2024-2025 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Pilot Recency Requirements - Self-Paced Study Program

Completion of this questionnaire 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).

All remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) pilots who meet the requirements in CAR 901 are to answer questions 1 to 30.

Once completed by the RPA pilot, this questionnaire must be kept for 24 months with the mention of the date on which it was completed.

Note: This online page cannot be saved while you are working on it. You can choose to use the PDF version above or fill in the fields below. Once completed, you can print the completed version of this questionnaire or save in PDF format (through your web browser functions).

References are listed after each question. Many answers may be found in the Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (TC AIM). Other answers can be found in the AIP Canada (ICAO). Amendments to these publications may result in changes to answers and/or references.

The following resources are available online:

General Aviation Questions

TC AIM—GEN–General

  1. What is the definition of CFPS?

Reference: TC AIM MET 1.1.3 Aviation Weather Services

Answer 1

Collaborative Flight Planning Service.

 

TC AIM—AGA–Aerodromes

  1. Where a structure is provided with that are , paint marking of the structure may be omitted.

Reference: TC AIM AGA 6.4 Marking

Answer 2

Medium or high-intensity white flashing strobe lighting systems, operated during the day

 
  1. Hospital heliports are identified by a .

Reference: TC AIM AGA 5.5.3 Heliport Identification Markings

Answer 3

Red capital letter “H” centered within a white cross.

TC AIM—COM–Communications

  1. Current aircraft GPS receivers contain a model of the nominal day/night delay, but this model does not account for .

Reference: TC AIM COM 5.2.1 Global Positioning System (GPS)

Answer 4

Variable solar activity

 
  1. All radio communication equipment used in aeronautical services frequency band is required to be licensed by .

Reference: TC AIM COM 1.2 Regulations and Guidance Material

Answer 5

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)

 
  1.   has published phraseology guides intended as learning tools and reference for all pilots flying within Canadian airspace.

Reference: TC AIM COM1.2 Regulations and Guidance Material, Nav Canada VFR Phraseology

Answer 6

NAV CANADA

 

TC AIM—MET–Meteorology

  1. In the CFS (Canadian Flight Supplement), indicates that a NAV CANADA aviation weather camera is installed at the site.

Reference: TC AIM MET 1.2.3 Weather Services Definitions in Flight Publications

Answer 7

WxCam

 
  1. What is the abbreviation for ‘lightning’ in an aviation forecast?

Reference: TC AIM MET 15.0 Abbreviations – Aviation Forecasts

Answer 8

LTNG

 
  1. Space weather may influence GPS-based RPA functions, such as ”return to home”. Space weather advisories will contain information about conditions, as well as forecast levels for hours, hours, hours and hours ahead.

Reference: TC AIM MET 14.3 The ICAO Service Advisories

Answer 9

Current, 6, 12, 18, 24

 

TC AIM—RAC–Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Services

  1. How long must a pilot wait after CBD (cannabidiol) use prior to exercising duties as a crew member?

Reference: CAR 901.19(2) and TC AIM RPA 3.2.7 Fitness of Crew Members

Answer 10

28 days. The CARs require fitness for duty and state that no person shall act as a crew member of an aircraft while using or under the influence of any drug that impairs the person’s faculties to the extent that aviation safety is affected. Transport Canada’s new policy prohibits flight crews from consuming cannabis, including CBD (cannabidiol) for at least 28 days before being on duty.

 
  1. At uncontrolled aerodromes without a published MF (Mandatory Frequency) or ATF (Aerodrome Traffic Frequency), the common frequency for the broadcast of aircraft position and the intentions of pilots flying in the vicinity of that aerodrome is .

Reference: TC AIM RAC 4.5 Aircraft Operations – Uncontrolled Aerodromes

Answer 11

123.2 MHz

 
  1. No person shall act as a crew member of a remotely piloted aircraft within hours after consuming an alcoholic beverage.

Reference: CAR 901.19(2) and TC AIM Fitness of Crew Members

Answer 12

12

 
  1. No person shall operate an aircraft in the airspace below within of the limits of a forest fire area, or as described in a NOTAM.

