Canada Drone Pilot Basic Exam Preparation 2026
This course is for new drone pilots in Canada who are preparing for Transport Canada's Small Basic Exam. Five lessons cover the exam and certificate, the rules for basic operations, airspace and NOTAMs, weather, and human factors. Each lesson has an untimed topic quiz with explanations, and a timed 35-question final assessment unlocks a certificate of completion when you score 80% or more. The course does not issue a drone pilot certificate; you take the real exam online through Transport Canada's Drone Management Portal.
Respuesta rápida
Este curso gratuito tiene unos 240 minutos de lecciones, 5 pruebas temáticas sin límite de tiempo (95 preguntas en total) y una evaluación final cronometrada de 35 preguntas elegidas al azar. Saca un 80 % o más en la evaluación final para descargar un certificado de finalización (privado, no acreditado). Contrastado con fuentes oficiales el 13 de octubre de 2026.
Qué aprenderás
- Describe the Small Basic Exam format, pass mark and retake rule
- Explain how to get, carry and keep your basic pilot certificate current
- Register and mark a drone and work out its weight category
- Tell a basic operation from an advanced one using distance, airspace and weight
- Check airspace, aerodromes and NOTAMs before you fly
- Decide whether the weather and your own fitness allow a safe flight
- Follow normal and emergency procedures and respond to incidents
Obtén un 80 % o más para descargar tu certificado.
Tu plan de estudio
Lee cada lección, haz su prueba temática (sin límite de tiempo, con explicaciones) y luego la evaluación final cronometrada. Cada vez se elige una nueva mezcla de preguntas. Tu progreso se guarda en este navegador.
- Leer las lecciones5 lecciones, unos 240 min
- Prueba temática 1: The Small Basic Exam, your certificate and registration20 preguntas
- Prueba temática 2: The rules for basic operations19 preguntas
- Prueba temática 3: Airspace, aerodromes and NOTAMs18 preguntas
- Prueba temática 4: Weather and your drone19 preguntas
- Prueba temática 5: Human factors, procedures and emergencies19 preguntas
- Examen final35 preguntas, 90 min · Obtén un 80 % o más
Prueba temática 1: The Small Basic Exam, your certificate and registration
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Pregunta 1 de 20
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Respuesta: A. Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations
All pilots of drones from 250 g up to 150 kg must hold a pilot certificate, whether they fly for fun or for work. Basic operations need at least the Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations.
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Pregunta 2 de 20
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Respuesta: D. 14 years old
Transport Canada says you must be 14 or older to take the Small Basic Exam. Age 16 is for the advanced certificate and 18 for Level 1 Complex.
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Pregunta 3 de 20
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Respuesta: B. Online, in the Drone Management Portal
You take the Small Basic Exam online through the Drone Management Portal.
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Pregunta 4 de 20
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Respuesta: B. 35
The Small Basic Exam has 35 multiple-choice questions.
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Pregunta 5 de 20
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Respuesta: A. 90 minutes
Transport Canada gives you 90 minutes for the Small Basic Exam.
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Pregunta 6 de 20
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Respuesta: B. 65% or higher
The pass mark for the Small Basic Exam is 65%. The 80% pass mark belongs to the Advanced Exam.
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Pregunta 7 de 20
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Respuesta: A. 23
65% of 35 is 22.75, and you cannot answer part of a question, so you need 23 correct (about 65.7%). 22 correct is only about 62.9%.
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Pregunta 8 de 20
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Respuesta: D. The exam is marked on the answers you gave
Transport Canada says that if time runs out, the exam is marked on the answers you have given.
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Pregunta 9 de 20
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Respuesta: A. By email, before you pay for the exam
Transport Canada looks at requests for extra time case by case. You must send the request by email before you pay for the exam.
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Pregunta 10 de 20
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Respuesta: B. 10:00 on Tuesday
After a failed attempt you must wait 24 hours. Monday at 10:00 plus 24 hours is Tuesday at 10:00. There is no limit on the number of retakes.
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Pregunta 11 de 20
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Respuesta: C. The knowledge requirements behind the exam
The exam questions are based on TP 15263, the knowledge requirements for drone pilots. Transport Canada notes that it is not a study guide.
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Pregunta 12 de 20
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Respuesta: B. You download and print it from the portal right away
The basic certificate is issued right after you pass. You download and print it from the Drone Management Portal.
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Pregunta 13 de 20
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Respuesta: D. A Transport Canada certificate, printed or electronic
A valid drone pilot certificate is a printed or electronic document issued by Transport Canada. No other form is accepted.
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Pregunta 14 de 20
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Respuesta: A. Your pilot certificate and proof of registration
For basic operations, Transport Canada says to carry your Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations and proof of drone registration.
