FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) came in to effect on June 1, 2019 and specifically address RPAS (drone/UAV) operations within the Canadian Domestic Airspace.
Click here to review the regulations.
Effective June 1, 2019, if you fly drones (UAVs) or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) with a maximum takeoff weight of 250 grams (g) up to and including 25 kilograms (kg) in Canadian Domestic Airspace, you are required by law to obtain a pilot certificate to operate legally.
Click here to find out more.
Effective June 1, 2019, all drones or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) with a maximum takeoff weight of 250 grams (g) up to and including 25 kilograms (kg) must be registered. Drones under 250 g do not need to be registered. Drones over 25 kg also do not need to be registered, but require a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS) instead.
Click here to find out more.
Micro remotely piloted aircraft systems (mRPAS) are made up of a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) weighing less than 250g and its control station. The weight of the control station is not factored in to the weight calculation when determining whether an RPAS is micro (less than 250 g) or small (250 g to 25 kg). However, the weight of any payload carried, such as optional cameras, will be considered part of the weight.
Pilots of micro RPASs are not subject to Subpart 1 of Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARS), so they are not required to register their RPAs or obtain a certificate to fly them. However, they must adhere to CAR 900.06 and ensure they do not operate their RPA in such a reckless or negligent manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger aviation safety or the safety of any person.
While there are no prescriptive elements of the regulation that inform the pilot how to accomplish this objective, there is an expectation that the pilot of a micro RPAS should use good judgment, identify potential hazards, and take all necessary steps to mitigate any risks associated with the operation. This should include having an understanding of the environment in which the RPA pilot is operating, with particular attention paid to the possibility of aircraft or people being in the same area. If CAR 601.04 - IFR or VFR Flight in Class F Special Use Restricted Airspace or Class F Special Use Advisory Airspace, 601.16 - Issuance of NOTAM for Forest Fire Aircraft Operating Restrictions, and 5.1 of the Aeronautics Act restrict the use of airspace to all “aircraft”, they therefore apply to micro RPAs as they are considered aircraft under the Aeronautics Act and CARs. For more information, see RAC 2.8.6 Class F Airspace in the TC AIM.
A pilot that is found to have created a hazard to either aviation safety or people on the ground is subject to an individual penalty of $1,000 and/or a corporate penalty of $5,000 (CAR 103, Schedule II).
Click here to review the new section on drones (RPA) in Transport Canada’s Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM).
Yes — within VLOS, medium drones can be flown near/over people in both controlled and uncontrolled airspace, provided the drone and operator meet the new safety and certification requirements.
The new rules expand operational flexibility, including routine BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) flights, the introduction of Level 1 Complex Operations, and new allowances for flying medium-sized drones (25–150 kg) within VLOS.
New regulations go into effect November 4, 2025. Click here to read our summary of key changes.
No. The current drone operating rules remain in effect until November 4, 2025. However, pilot licensing and drone registration are now based on the new rules, so it’s important to get familiar with the updates in advance.
Any organization (e.g., private companies, public agencies, NGOs) intending to operate under the Level 1 Complex Operations category must obtain an RPOC. This applies even if individual pilots hold the necessary certifications.
To obtain an RPOC, you must submit an application to Transport Canada that includes:
An Operations Manual outlining procedures and risk mitigation
A Safety Management System (SMS) plan
Records of qualified personnel, including certified pilots
Proof of insurance and drone compliance
A documented organizational structure with a Responsible Person identified
Operating without the required RPOC is a regulatory violation and may result in fines, license suspension, or criminal penalties. It’s crucial to be certified before conducting these operations.
RPASOTC offers RPOC-readiness consulting, including:
Development of compliant Operations Manuals and SMS frameworks
Training for your Responsible Person and operational team
Gap analysis of your current documentation and workflows
Support with audit preparation and Transport Canada communications
A PVD allows drone manufacturers to declare their RPAS complies with Transport Canada’s Standard 922. Operators using compliant drones benefit from simplified approval processes for BVLOS and medium drone flights.
This is a new classification allowing lower-risk BVLOS flights in certain areas. Pilots must hold an Advanced + Level 1 Complex Certificate, and operators need an RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC) to qualify.
You must be 18+, complete 20 hours of ground school, pass both the Advanced Operations and Level 1 Complex online exams, and pass a flight review. Your organization also needs an RPOC if conducting these ops commercially.
Not for all cases. Under the new Level 1 Complex Operations category, BVLOS flights in low-risk, uncontrolled airspace (below 400 ft and away from populated areas) can now be conducted without an SFOC — as long as you meet the new certification requirements.
The RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC) is required for anyone conducting Level 1 Complex operations, such as beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) flights in uncontrolled airspace.
To apply, you’ll need to:
- Appoint an accountable executive
- Establish a safety management process
- Implement training and maintenance procedures
All lower-risk BVLOS operations must remain in uncontrolled airspace, stay below 122 metres (400 feet), and stay away from airports and aerodromes.
If you are flying a small or medium drone, you may operate at least 1 km away from a populated area.
If you are flying a small drone, you may also operate over a sparsely populated area or less than 1 km from a populated area.
Not yet. You cannot start flying BVLOS, EVLOS, or Sheltered operations until November 4, 2025. However, you will be able to take the new Level 1 Complex exam and apply for an RPAS Operator Certificate (RPOC) through the Drone Management Portal starting April 1, 2025.
This approach avoids changing operating rules during the peak summer flying season in 2025. If you want to fly these types of operations before November 4, you still need to apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate.
If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, you must have an approved Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS) to fly a drone (RPA/UAV) for any purpose (recreational, work or research) in Canadian airspace. As a foreign drone pilot, you need a Canadian drone pilot certificate to operate in Canada even if you are authorized in your home country.
If you wish to operate your drone (RPA/UAV) for recreational purposes in the Basic Operations category, you must:
Access the Drone Management Portal to register for and write the online Small Basic Exam.
On successfully passing the Small Basic Exam, apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS).
If you wish to operate your drone (RPA/UAV) in the Basic Operations and Advanced Operations category, you must:
Attend a Transport Canada approved TP 15263 RPAS Ground School (Advanced Operations) course (Highly recommended)
On completion of training, access the Drone Management Portal to register for and write the online Small Advanced Exam.
On passing the Small Advanced Exam, book and pass the Flight Review -RPAS
On successfully passing the Flight Review, apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS)
Click here to book your training, or contact us if you have questions.
If you are a foreign operator (that is, you are not a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or a corporation incorporated by or under federal or provincial law and you want to fly in Canadian airspace), you must have an approved Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS) to fly a drone (RPA/UAV) for any purpose (recreational, work or research).
If you wish to operate your drone (RPA/UAV) for recreational purposes in the Basic Operations category, you must:
Access the Drone Management Portal to register for and write the online Small Basic Exam.
On successfully passing the Small Basic Exam, apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS).
If you wish to operate your drone (RPA/UAV) in the Basic Operations and Advanced Operations category, you must:
Attend a Transport Canada approved TP 15263 RPAS Ground School (Advanced Operations) course (Highly recommended)
On completion of training, access the Drone Management Portal to register for and write the online Small Advanced Exam.
On passing the Small Advanced Exam, book and pass the Flight Review -RPAS
On successfully passing the Flight Review, apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS)
Click here to book your training, or contact us if you have questions.