Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS)
Effective February 25, 2023, all MAAC members operating Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS, must comply with all Canadian Aviation Regulations, including CAR Part IX.
As part of this compliance, all persons flying a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), with a total flying weight greater than 250grams, outdoors, must now have as a minimum a Basic Pilot certificate and comply with all Canadian Aviation Regulations, including CAR Part IX regulations.
The links on this page are intended to assist members in understanding the requirements, as well as prepare for and successfully pass the government RPAS examination.
As part of this compliance, all persons flying a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), with a total flying weight greater than 250grams, outdoors, must now have as a minimum a Basic Pilot certificate and comply with all Canadian Aviation Regulations, including CAR Part IX regulations.
The links on this page are intended to assist members in understanding the requirements, as well as prepare for and successfully pass the government RPAS examination.
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot Recency Requirements
It is a Transport Canada requirement to complete a RPA Pilot Recency review every 24 months
The completion an of a questionnaire, available on-line, by remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) pilots satisfies the 24-month recurrent training program requirements of 901.56(1)(b)(iii) or 901.65(1)(b)(iii) in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).
Unlike the original exam, the renewal questionnaire is meant for self-study and answers are provided.
The Recency Questionnaire can be accessed at this link: 2024-2025 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot Recency Requirements - Self-Paced Study Program
A completed copy must be kept by the RPA Pilot and available while operating an RPAS
The completion an of a questionnaire, available on-line, by remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) pilots satisfies the 24-month recurrent training program requirements of 901.56(1)(b)(iii) or 901.65(1)(b)(iii) in the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).
Unlike the original exam, the renewal questionnaire is meant for self-study and answers are provided.
The Recency Questionnaire can be accessed at this link: 2024-2025 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot Recency Requirements - Self-Paced Study Program
A completed copy must be kept by the RPA Pilot and available while operating an RPAS
Transport Canada Website :
Getting a drone pilot certificate
Drone pilot study resources
RPAS exam: Overview
Flying your drone safely and legally
Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Basic RPAS Exam
Advanced RPAS Exam
Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM) - TP 14371
Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433)
Government of Canada Drone Safety Website
In order to complete the online exam, you will have to sign in to an account that uses either a GCKey generated with the Government, or through a sign-in partner. The sign in partner is generally the recommended method.
Getting a drone pilot certificate
Drone pilot study resources
RPAS exam: Overview
Flying your drone safely and legally
Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Basic RPAS Exam
Advanced RPAS Exam
Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM) - TP 14371
Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433)
Government of Canada Drone Safety Website
In order to complete the online exam, you will have to sign in to an account that uses either a GCKey generated with the Government, or through a sign-in partner. The sign in partner is generally the recommended method.
MAAC Website:
RPAS WILCO Part IX requires that every operator needs to complete a site survey for each day they will be flying. The MAACPRO version of RPAS Wilco is free to members and makes this very easy to do, and it can be done when you arrive on site for the day. That report will include just about everything you’ll need to satisfy the site survey requirements.
More information about the app and the free ‘maacpro’ version available to members can be found on the
MAAC website .
There is a bit of a learning curve to using the app effectively, so here are a few short training videos you can review.
Sign-up and initial set-up - how to activate RPAS WILCO and where to use the maacpro invitation code.
First-time Login - RPAS Wilco First Time Login - It is very important to set up your RPAS and user information before using RPAS WILCO.
Site Survey Basics - RPAS Wilco Site Survey - A site survey is a critical knowledge requirement for drone operations in Canada. You must also use official and up-to-date aeronautical information from NAV Canada. RPAS WILCO helps you create a site survey efficiently with the official aeronautical data from NAVCanada.
Checklists – a look at missions and checklists that will help with the flight log process, also required by the Part IX regulations.
RPAS WILCO Part IX requires that every operator needs to complete a site survey for each day they will be flying. The MAACPRO version of RPAS Wilco is free to members and makes this very easy to do, and it can be done when you arrive on site for the day. That report will include just about everything you’ll need to satisfy the site survey requirements.
More information about the app and the free ‘maacpro’ version available to members can be found on the
MAAC website .
There is a bit of a learning curve to using the app effectively, so here are a few short training videos you can review.
Sign-up and initial set-up - how to activate RPAS WILCO and where to use the maacpro invitation code.
First-time Login - RPAS Wilco First Time Login - It is very important to set up your RPAS and user information before using RPAS WILCO.
Site Survey Basics - RPAS Wilco Site Survey - A site survey is a critical knowledge requirement for drone operations in Canada. You must also use official and up-to-date aeronautical information from NAV Canada. RPAS WILCO helps you create a site survey efficiently with the official aeronautical data from NAVCanada.
Checklists – a look at missions and checklists that will help with the flight log process, also required by the Part IX regulations.
Other Useful Websites:
DonDronesOn Canada's number one source of training material for drone pilots
Don's RPAS Training Roadmap: A free downloadable guide to DonDroneOn videos
Nav Canada Information about retrieving aviation weather and NOTAMs
Free Detailed Study Guide for Transport Canada's RPAS Exam
Types of Clouds (With Pictures): A Visual Guide to Clouds
How to read VNCS (VFR Navigation Charts)
Time Zone in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
DonDronesOn Canada's number one source of training material for drone pilots
Don's RPAS Training Roadmap: A free downloadable guide to DonDroneOn videos
Nav Canada Information about retrieving aviation weather and NOTAMs
Free Detailed Study Guide for Transport Canada's RPAS Exam
Types of Clouds (With Pictures): A Visual Guide to Clouds
How to read VNCS (VFR Navigation Charts)
Time Zone in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)
