    Your drone has a fly-away and is drifting toward controlled airspace. What does the TC AIM say to do?

    • ASwitch off the controller so that the drone will land
    • BWait until the battery runs out, then file a report
    • CNotify the right ATC unit or agency immediately
    • DDo nothing, since the drone is not yet in controlled airspace
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Notify the right ATC unit or agency immediately

    If a drone enters or is about to enter controlled or restricted airspace, the TC AIM says to notify the appropriate ATC unit, FSS or user agency immediately. Have their contact details ready before you fly.

18. Question 18 of 18

    You plan to fly inside a large empty warehouse. What does Transport Canada say about Part IX?

    • AIt applies in full, so stay 30 m from every wall
    • BIt does not apply indoors, but fly safely
    • CYou need an advanced certificate for any indoor flight
    • DYou must publish a NOTAM before any indoor flight
    Show answer

    Answer: B. It does not apply indoors, but fly safely

    Part IX of the CARs does not apply to indoor or underground operations. You must still fly safely and follow other laws, and Transport Canada recommends getting the building owner's permission.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.