Canada Drone Pilot Basic Exam Preparation: Human factors, procedures and emergencies

1. Question 1 of 19

   Section 901.19 sets a waiting period after drinking alcohol. How long is it before you may act as a drone crew member?

   • A4 hours
   • B8 hours
   • C24 hours
   • D12 hours
   Show answer

   Answer: D. 12 hours

   Section 901.19 says no one may act as a crew member within 12 hours after drinking an alcoholic beverage, or while under the influence of alcohol.

2. Question 2 of 19

   You finish a glass of wine at 22:00. What is the earliest time you may act as a crew member, if you are not still affected?

   • A02:00 the next morning
   • B06:00 the next morning
   • C10:00 the next morning
   • D22:00 the next evening
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 10:00 the next morning

   Section 901.19 sets a 12-hour wait. 22:00 plus 12 hours is 10:00 the next day. You also may not fly while under the influence.

3. Question 3 of 19

   You slept badly and expect to be very tired before a long job ends. Under section 901.19, may you act as crew?

   • AYes, as long as you drink coffee first
   • BNo, not if you are likely to suffer from fatigue
   • CYes, if a visual observer stays beside you
   • DYes, because fatigue rules apply only to paid work
   Show answer

   Answer: B. No, not if you are likely to suffer from fatigue

   Section 901.19 says no person may act as a crew member if they are suffering or likely to suffer from fatigue, or are otherwise unfit for their duties.

4. Question 4 of 19

   How does the TC AIM compare fatigue with alcohol or drugs?

   • AMuch less dangerous than alcohol or drugs
   • BJust as dangerous, and harder to notice
   • CImportant only for flights made at night
   • DEasy to notice, so it is rarely a problem
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Just as dangerous, and harder to notice

   The TC AIM says fatigue is as dangerous as alcohol or drugs and harder to notice.

5. Question 5 of 19

   You are taking a new prescription medicine and are unsure whether it affects you. What does the TC AIM suggest?

   • AFly, since prescription medicine is always safe
   • BTake half the dose and fly
   • CAsk a bystander if you seem fine
   • DCheck with your physician before you act as crew
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Check with your physician before you act as crew

   Crew members must not be impaired by a drug. The TC AIM says to check with a physician if you are in doubt about a medication.

6. Question 6 of 19

   According to the TC AIM, how long should you abstain from cannabis before conducting drone operations?

   • AAt least 12 hours
   • BAt least 24 hours
   • CAt least 28 days
   • DAt least 7 days
   Show answer

   Answer: C. At least 28 days

   The TC AIM says to abstain from cannabis use for at least 28 days when conducting operations with an RPAS.

7. Question 7 of 19

   In the IM SAFE checklist, what does the S stand for?

   • AStress
   • BSpeed
   • CSleep
   • DSignal
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Stress

   IM SAFE stands for Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue and Eating (and drinking).

8. Question 8 of 19

   You answer yes to one IM SAFE question. What does this mean, according to the TC AIM?

   • AYou may fly if the other answers are all no
   • BYou should fly only half as long as planned
   • CYou are likely not fit to fly
   • DYou must retake the Small Basic Exam first
   Show answer

   Answer: C. You are likely not fit to fly

   The TC AIM says a yes answer to any IM SAFE item means you are likely not fit to act as crew.

9. Question 9 of 19

   How should you scan the sky for other aircraft, according to the TC AIM?

   • AIn one long, quick sweep from left to right
   • BOnly by listening for engine or rotor noise
   • CBy staring at one point in the empty sky
   • DIn short movements over 10–15° blocks
   Show answer

   Answer: D. In short movements over 10–15° blocks

   The TC AIM recommends a block scan: short, regular eye movements over sections of about 10 to 15 degrees.

10. Question 10 of 19

    The sky is clear blue with nothing to focus on. What can help you avoid empty field myopia?

