Canada Drone Pilot Basic Exam Preparation: Lessons 2026

Lesson 1: The Small Basic Exam, your certificate and registration

In Canada, a drone is an aircraft, so the person flying it is a pilot. You need a drone pilot certificate to fly a drone that weighs from 250 g up to and including 150 kg. Transport Canada has three certificates: Basic Operations (minimum age 14), Advanced Operations (16) and Level 1 Complex Operations (18). This course prepares you for the Small Basic Exam, which leads to the basic certificate.

The Small Basic Exam

Transport Canada strongly recommends a drone flight school before the exam. If you need extra time, send a request by email before you pay; each request is looked at case by case.

Getting and carrying your certificate

When you pass, the Pilot Certificate – Basic Operations is issued right away. You download and print it from the Drone Management Portal. A valid certificate is a printed or electronic document issued by Transport Canada; no other form is accepted. When you fly a basic operation, carry your pilot certificate and proof of drone registration.

Under section 901.54, the pilot of a basic operation must be at least 14 and hold a certificate. A younger or uncertified person may fly only under the direct supervision of someone allowed to conduct that operation.

Staying current (recency)

The certificate does not expire, but you may fly only if you completed one of these activities in the previous 24 months, and you must be able to show proof:

• pass the Small Basic, Small Advanced or Level 1 Complex Exam again
• pass a flight review
• attend a Transport Canada-endorsed safety seminar
• complete a recurrent training program from a drone flight school
• complete a Transport Canada-endorsed self-paced study program

Registering and marking your drone

Every drone of 250 g or more must be registered, including kit and custom-built drones. Weight includes anything attached, such as a camera or safety cage, but not the remote control. A drone under 250 g does not need registration unless something attached brings it to 250 g or more. Register in the Drone Management Portal; have the make, model, serial number, type and purchase date ready. Transport Canada's 2025 changes set the registration fee at $10.

You must clearly mark the drone with its registration number, using permanent marker, a permanent label or engraving. Transport Canada also recommends adding your name and contact information.

Penalties

Quiz sa paksa 1: The Small Basic Exam, your certificate and registration

Lesson 2: The rules for basic operations

Drone weight classes

Weight is the drone plus anything attached or carried. The remote control does not count.

What makes a flight a basic operation

A flight is a basic operation only if it meets all of these conditions:

• the drone weighs no more than 25 kg
• you can always see the drone
• you stay more than 30 m (100 ft) horizontally from any person not involved in the flight
• you fly only in uncontrolled airspace
• you stay more than 5.6 km (3 NM) from the centre of a certified airport and more than 1.9 km (1 NM) from the centre of a certified heliport

If even one condition is not met, the flight is an advanced or complex operation, and a basic certificate is not enough. For example, flying in uncontrolled airspace within 30 m of a person is an advanced operation.

Section 901.53 measures the 30 m horizontally and at any altitude. Flying high above someone does not make it basic. The TC AIM explains that people inside vehicles or buildings are not counted for the 30 m rule.

Altitude

Under section 901.25, you must not fly higher than 400 ft (122 m) above ground level (AGL). When you are less than 61 m (200 ft) horizontally from a building or structure, you may fly up to 30 m (100 ft) above it. To go higher, you need a special flight operations certificate (SFOC-RPAS).

Visual line-of-sight (VLOS)

Section 901.11 says the pilot or a visual observer must keep the drone in visual line-of-sight. VLOS means unaided visual contact, good enough to control the drone and watch the sky around it for other aircraft. The TC AIM says binoculars, telescopes and zoom lenses are not allowed, while prescription glasses and sunglasses are fine. Looking briefly at your controller is acceptable.

A visual observer is a trained crew member who helps the pilot keep the flight safe. Under section 901.20, the pilot and each observer must keep reliable and timely communication.

Sharing the sky

Section 901.17 says a drone must give way to power-driven aircraft, airships, gliders and balloons at all times.

Night, microdrones and events

• Night: the drone needs lights that let you or your visual observer see it, and the lights must be on (section 901.39).
• Microdrones (under 250 g): no certificate or registration, but you must not fly in a reckless or negligent way. Stay away from emergency sites. Transport Canada also recommends keeping it in sight, below 400 ft, a safe distance from people and away from aerodromes.
• Advertised events such as outdoor concerts, festivals, markets or sports events need an SFOC-RPAS, even for a microdrone.

Quiz sa paksa 2: The rules for basic operations

Lesson 3: Airspace, aerodromes and NOTAMs

Controlled and uncontrolled airspace

Controlled airspace is airspace where air traffic control gives service, often around larger airports. A basic certificate lets you fly only in uncontrolled airspace. To fly in controlled airspace, you need at least an advanced certificate, a drone with the right manufacturer safety declaration, and an authorization from the air navigation service provider (NAV CANADA, or the Department of National Defence for military airspace).

Some areas are off limits without authorization, even for microdrones: Class F Special Use Restricted airspace, emergency sites, and zones restricted by a NOTAM issued under the Aeronautics Act. Class F advisory airspace (CYA) is allowed, but the TC AIM warns that other aircraft often fly low there, so plan for the risk.

