Get ready to fly your drone
Drone Pilot Certifications in Canada
Sky Drones Inc is dedicated to helping you be able to safely and legally operate your new drone.
At Sky Drones Inc, we’re dedicated to helping you fly your drone safely and legally, and our partnership with FlySmart Training provides you with a simple way to do just that. FlySmart, Canada’s leading drone training company, utilizes a blend of live-online and in-person courses to help students gain the skills and certifications required to operate drones in the field.
REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS
(RPAS) PILOT REQUIREMENTS
Transport Canada has specific regulations for all aircraft including drones. All together, these training components from FlySmart satisfy and exceed requirements for flying your drone professionally in Canada.
Step 1
Register your drone with Transport Canada ($5.00 CAD) and mark your drone with its registration number.
Step 2
Enroll in FlySmart Training’s Advanced Course. This course, available live-online or in-person, offers a deep dive into advanced drone operations, ensuring you’re prepared for any mission.
Step 3
Complete the Transport Canada Advanced Exam Online ($10.00 CAD). This exam will allow you to fly basic operations, and practice your flying skills before your Flight Review (Step 5).
Step 4
Complete the RPAS Restricted Radio Operators License (ROC-A) online or in-person.
Step 5
Complete your Flight Review with FlySmart Training’s experienced flight reviewers. Conducted in-person, this flight test ensures you are ready to fly safely and legally. This is also the last step to obtain your Advanced License.
Step 6
If you want to get permission for specific drone flight operations, such as those needed for spraying and spreading operations, you will need to apply for a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)* for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
*An SFOC-RPAS gives you permission to operate your drone for specific purposes under special conditions. See below for more information on SFOC’s.
Step 1
Register and mark your drone
Register your drone and manage registration on Canada.ca/drone-safety.
It only takes a few minutes and $5 to register your drone. You will need:
– The purchase date of your drone (if applicable)
– The make, model, serial number, weight, and type of drone
– Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Interac card
By registering your drone, you comply with Canada Transport laws and avoid fines from $1000 to $5000. If you lose your drone, registration may help in returning it to you if it is found.
After registering online, you will receive a registration number which must be promptly marked and clearly visible on your drone. You may use permanent marker, a permanent label, or engraving to do so.
Steps 2-4
Complete advanced courses
We are pleased to endorse FlySmart Training, a highly qualified RPAS Training provider with extensive experience in the field. They have a suite of courses conducted by commercial drone (RPAS) pilots with a wealth of flight experience.
ADVANCED OPERATIONS ONLINE TRAINING
FlySmart Training’s Advanced Course imparts knowledge on the regulations governing drone flight in Canada, supplemented by industry insights from instructors with knowledge in many fields of RPAS operations. After the course (which spans approximately 20 hours online), you will be ready for the Transport Canada Advanced drone pilot license exam, flight review, and any missions you plan to embark upon. The course is accessible through FlySmart Training’s Website.
RESTRICTED OPERATORS CERTIFICATE WITH AERONAUTICAL QUALIFICATION (ROC-A)
The ROC-A study guide is available on the Government of Canada’s website for free. Students must take the exam after studying. Expect written, practical or oral exercises from your instructor, who you must book an exam with.
Step 5
Complete in-person certification
Upon successful completion of the Advanced Course, you’re eligible to schedule your Flight Review with a FlySmart reviewer. This service is available across Canada. Once you successfully pass the Flight Review, you will receive your full Advanced Drone License from Transport Canada. This will allow you to conduct both basic and advanced RPAS operations within Canada. Advanced operations can include flying in controlled airspaces and flying near or over people.
Step 6
Complete Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)
An SFOC gives you permission to operate your drone outside the rules for a specific purpose. This certificate is mandatory if your mission includes aspects that are non-standard of a basic or advanced operation.
You will need an SFOC-RPAS certificate if you want to fly your drone beyond the rules for basic or advanced operations. For usual Sky Drones customers this could include flying a drone weighing over 25 kg, flying beyond visual line-of-sight, flying above 122 meters (400 ft), and for spraying or spreading drone operations. There are also many other reasons to obtain an SFOC which can be found here on Transport Canada’s website. Contact FlySmart for any further questions regarding SFOCs.
