Drone operation categories and pilot certificates: Advanced operations

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You must have and be able to show your Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations and proof of drone registration when you fly.

For most advanced operations, you can only use drones that meet the safety assurance requirements for the advanced operation you want to conduct. See list of drones with safety assurance declarations.

An advanced certificate gives you more privileges than a basic certificate. With an advanced certificate, you can fly:

Fly within the operational limits of your drone and respect weather requirements for the operation. Always survey the area where you will fly.

Where you can fly

You can fly a small or medium drone:

  • in controlled airspace with permission from air traffic control
  • less than 5.6 kilometers (3 nautical miles) from the center of a certified airport
  • less than 1.9 kilometers (1 nautical mile) of a heliport

Seek permission from air traffic control (NAV CANADA or the Department of National Defence) to fly in controlled airspace (request an RPAS Flight Authorization from NAV CANADA).

You will need permission from the Department of National Defence to fly less than 5.6 kilometers (3 nautical miles) from the center of a military aerodrome.

Learn more about where you can fly and how to seek permission.

Small drones in VLOS

With an advanced operations certificate and with the appropriate declaration, you can use a small drone (250 g to 25 kg) to:

  • fly in controlled airspace
  • fly less than 30 meters (100 feet) but more than 5 metres (16.4 feet) from any person (measured horizontally) and
  • fly within 5 metres (16.4 feet) of any person (measured horizontally), or over any person
Drone safety feature requirements
Small drone operation RPAS Standard Type of declaration required CARs reference
VLOS operation in controlled airspace 922.04 Declaration 901.69 (a)
VLOS operation near people, at a distance of less than 30 m (100 ft) but more than 5 m (16.4 ft) from any person not involved in the operation 922.05 Declaration 901.69 (b)
VLOS operation over people, at a distance of less than 5 meters (16.4 ft) from any person not involved in the operation 922.06 Declaration 901.69(c)

See list of drones with safety assurance declaration

Sheltered operations (small drones only)

Sheltered operations means flying a small drone around a building or structure without maintaining direct visual line-of-sight and without the use of a visual observer. Rules for sheltered operations include:

  • Fly at an altitude no greater than 100 feet (30 m) above that building or structure
  • Keep your drone within 200 feet (61 m), measured horizontally, from a building or structure
  • Keep your drone within 3.7 km (two nautical miles) from the pilot and the control station at any time during the flight
  • The pilot and control station must be located at the site set aside for take-off, launch, landing or recovery at the time of those activities
  • The operation is conducted at a distance of at least 100 feet (30 m), measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation
Drone safety feature requirements
Small Drone Operation RPAS Standard Type of Declaration Required CARs reference
Sheltered Operation in Controlled Airspace 922.04 Declaration 901.69 (d)

See list of drones with safety assurance declaration.

Extended visual line-of-sight (EVLOS) operations (small drones only)

EVLOS means flying a small drone that is not in visual line-of-sight but using a trained and certified visual observer. The observer watches the surrounding airspace well enough to detect and avoid other aircraft or hazards. The visual observer must have at least a basic drone pilot certificate.

EVLOS can only be done in uncontrolled airspace with a small drone and at least 100 feet (30 m) away from any person.

Keep your drone within 3.7 km (two nautical miles) from the pilot, the control station and the visual observer at any time during the flight.

Medium drones in VLOS

Any operations using a medium drone (more than 25 kg to 150 kg) are advanced operations (or beyond).

You must always fly within your visual line-of-sight.

With the appropriate safety assurance declarations, you can fly a medium drone:

  • more than 152.4 metres (500 feet) from any person not involved in the operation
  • less than 152.4 metres (500 feet) but more than 30 metres (100 feet) of any person (measured horizontally)
  • within 30 metres (100 feet) from any person (measured horizontally), over people
  • in controlled airspace
Drone safety feature requirements
Medium Drone Operation RPAS Standard Type of Declaration Required CARs reference
VLOS operation away from people, at a distance of more than 500 ft (152.4 m) from any person not involved in the operation 922.08 (1, 2) Declaration 901.69 (e)
VLOS operation near people, at a distance of less than 500 ft (152.4 m) but more than 100ft (30m) from any person not involved in the operation 922.07 Pre-Validated Declaration 901.69 (f)
VLOS operation over people, at a distance of less than 100 ft (30 m) from any person not involved in the operation 922.07 Pre-Validated Declaration 901.69(g)
VLOS operation in controlled airspace 922.04,
922.08 (1, 2)		 Declaration 901.69 (h)

See list of drones with safety assurance declaration.

How to get a drone Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations

You need to be 16 years old to get an Advanced certificate.

To get your Advanced operations certificate, you need to:

  1. pass the online exam for advanced operations
  2. pass a flight review
  3. apply for a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations

About the Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations

Drone pilots who hold a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations can conduct both basic and advanced operations.

Once the $25.00 fee is paid when you apply, you will be issued a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations. You can download and print your certificate through the Drone Management Portal.

Your pilot certificate does not expire, but you need to keep your skills up-to-date.

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