Aerodromes

Aerodromes include airports, heliports and seaplane bases. Never fly in a way that could get in the way of aircraft at an aerodrome.

Inside these distances, even outside controlled airspace, Transport Canada requires a valid advanced certificate and established procedures.

Other places with limits

• Do not fly inside the security perimeter of police or first responders, such as at a traffic accident or flood.
• Stay at least 9.3 km (5 NM) from a wildfire. The TC AIM describes a forest fire restriction below 3,000 ft AGL within 5 NM of the fire area.
• You may not take off or land in a national park unless the park superintendent allows it.
• Part IX does not apply indoors or underground, but you must still fly safely. Transport Canada recommends getting the owner's permission.

Planning tools and NOTAMs

Before you fly, find nearby controlled airspace, restricted airspace and aerodromes. Useful sources are the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS), which the TC AIM says is updated every 56 days, aeronautical charts, the Designated Airspace Handbook, the NAV Drone app and the National Research Council's Drone Site Selection Tool. The NRC tool is for convenience only; it does not replace your own checks.

A NOTAM warns pilots about temporary restrictions, obstacles and events. Each NOTAM gives the time, location, zone and details. Check NOTAMs in the NAV CANADA NOTAM portal or in NAV Drone before every flight.

If things go wrong

Keep the contact details of the nearby air traffic control unit, flight service station or airspace user agency with you. If your drone enters, or is about to enter, controlled or restricted airspace, for example during a fly-away, the TC AIM says to notify them immediately.

Quiz sa paksa 3: Airspace, aerodromes and NOTAMs

Lesson 4: Weather and your drone

Section 901.34 says the weather must let you follow the drone's operating manuals and keep the entire flight in visual line-of-sight. Section 901.27 says your site survey must consider the current weather and the forecast for the whole flight. Transport Canada's tips for new pilots add: fly in daylight and good weather, and check that it is not too cold or windy and your batteries are fully charged.

Weather sources

The TC AIM suggests Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) climate normals for long-term planning, ECCC forecasts and radar for planning a job, and NAV CANADA's Collaborative Flight Planning Services (CFPS) for same-day information. Always check conditions on site before launch: small local weather patterns can differ from the forecast.

What each condition means for you

Batteries and endurance

The flight time printed on the box is only the maker's estimate. Wind, temperature, altitude, battery quality and how you fly can all shorten it. Remember that the controller and any video goggles need power too. Plan conservatively and land with power to spare. Before flight, inspect lithium polymer batteries for swelling, leaks or other damage, and charge your spares.

Quiz sa paksa 4: Weather and your drone

Lesson 5: Human factors, procedures and emergencies

Are you fit to fly?

Section 901.19 says you must not act as a crew member if you are tired or likely to become tired, or are otherwise unfit for your duties. You must not act as a crew member within 12 hours after drinking alcohol, while under the influence of alcohol, or while using a drug that impairs you in a way that puts safety at risk.

The TC AIM adds that fatigue is just as dangerous as alcohol or drugs and is harder to notice. Check with a physician if you are unsure about a medication. The TC AIM also says to abstain from cannabis for at least 28 days before drone operations.

A yes to any item means you are likely not fit to act as crew.

Seeing other aircraft

You are responsible for spotting other aircraft. The TC AIM recommends a block scan: short, regular eye movements over sections of about 10 to 15 degrees. Staring at an empty sky causes empty field myopia, so focus now and then on a cloud or tree line. Your eyes need 1 to 2 seconds to refocus, and spotting, identifying and avoiding traffic can take up to about 10 seconds, so scan early and often.

Procedures

Section 901.23 says you must set up normal procedures (pre-flight, take-off, launch, approach, landing and recovery) and emergency procedures for:

• control station failure, equipment failure and drone failure
• loss of the command and control link
• a fly-away: a loss of the link so you can no longer control the drone, or the drone stops following its programmed procedures
• flight termination
• detecting and avoiding other aircraft and hazards

Your procedures must follow the manufacturer's instructions. The crew reviews them before the flight, and they must be immediately available to every crew member. The TC AIM advises keeping them at the crew station, not on the device that flies the drone. Know how your drone's return-to-home works and how to cancel it.

Pre-flight inspection

Inspect the drone before every take-off. The most thorough check is before the first flight of each new day, and a full inspection follows a crash, a malfunction or a change of location. Check antennas, the battery mounting, lights and GPS lock. On plastic propellers, any nick, chip or crack means replace the propeller.

Incidents and unsafe drones

Section 901.49 says you must stop operations immediately if someone is injured and needs medical attention, the drone touches a person by accident, unexpected damage affects how it flies, it leaves its planned area or altitude, it collides or nearly collides with another aircraft, it becomes uncontrollable, flies away or goes missing, or a police report results. Do not restart until the cause is analysed and corrective action is taken. Keep a record of the analysis for 12 months.

If you see someone else's drone causing imminent danger, call 9-1-1 first. You can then report unsafe drone use with Transport Canada's online form. Privacy problems, such as being recorded in your home, go to local police.

Quiz sa paksa 5: Human factors, procedures and emergencies