Reference: CAR 601.15 and TC AIM RAC 2.9.2 Temporary Flight Restrictions—ForestFires

Answer 13

3 000 ft AGL, 5 NM

 

TC AIM—MAP—Aeronautical Charts and Publications

  1. Where can forest fire NOTAMs be found?

Reference: TC AIM MAP 3.5 NOTAM Distribution

Answer 14

NAV CANADA’s Web site.

Note: NOTAMs 5.1 may also be depicted on the NAV Drone App.

 

RPAS—Specific Questions

  1. Regarding Urban Airflow, what does the letter “D” stand for in “S D S T V”?

Reference: Drone Safety Web site – Tips and best practices for drone pilots

Answer 15

Direction

 
  1. How do the CARs Part IX define “mandatory action”?

Reference: CAR 900.01

Answer 16

“Mandatory action” means the inspection, repair or modification of a remotely piloted aircraft system that the manufacturer of the system considers necessary to prevent an unsafe or potentially unsafe condition.

 
  1. If an RPA responsibility handover is to be conducted during flight, a has to be established before takeoff.

Reference: CAR 901.42 and TC AIM RPA 3.2.30 Handovers

Answer 17

Handover plan agreed upon by all responsible pilots

 
  1. What records shall every owner of an RPAS keep, and for how long do they need to be retained to be made available to the Minister on request?
  1. , retained for
  2. , retained for

Reference: CAR 901.48 and TC AIM RPA 3.2.36 Records

Answer 18
  • a) a record containing the names of the pilots and other crew members who are involved in each flight and, in respect of the system, the time of each flight or series of flights;
    flight records retained for 12 months.
  • b) a record containing the particulars of any mandatory action and any other maintenance action, modification or repair performed on the system, including: (i) the names of the persons who performed them, (ii) the dates they were undertaken, (iii) in the case of a modification, the manufacturer, model and a description of the part or equipment installed to modify the system, and (iv) if applicable, any instructions provided to complete the work.;
    maintenance records retained for 24 months.
 
  1. The CARs state: “No holder of a pilot certificate—small remotely piloted aircraft (VLOS) [...] shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system unless the holder has, within the 24 months preceding the flight [...] successfully completed (Write one of the options):

Reference: CAR 901.56, 901.65, and TC AIM RPA 3.3.2.2 Recency Requirements

Answer 19
  • (i) either of the examinations “RPAS — Basic Operations” or “RPAS — Advanced Operations”,
  • (ii) a flight review referred to in paragraph 901.64(c), or
  • (iii) any of the recurrent training activities set out in section 921.04 of Standard 921:
    • (a) attendance at a safety seminar endorsed by Transport Canada Aviation;
    • (b) completion of an RPAS recurrent training program designed to update pilot knowledge, which includes, human factors, environmental factors, route planning, operations near aerodromes/airports, and applicable regulations, rules and procedures; or
    • (c) completion of a Transport Canada endorsed self-paced study program, which is designed to update pilot knowledge in the subjects specified in paragraph (b).
 
  1. Reckless or negligent operation of an RPAS is applicable to?
    1. Only small RPA operated under the Basic Operations regulations
    2. Only small RPA operated under the Advanced Operations regulations
    3. Not applicable to micro RPA operations
    4. All RPA weight categories including Micro-drones

Reference: CAR 900.06 and TC AIM RPA 2.0

Answer 20

d) All RPA weight categories including Micro-drones

 
  1. The operation of an RPA in restricted airspace (under section 5.1 of the Aeronautics Act, a Class F CYR or a forest fire) without authorization from the user/controlling agency is prohibited to?
    1. Only small RPA operated under the Basic Operations regulations
    2. Only small RPA operated under the Advanced Operations regulations
    3. Not applicable to micro RPA operations
    4. All aircraft, including all RPA weight categories

Reference:  AA 5.1, CAR 601.04, 601.15, 901.14 and TC AIM 2.0 MICRO REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPA)—LESS THAN 250 g and 3.2.3 Class F Restricted Airspace

Answer 21

d) All Aircraft, including all RPA weight categories

 
  1. Transport Canada provides five privacy guidelines for recreational drone pilots regarding the Privacy Act. What are the five guidelines?