    • AClosing one eye while you scan the sky
    • BStaring harder at the empty blue sky
    • CLooking only at your controller screen
    • DFocusing on a distant cloud or tree line
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Focusing on a distant cloud or tree line

    Looking at an empty sky causes empty field myopia, which makes it hard to focus. The TC AIM suggests looking at a cloud patch or tree line instead.

11. Question 11 of 19

    About how long can it take a person to spot, identify and avoid other air traffic?

    • AUnder half a second
    • BAbout 1 minute
    • CUp to about 10 seconds
    • DAbout 5 minutes
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    Answer: C. Up to about 10 seconds

    The TC AIM says refocusing takes 1 to 2 seconds, and spotting, identifying and avoiding traffic can take up to about 10 seconds. Start scanning early.

12. Question 12 of 19

    Which situation must your emergency procedures cover under section 901.23?

    • AA full memory card after landing
    • BA slow video upload
    • CA fly-away
    • DA spectator asking for photos
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A fly-away

    Section 901.23 lists emergency procedures for control station failure, equipment failure, aircraft failure, loss of the command and control link, fly-away, flight termination and detecting conflicting traffic.

13. Question 13 of 19

    Under section 901.23, what must happen to your procedures before take-off?

    • ANothing, as long as the pilot has memorized them
    • BThe crew reviews them and keeps them handy
    • CThey are mailed to Transport Canada for approval
    • DThey are posted on social media for the public
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    Answer: B. The crew reviews them and keeps them handy

    Section 901.23 says procedures must be reviewed by the crew before the flight and be immediately available to each crew member.

14. Question 14 of 19

    What does the TC AIM advise about where to keep your written procedures and checklists?

    • AOnly in your memory, so they cannot be lost
    • BAt home, so they stay safe and dry
    • COn the drone's memory card, with the photos
    • DAt the crew station, not on the flying device
    Show answer

    Answer: D. At the crew station, not on the flying device

    The TC AIM says to keep procedures available at the crew station, on paper or in digital form, and to avoid showing them on the same device that flies the drone.

15. Question 15 of 19

    When does the TC AIM say the most thorough pre-flight inspection should be done?

    • ABefore each new day of flying
    • BOnly after the drone has crashed
    • COnly when the drone is brand new
    • DOnly once a month, on the first day
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Before each new day of flying

    Inspect before every take-off, with the most thorough inspection before each new day. Do a full inspection after a crash, a malfunction or a change of location.

16. Question 16 of 19

    During a pre-flight check, you find a small nick in a plastic propeller. What does the TC AIM say?

    • AReplace the propeller
    • BTape over the nick
    • CFly, since small nicks do not matter
    • DSand the nick smooth and fly
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Replace the propeller

    The TC AIM says to check propellers for nicks, chips or cracks. On plastic blades, any damage means the propeller should be replaced.

17. Question 17 of 19

    During a flight, your drone touches a person by accident. What must you do under section 901.49?

    • ARestart after five minutes if no one is hurt
    • BReport it only if the person asks you to
    • CStop at once until the cause is analysed and fixed
    • DFinish the planned flight first, then decide
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Stop at once until the cause is analysed and fixed

    Unintended contact with a person is one of the events in section 901.49. You must immediately cease operations until the cause is analysed and fixed.

18. Question 18 of 19

    Under Part IX, what is a fly-away?

    • AA planned flight that goes farther than 1 km away
    • BA drone that is flown away from its owner's home
    • CAny flight that goes higher than 30 m above ground
    • DLosing control of the drone through a link failure
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Losing control of the drone through a link failure

    Part IX defines a fly-away as an interruption or loss of the command and control link so the pilot can no longer control the aircraft, or it no longer follows its preprogrammed procedures.

19. Question 19 of 19

    A stranger's drone is diving toward a crowd and someone could be hurt. What should you do first?

    • ATry to knock the drone down with yours
    • BPost a video of it online
    • CFill in Transport Canada's online report form
    • DCall 9-1-1
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Call 9-1-1

    Transport Canada says to call 9-1-1 first if there is imminent danger. You can then report unsafe drone use with the online form. Privacy problems go to local police.

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