Does a Drone Licence Expire in Canada?
Congratulations on the acquisition of your drone licence! It is a big step in your progress as a Canadian drone pilot. Moreover, it is the first of many educational assignments in your quest to master the intricacies of remote-controlled flight.
Acquiring that first certificate is a significant accomplishment, a milestone that no one can ever take away from you.
Or can they?
Your Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) licence never officially expires in Canada. Even so, drone operation is an ongoing, ever-evolving skill. Your training obligations do not end the moment you receive your licence. Instead, they commit you to updating your knowledge every 24 months.
Understanding Drone Licences in Canada
A drone licence, otherwise known as a drone pilot certificate, is required for operators in Canada flying drones larger than 250 grams. Either printed or electronic form works.
You can receive two types of licence : Basic or Advanced.
The Small Basic Exam runs online and consists of 35 multiple-choice questions. Once you complete it, a Basic Licence allows you to fly under a list of specified conditions.
- Your drone must be flown in uncontrolled airspace (under 400 feet or roughly 192 metres) and at a horizontal distance of 30 metres away (100 feet) from any bystanders.
- You must not permit your drone to hover or fly directly above other people.
- As a pilot, you must ensure your drone maintains a distance of more than three nautical miles from any certified airport or military aerodrome and at least one nautical mile away from any certified heliport.
Any deviation from the rules described above requires an Advanced Licence, otherwise known as a Pilot Certificate – Advanced Operations. This licence involves the following steps:
- Successful completion of an online exam.
- Passing a flight review.
- Applying for the licence through Transport Canada’s official Drone Management Portal.
Any drone weighing between 250 grams and 25 kg has to be registered with the government. Thankfully, the online registration process is relatively straightforward. Furthermore, that registration number must appear on the unit itself.
New operators should also note one more duty. If a drone is ever sold, lost, or damaged beyond repair, you must de-register it through the same portal.
Whether you hold a basic or advanced licence, you must produce proof of your Pilot Certification on request. That applies whenever you are out operating your drone.
Drone Pilot Certificate Validity
As a licensed drone pilot in Canada, remember that your training is not a one-time event. Rather, it is an ongoing process. Updates and recertification fall due every 24 months, so you stay current with the latest regulations and best practices.
Licensed drone pilots in Canada must carry documented proof of their most current training whenever a drone is in the air. In addition, that verification must be available for inspection on request.
You can achieve this mandated renewal in several ways. Options include retaking previous tests, attending any of Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation safety seminars, joining a designated recurrent training program, or completing the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Recency Requirements Self-Paced Study Program.
Whichever skills validation process you choose, most require only a few hours or less. However, the costs associated with each may vary.
Perhaps you are curious about the specific guidelines on Licences and Ratings and Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs). If so, this Transport Canada page outlines the rules.
We also encourage you to contact a drone school familiar with Canada’s official Knowledge Requirement for Pilots curriculum. By doing so, you receive the best training. Furthermore, you join a community of like-minded enthusiasts and commercial pilots who exchange relevant information.
Drone pilots in Canada must know their equipment and feel comfortable with operating protocols. However, they must also stay current on the latest legalities and ever-evolving regulation changes. Many rules govern the use of drones in Canadian airspace. Ultimately, greater awareness ensures the safety and security of everyone around you.
Never forget that drones are aircraft. Failure to comply with Canada’s aviation rules can lead to hefty fines, and possibly even jail time. Nobody wants to hurt someone, damage property, or endanger commercial aircraft. Therefore, always rely on a government-approved flight training centre for the latest information and educational support.
Renewing a Drone Pilot Certificate
Per Transport Canada’s laws and regulations, your capacity to legally fly in Canadian airspace depends on proof of your recency training.
As mentioned previously, the form of this supplemental educational component can include any of the following:
- Retaking the Small Basic Exam or Small Advanced Exam.
- Passing a flight review from an authorized training centre.
- Attending a Transport Canada Civil Aviation safety seminar such as “Beyond the Stable Approach and Aircraft Modifications” and others.
- Completing a recency training program by an approved drone flight school (like the one offered through Coastal Drone).
- Filling out Transport Canada’s sponsored Self-Paced Study Program based on the type of licence already in your possession.
Your participation in any activity listed above reinforces your previous learning. In turn, it builds your knowledge base every 24 months.
Keeping your drone skills up to date is essential for safe and responsible operation. That applies whether you’re an avid prosumer or an in-demand professional.
Factors Affecting Certificate Validity
Anyone is welcome to apply for a drone licence. In terms of restrictions, you must be at least 14 to get your basic licence, and 16 or older for an advanced licence. However, once you attain that licence, a lot can happen in the two years between mandated recency sessions.
As a licensed drone pilot, you must adhere to Canada’s Aviation Regulations. In addition, you must know the laws in Canada’s criminal code. Be particularly mindful of rules on trespassing, mischief, voyeurism, and privacy when operating in populated areas. Violating these laws can bring legal action, including potential suspension of your flying privileges.
Changes to Regulations
Canada has some of the most stringent drone laws. Moreover, as drone technology advances, so do the regulations governing its use. Therefore, all pilots, recreational or professional, should stay informed about changes that could affect their operations.
One way to stay in the loop is by connecting with a community of drone enthusiasts, locally or online, who share your interest in the latest developments.
Safety Incidents
Perhaps you have observed someone breaking the rules, or encountered a close call yourself. Either way, document such activity and report any and all potential safety risks officially.
Medical Conditions
If you have experience flying drones, you know it requires hand-eye coordination and can be mentally demanding. Perhaps you are feeling seriously fatigued, or you have experienced a debilitating health setback since your last recurrency check. In either case, be honest with yourself about your physical and mental state before every flight.
Commercial airline pilots undergo medical examinations. As drone pilots, meanwhile, you must self-assess your current state before every flight to help prevent accidents.
Maintaining Certificate Validity
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are operating your drone within all legal parameters.
To maintain the validity of a drone pilot certificate, pilots must:
- Complete the online refresher course every 24 months.
- Pass the written exam every 24 months.
- Disclose any changes to medical conditions.
- Comply with regulations and safety procedures.
Failure to comply could result in stiff fines (or even prison sentencing) for individuals. In Canada, operators could face:
- Fines up to $1,000 for operating without a licence.
- Fines up to $1,000 for flying unregistered/unmarked drones.
- Fines up to $1,000 for flying outside designated legal boundaries.
- Fines up to $3,000 for endangering people or other aircraft.
Conclusion
Flying a drone can be fun, profitable, and incredibly valuable. However, the old saying, “With great power comes great responsibility,” seems appropriate for drone operators in Canadian airspace.
Attaining a drone licence in Canada demonstrates your commitment to legal compliance. Your dedication to recency training makes you a pilot!
Does your drone licence expire? No. Does it require consistent updating to be valid? Yes.
Perhaps you want to pursue future opportunities around unmanned aircraft vehicle systems (UAVS), or remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). In that case, staying current with the latest technology and the rules governing operation is essential.
Maintaining your licence and advancing your skills is much easier when you have strong support and coaching. Coastal Drone is available to help guide you on your journey.