Canada Drone Pilot Basic Exam Preparation: Weather and your drone

1. Question 1 of 19

   Transport Canada's tips for first-time pilots say to fly in which conditions?

   • AStrong wind, to practise control
   • BLight rain, to test the drone
   • CDaylight and good weather
   • DDusk, when the air is calm
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   Answer: C. Daylight and good weather

   Transport Canada's tips for new pilots include flying low and slow, in daylight and in good weather.

2. Question 2 of 19

   Under section 901.34, what must the weather allow during a VLOS flight?

   • AUsing the drone's camera alone to find your way home
   • BFlying above any low cloud layer to get a clear view
   • CSeeing the drone for at least half of the planned flight
   • DKeeping the whole flight in VLOS, within the manuals
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   Answer: D. Keeping the whole flight in VLOS, within the manuals

   Section 901.34 says the weather must let you follow the RPAS operating manuals and keep the entire flight in visual line-of-sight.

3. Question 3 of 19

   What weather information must your site survey consider?

   • AOnly the wind reported at the nearest major airport
   • BCurrent weather and the forecast for the flight
   • COnly last year's weather on the same calendar date
   • DOnly the weather at the moment you take off
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   Answer: B. Current weather and the forecast for the flight

   Section 901.27 says the site survey must consider the predominant weather and environmental conditions and the forecast for the duration of the flight.

4. Question 4 of 19

   Where should you look first to find how much wind your drone can handle?

   • AA friend's advice about a different drone
   • BThe drone's registration certificate
   • CThe manufacturer's manual for the drone
   • DThe weather app's wind chill value
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   Answer: C. The manufacturer's manual for the drone

   The TC AIM says to check the manufacturer's manual for the drone's wind speed tolerance and never to fly outside the maker's limits.

5. Question 5 of 19

   A forecast says the wind is from the north. Which way will it push your drone?

   • AToward the north
   • BToward the south
   • CStraight up
   • DToward the east
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   Answer: B. Toward the south

   Wind direction tells you where the wind comes from. A north wind blows from the north toward the south.

6. Question 6 of 19

   You plan a flight between tall downtown buildings. What wind problem does the TC AIM warn about?

   • ASudden gusts and shifts in direction
   • BWind always stops completely between tall buildings
   • CWind between buildings affects only drones over 25 kg
   • DBuildings make the wind steady and easy to predict
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   Answer: A. Sudden gusts and shifts in direction

   Tall buildings can cause sudden gusts that exceed the drone's limits and shifts in direction that push it off course.

7. Question 7 of 19

   What is the minimum visibility for a VLOS drone flight?

   • ANo set number; enough to keep the drone in sight
   • BAt least 3 statute miles in every direction
   • CAt least 500 m, measured from the take-off point
   • DAt least 1 km, measured from the pilot
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   Answer: A. No set number; enough to keep the drone in sight

   The TC AIM says Part IX sets no minimum visibility, but visibility must let you keep the drone in visual line-of-sight for the whole flight.

8. Question 8 of 19

   Why may you not fly your drone into a cloud?

   • AClouds always contain dangerous lightning
   • BClouds completely block every GPS signal
   • CAll clouds are inside controlled airspace
   • DThe drone would leave VLOS
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   Answer: D. The drone would leave VLOS

   The TC AIM says entering cloud is prohibited because the drone would no longer be in visual line-of-sight.

9. Question 9 of 19

   Light rain starts. Your drone's manual says nothing about flying in rain. What does the TC AIM advise?

   • AFly higher to get above the rain
   • BAvoid flying in the rain
   • CKeep flying, since light rain is always safe
   • DFly faster so the drone stays dry
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   Answer: B. Avoid flying in the rain

   Without manufacturer guidance, the TC AIM says to avoid flying in precipitation because it can affect the drone and create hazards.

10. Question 10 of 19

    Fog is forming at your site. Your drone has bright lights. What should you do?

    • ADo not fly if fog could hide the drone
    • BFly above the fog and steer with the camera view
    • CFly, because bright lights make any fog safe
    • DFly only along the drone's return-to-home route
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    Answer: A. Do not fly if fog could hide the drone

    The TC AIM says not to fly in fog if visibility is too poor to keep VLOS, even with lights. Fog can also change quickly during a flight.