Reference: Drone Safety Web site

Answer 22
  • a) Be accountable
  • b) Limit collection
  • c) Obtain consent
  • d) Store information securely
  • e) Be open and responsive about your activities
 
  1. The use of night-vision goggles by the pilot (does / does not) remove the requirement for the remotely piloted aircraft to have position lights.

Reference: CAR 901.39 Night Flight Requirements

Answer 23

Does not

 
  1. A pilot can operate a RPAS using a first-person view device only if, at all times during flight, the detect and avoid functions with respect to conflicting aircraft or other hazards beyond the field of view displayed on the device.

Reference: CAR 901.38 and TC AIM RPA 3.2.26 First-person View (FPV) Devices

Answer 24

A visual observer performs

 
  1. What are the 8 factors who shall be taken into account before commencing RPAS operations while conducting a site survey, to determine that the site for take-off, launch, landing or recovery is suitable?

Reference: CAR 901.27 TC AIM RPA 3.2.15 Site Survey

Answer 25
  • (a) the boundaries of the area of operation;
  • (b) the type of airspace and the applicable regulatory requirements;
  • (c) the altitudes and routes to be used on the approach to and departure from the area of operation;
  • (d) the proximity of manned aircraft operations;
  • (e) the proximity of aerodromes, airports and heliports;
  • (f) the location and height of obstacles, including wires, masts, buildings, cell phone towers and wind turbines;
  • (g) the predominant weather and environmental conditions for the area of operation; and
  • (h) the horizontal distances from persons not involved in the operation.
 
  1. According to CARs Part IX, what documents shall an RPA pilot have and make available on request when operating an RPAS?

Reference: CARs Part IX and TC AIM RPA Chapter

Answer 26

RPA Pilot Certificate according to the operating environment (basic or advanced), RPA Certificate of Registration, Registration markings visible on the RPA, RPAS Operating Manual, operating procedures and emergency procedures – according to CAR 901.23.

For advanced environments, if applicable: relevant safety statement from the RPAS manufacturer specified on the valid Certificate of Registration, for controlled airspace authorization from the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) and a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)-RPAS according to CAR 903.01.

 
  1. Advertised event means:

Reference: CAR 901.41 and TC AIM RPA 3.2.29 Advertised Events

Answer 27

An outdoor event that is advertised to the general public, including a concert, festival, market or sporting event

 
  1. When using your RPASRPA in Canada near the U.S. border, can you fly outside of Canadian airspace?

Yes / No

Reference: CAR 901.13 and TC AIM RPA 3.2.3.1 Prohibition — Canadian Domestic Airspace

Answer 28

No

 
  1. No pilot shall operate an RPA at or near an aerodrome that is listed in the CFS (Canada Flight Supplement) or the WAS (Canadian Water Aerodrome Supplement)

Reference: CAR 901.47 and TC AIM RPA 3.2.35 Operations at or in the Vicinity of an Aerodrome, Airport or Heliport

Answer 29

in a manner that could interfere with an aircraft operating in the established traffic pattern

 
  1. No pilot shall operate an RPA at a distance of less than from the centre of an aerodrome operated under the authority of the Minister of National Defence unless the operation is conducted in accordance with a .

Reference: CAR 901.47 and TC AIM RPA 3.2.35 Operations at or in the Vicinity of an Aerodrome, Airport or Heliport

Answer 30

Three nautical miles, special flight operations certificate (SFOC) — RPAS issued under section 903.03

 

Certification

Name:

 

Pilot Certificate #:

 

Date:

 

I certify that I have completed this questionnaire to satisfy the 24-month recurrent training program requirements of CARs 901.56(1)(b)(iii) and 901.65(1)(b)(iii).

I will retain this questionnaire and make it available when requested.

Signature: