Level 1 Complex Operations Certificate
UNLOCK BVLOS OPERATIONS AND TAKE ON CANADA'S MOST ADVANCED DRONE PROJECTS
Introducing Our Level 1 Complex Pilot Bundle
Everything You Need To Complete Your Level 1 Complex Pilot Certificate! Canada-Wide In-Person Flight Review Included!
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Over 20,000 Course Enrollments from Individuals to Large Organizations
Get Your Level 1 Complex Certificate And Unlock BVLOS Operations
The Coastal Drone Level 1 Complex Bundle prepares you to pass the L1C Transport Canada exam and complete your Level 1 Complex Pilot Certificate, unlocking beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations without a Special Flight Operations Certificate.
Included with the Pilot Bundle is the in-person Flight Review, plus the Standard Operating Procedures Guide to help you build your site survey, normal, emergency, and incident reporting procedures.
Expand Into BVLOS & Take On Complex Projects
The Level 1 Complex Pilot Bundle is ideal for pilots who already hold their Advanced Certificate and want to move into inspection, mapping, agriculture, or infrastructure work that requires flying beyond visual line-of-sight.
If the following points are true, the Level 1 Complex Pilot Bundle is a good fit for you:
- You already hold your Advanced Pilot Certificate
- You need to fly beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS)
- You operate in sparsely populated or rural areas
- You want to pass Transport Canada's Level 1 Complex Exam
- You want to expand into inspection, mapping, or agriculture work that requires BVLOS
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS
IAN WILLS & FINN LEAHY
Ian and Finn bring real-world commercial drone experience to every course, from complex BVLOS operations to day-to-day flight reviews across Canada.
Between them, they’ve trained pilots through every certification level and built Coastal Drone’s curriculum around what actually happens in the field, not just what’s on the exam.
What’s Included
The Level 1 Complex Pilot Bundle Includes The Following 4 Courses:
RPAS Online, On-Demand Ground School | Level 1 Complex
Our comprehensive Online, On-Demand L1C Ground School is designed to teach you everything you need to know to pass Transport Canada’s Level 1 Complex exam and operate safely beyond visual line-of-sight.
This course is compliant with TP15530 – Transport Canada’s Level 1 Complex Operations knowledge requirement document, covering 190 lessons across the full L1C curriculum.
You’ll learn the regulations, risk assessment, and operational procedures specific to BVLOS flight, including site surveys, emergency procedures, and airspace coordination.
To simulate an intimate teaching experience, the L1C Ground School uses high-end video and animations, giving you the benefit of being in a classroom setting without having to leave your home.
As an added bonus, the course is taught by instructors with real-world commercial BVLOS experience.
Online, On-Demand Exam Prep | Level 1 Complex
Passing Transport Canada’s Level 1 Complex knowledge exam with confidence is what every BVLOS pilot wants.
Taking our L1C Exam Prep course will give you a good idea of the types of questions you can expect and will give you additional resources to help you prepare for the Level 1 Complex exam. We even suggest a few tabs to keep open as you write!
You can simulate the exam as many times as you need to feel comfortable before writing the real Transport Canada exam. Our students find this to be an essential part of their training, and we know you will too.
Transport Canada has a few curveballs on the L1C exam. Our Exam Prep course, with sample questions modeled on the real thing, helps you get familiarized with the TC style and explains why the right answer is the right answer, so you learn as you go.
Standard operating procedures guide
Professional pilots always use checklists and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and BVLOS operations demand even more rigor.
To make things easier for you, we’ve created an easy-to-use L1C SOP guide so you can understand the CAR requirements and build your site survey, normal, emergency, and incident reporting procedures.
IN-person flight review and prep course
The “Flight Review” is the last exam you must pass in order to obtain your Level 1 Complex Pilot Certificate.
It is an in-person test which covers flight techniques and practical skills like map reading and air law comprehension. Coastal Drone Co has a network of flight reviewers and testing sites all across Canada so you can take your review quickly and conveniently.