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Pregunta 15 de 20
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Respuesta: C. It never expires, but you must stay current
The certificate does not expire. But before you fly, you must have completed a recency activity within the previous 24 months and be able to show proof.
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Pregunta 16 de 20
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Respuesta: C. A TC-endorsed self-paced study program
Recency activities include passing an exam again, passing a flight review, a TC-endorsed safety seminar, a flight school recurrent training program, or a TC-endorsed self-paced study program. Flying hours alone do not count.
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Pregunta 17 de 20
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Respuesta: B. A 300 g drone built from a kit
Every drone of 250 g or more must be registered, including custom-built and kit drones. Drones under 250 g do not need registration.
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Pregunta 18 de 20
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Respuesta: D. At 265 g, it needs registration and a certified pilot
Anything attached counts toward the weight: 235 g + 30 g = 265 g. At 250 g or more, the drone must be registered and the pilot needs a certificate.
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Pregunta 19 de 20
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Respuesta: B. Clearly, with its registration number, in a permanent way
You must clearly mark the drone with its registration number. Transport Canada accepts permanent marker, a permanent label or engraving.
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Pregunta 20 de 20
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Respuesta: D. Up to $5,000
Individuals face up to $5,000 for flying an unregistered or unmarked drone. The $25,000 maximum applies to corporations.
Teclado: 1–4 para responder, Intro para la siguiente pregunta.
Qué debes saber antes del examen
- The Small Basic Exam has 35 multiple-choice questions, a 90-minute time limit and a pass mark of 65%. You must be 14 or older.
- If you fail the Small Basic Exam, you must wait 24 hours before you try again. There is no limit on retakes, and each attempt has the same fee.
- After you pass, the Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations is issued right away, and you download and print it from the Drone Management Portal.
- Basic operations use a drone of 25 kg or less, kept in sight, more than 30 m horizontally from people, in uncontrolled airspace, and more than 5.6 km from certified airports and 1.9 km from heliports.
- Drones of 250 g or more must not fly higher than 400 ft (122 m) above ground level, except close to a building or under a special flight operations certificate.
- Every drone of 250 g or more must be registered in the Drone Management Portal and clearly marked with its registration number.
- The pilot certificate does not expire, but you must have completed a recency activity within the previous 24 months before you fly.
Preguntas frecuentes
Is this the official Transport Canada Small Basic Exam?
No. This is an independent course with original questions. You take the real Small Basic Exam online through Transport Canada's Drone Management Portal.
Does this course give me a drone pilot certificate?
No. Only Transport Canada issues the Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations, after you pass the Small Basic Exam. This course helps you study for that exam.
What does the certificate of completion show?
It shows that you finished this course and scored at least 80% on its final assessment. It is not a Transport Canada pilot certificate, it does not count as a recency activity, and it does not let you fly.
Why is the course pass mark 80% when the real exam needs 65%?
A higher target gives you a safety margin. The final assessment has 35 questions in 90 minutes, the same length and time as the real exam, and draws a new mix of questions each attempt.
Do I need a certificate for a drone under 250 g?
No. Microdrones need no pilot certificate or registration, but you must not fly in a reckless or negligent way, and you need an SFOC to fly at an advertised event. Transport Canada also recommends keeping it in sight and below 400 ft.
What should I study besides this course?
Transport Canada bases the exam on TP 15263 and strongly recommends a drone flight school. Also read Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations and the RPA chapter of the TC AIM.
¿El certificado está acreditado o reconocido oficialmente?
No. Es un certificado de finalización privado, solo para tus conocimientos. No está reconocido, acreditado ni aprobado por ningún gobierno, organismo de licencias, regulador ni institución educativa, y no sustituye ninguna licencia, certificación ni formación exigida por la ley.
Fuentes
- Transport Canada: Small Basic Exam
- Transport Canada: Basic operations
- Transport Canada: Drone operation categories and pilot certificates
- Transport Canada: Microdrones
- Transport Canada: Getting a drone pilot certificate
- Transport Canada: Keep your drone pilot skills up to date
- Transport Canada: Registering your drone
- Transport Canada: Flying your drone safely and legally
- Transport Canada: Where to fly your drone
- Transport Canada: Tips and best practices for drone pilots
- Transport Canada: 2025 summary of changes to Canada's drone regulations
- Transport Canada: Report a drone incident
- Transport Canada: Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of RPAS, 250 g up to and including 150 kg (TP 15263)
- Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM, TP 14371): RPA chapter
- Canadian Aviation Regulations, Part IX (SOR/96-433): sections 900.01, 901.11, 901.17, 901.19, 901.23, 901.25, 901.27, 901.34, 901.39, 901.49, 901.53 and 901.54