11. Question 11 of 19

    On a very cold day, which is a concern raised by the TC AIM?

    • ACold weather removes the 400 ft altitude limit
    • BStiff hands and the maker's temperature limits
    • CBatteries work best when they are below freezing
    • DCold air always makes drones fly much longer
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    Answer: B. Stiff hands and the maker's temperature limits

    The TC AIM says cold can reduce the dexterity of the crew, so dress for it, and you must stay within the manufacturer's temperature limits.

12. Question 12 of 19

    Your drone's box says it can fly for 30 minutes. How should you plan the flight?

    • APlan exactly 30 minutes, since the maker tested it
    • BPlan about 40 minutes, since a reserve is built in
    • CPlan as long as you like, since it lands by itself
    • DPlan for less than 30 minutes
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    Answer: D. Plan for less than 30 minutes

    The TC AIM says endurance figures are only the maker's estimate. Wind, temperature, altitude and battery quality can reduce it, so plan conservatively.

13. Question 13 of 19

    During your pre-flight check, you see that a lithium polymer battery is swollen. What should you do?

    • ACharge it fully to fix the swelling
    • BPress it flat and then use it
    • CDo not use it
    • DUse it for a short flight only
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    Answer: C. Do not use it

    The TC AIM says to inspect lithium polymer batteries for swelling, leaks or other defects before flight. A swollen battery is defective.

14. Question 14 of 19

    What causes icing on a drone?

    • ASupercooled droplets freezing on contact
    • BWarm, dry air on a bright sunny afternoon
    • CFlying very close to the ground in summer
    • DStrong sunlight shining on the propellers
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    Answer: A. Supercooled droplets freezing on contact

    The TC AIM explains that supercooled droplets freeze on contact. Critical surfaces must be clear before take-off and stay clear, or the flight must end.

15. Question 15 of 19

    Your drone is flying toward the setting sun and is hard to see. What does the TC AIM suggest?

    • ALook straight into the sun to find the drone
    • BTake off your sunglasses and keep staring at it
    • CUse a zoom lens to follow the drone more easily
    • DLook to the side of the sun
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    Answer: D. Look to the side of the sun

    Sun glare makes it hard to keep the drone in sight. The TC AIM suggests limiting time facing the sun and looking to the side when the drone flies toward it.

16. Question 16 of 19

    Why might polarized sunglasses cause a problem for a drone pilot?

    • AThey make the drone look much closer than it is
    • BThey are not allowed for visual line-of-sight
    • CThey can make screens hard to read
    • DThey can block the drone's radio control signal
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    Answer: C. They can make screens hard to read

    The TC AIM notes that polarized sunglasses can make tablet displays hard to read. Sunglasses are otherwise allowed for VLOS.

17. Question 17 of 19

    Which official source does the TC AIM name for same-day aviation weather information?

    • AA popular social media weather page
    • BClimate normals averaged over past years
    • CNAV CANADA's CFPS
    • DThe drone manufacturer's online store
    Show answer

    Answer: C. NAV CANADA's CFPS

    The TC AIM lists NAV CANADA's CFPS for same-day information. Climate normals are for long-term planning, and ECCC forecasts and radar help with mission planning.

18. Question 18 of 19

    The forecast looks good, but you notice strong gusts at your site. What does the TC AIM say?

    • ALaunch quickly before the gusts get worse
    • BTrust the forecast, because it is official
    • CGusts matter only for drones over 25 kg
    • DCheck on site; local weather can differ
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Check on site; local weather can differ

    The TC AIM says to always check on-site conditions before launch. Micro-climates at a site can be different from the forecast.

19. Question 19 of 19

    Why does the TC AIM suggest checking the Space Weather Canada forecast?

    • AIt shows exactly where rain will fall today
    • BSolar activity can disturb GPS and the link
    • CIt gives the exact time of sunset and sunrise
    • DIt lists all of the NOTAMs for your area
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Solar activity can disturb GPS and the link

    Solar activity can cause interference that affects GPS and the command and control link. Higher levels raise the risk of a lost link.

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