This online program collects the fee for the in-person flight review, takes you through the process to actually book the test, and comes with a complimentary online course which will enable you to come to your exam prepared and ready to pass!
Need To Purchase The Courses For The Level 1 Complex Exam And Flight Review Separately?
Level 1 Complex Package
Enroll Now In The Level 1 Complex Pilot Bundle And Get Everything You Need For Your L1C Pilot Certificate For Just $2,046.45.
Here’s a quick recap of what’s included:
- L1C Ground School: Everything you need to know to fly safely and confidently under Level 1 Complex operations.
- L1C Exam Prep: Helps you prepare for the Transport Canada Level 1 Complex exam ahead of time so you can pass it on your first try.
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Guide: Model professional pilots and cut down on mistakes by using our easy to follow SOPs.
- Flight Review and Prep Guide to help you prepare for and pass the in-person flight review that's required to obtain your Level 1 Complex pilot certificate.
Get instant access for 12 months!
Get Certified - Start Flying Safely and Confidently
- Learn From The Best: Your instructors, Ian and Finn, bring real-world BVLOS operations experience and a track record of practical drone regulation expertise.
- Ace The Exam: Transport Canada's Level 1 Complex exam is no joke! Our L1C Pilot Bundle gives you the preparation, practice, and confidence you need to pass with flying colours.
- Take Your Skills to the Next Level: Included in this bundle is L1C Ground School, which teaches you everything you need to plan and execute BVLOS operations. It also covers site survey and risk assessment best practices so you're always ready to fly.
- Stand Apart from the Crowd: Earning your Level 1 Complex pilot certificate opens the door to BVLOS work most drone pilots can't touch. The L1C Pilot Bundle will help you complete the exam and your in-person flight review with ease.
Need To Purchase The Components Of Our Level 1 Complex Pilot Bundle Separately?
L1C Online Package
This package comes with three online courses which will prepare you to pass the Level 1 Complex written exam!
- L1C Ground School
- L1C Exam Prep
- SOP Guide
Flight Review Package
This package comes with everything you will need to schedule, prepare for, and pass your in-person flight review exam!
- In-person flight review exam
- Online flight review prep course
Getting certified as a pilot is required by law when flying drones that weigh over 250 grams.
Enroll now in our full Level 1 Complex Pilot Bundle and get started today!
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FAQS
Most Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — since June 1, 2019, anyone flying a drone over 250 g outdoors in Canada needs a pilot certificate, whether you’re flying for fun or for work. There are now three certification levels — Basic, Advanced, and Level 1 Complex Operations — and the one you need depends on where you fly and how close you get to bystanders.
Flying without a pilot certification can lead to hefty fines. Individuals caught flying without a license can face fines of up to $3000 for their first offence. For organizations, those fines can go up to $15,000! Worst case scenario is being charged with a criminal offence.
Canada now has three pilot certification levels:
1) BASIC — uncontrolled airspace (away from airports), always more than 30 m from bystanders.
2) ADVANCED — controlled airspace, near airports, and operations closer than 30 m to (or over) bystanders. This is the certificate most working pilots need.
3) LEVEL 1 COMPLEX OPERATIONS — new as of November 2025. Permits lower-risk beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations without a Special Flight Operations Certificate. Requires an Advanced certificate first.
If you fly frequently or for work, get your Advanced — it gives you the most day-to-day freedom and it’s the prerequisite for Level 1 Complex.
They are no joke! Transport Canada has some tricky questions in there, and it can get overwhelming. Taking our Exam Prep course is a great way to get yourself ready and confident to pass
RPAS stands for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System. It’s the technical term for “drone” and it is the official government term you will see in any laws or regulations related to drones. Previously, Transport Canada referred to these aircraft as UAV so many provincial and municipal bylaws will still reference drones this way, but it means the same thing.
You must not cause a hazard to people or their property while flying your drone. If you do, you can be subject to fines and/or criminal charges. We always recommend getting at least the basic pilot certificate regardless of drone weight as it will only help you stay out of trouble!
Don’t have your Advanced Certificate yet? That’s your required first step before Level 1 Complex. Get Advanced Certified →