Canadian Aviation Regulations (SOR/96-433)
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Regulations are current to 2025-06-25 and last amended on 2023-06-21. Previous Versions
Part IX — Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (continued)
Subpart 1 — Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (continued)
Division IV — Basic Operations (continued)
Issuance of Pilot Certificate — Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS) — Basic Operations
901.55 The Minister shall, on receipt of an application, issue a pilot certificate — small remotely piloted aircraft (VLOS) — basic operations if the applicant demonstrates to the Minister that the applicant
(a) is at least 14 years of age; and
(b) has successfully completed the examination “Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems — Basic Operations” in accordance with the document entitled Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, 250 g up to and including 150 kg, Basic and Advanced Operations, TP 15263, published by the Minister.
Recency Requirements
901.56 (1) No holder of a pilot certificate — small remotely piloted aircraft (VLOS) — basic operations, a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations or a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — level 1 complex operations shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system under this Division unless the holder has, within the 24 months preceding the flight,
(a) been issued a pilot certificate — small remotely piloted aircraft (VLOS) — basic operations under section 901.55, a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations under section 901.64 or a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — level 1 complex operations under section 901.90; or
(b) successfully completed
(i) any of the examinations referred to in paragraph 901.55(b), 901.64(b) or 901.90(d),
(ii) any of the flight reviews referred to in paragraph 901.64(c) or 901.90(e), or
(iii) any of the recurrent training activities set out in section 921.04 of Standard 921 — Remotely Piloted Aircraft.
(2) The person referred to in subsection (1) shall keep a record of all activities referred to in paragraph (1)(b), including the dates on which they were completed, for at least 24 months after the day on which they were completed.
Access to Certificate and Proof of Recency
901.57 No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system under this Division unless both of the following are easily accessible to the pilot during the operation of the system:
(a) the pilot certificate — small remotely piloted aircraft (VLOS) — basic operations issued under section 901.55, the pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations issued under section 901.64 or the pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — level 1 complex operations issued under section 901.90; and
(b) documentation demonstrating that the pilot meets the recency requirements set out in section 901.56.
Examination Rules
901.58 No person shall, in respect of an examination taken under this Division,
(a) copy or remove from any place all or any portion of the text of the examination;
(b) give help to or accept help from any person during the examination, unless authorized by the Minister for accommodation purposes; or
(c) complete all or any portion of the examination on behalf of any other person.
Retaking of an Examination or Flight Review
901.59 No person who fails an examination taken under this Division shall retake the examination for a period of 24 hours after the examination.
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Division V — Advanced Operations
Application
901.62 This Division applies in respect of the following operations of a remotely piloted aircraft system:
(a) the operation of a small remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a VLOS operation
(i) in controlled airspace,
(ii) at a distance of less than 100 feet (30 m) but not less than 16.4 feet (5 m), measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation,
(iii) at a distance of less than 16.4 feet (5 m), measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation, or
(iv) within three nautical miles from the centre of an airport or within one nautical mile from the centre of a heliport;
(b) the operation of a small remotely piloted aircraft to conduct an extended VLOS operation in uncontrolled airspace;
(c) the operation of a small remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a sheltered operation;
(d) the operation of a medium remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a VLOS operation in uncontrolled airspace and at a distance of 500 feet (152.4 m) or more, measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation;
(e) the operation of a medium remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a VLOS operation in uncontrolled airspace and at a distance of less than 500 feet (152.4 m) but not less than 100 feet (30 m), measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation;
(f) the operation of a medium remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a VLOS operation at a distance of less than 100 feet (30 m), measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation; and
(g) the operation of a medium remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a VLOS operation in controlled airspace.
Pilot Requirements
901.63 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no person shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system under this Division unless the person
(a) is at least 16 years of age; and
(b) holds either
(i) a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations issued under section 901.64, or
(ii) a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — level 1 complex operations issued under section 901.90.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the operation of the remotely piloted aircraft system is conducted under the direct supervision of a person who is permitted to operate such a system under this Division or Division VI.
Issuance of Pilot Certificate — Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS) — Advanced Operations
901.64 The Minister shall, on receipt of an application, issue a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations if the applicant demonstrates to the Minister that the applicant
(a) is at least 16 years of age;
(b) has successfully completed the examination “Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems — Advanced Operations” in accordance with the document entitled Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, 250 g up to and including 150 kg, Basic and Advanced Operations, TP 15263, published by the Minister; and
(c) has, within 12 months before the date of application, successfully completed a flight review in accordance with section 921.02 of Standard 921 — Remotely Piloted Aircraft conducted by a person qualified to act as a flight reviewer under subsection 901.175(1).
Recency Requirements
901.65 (1) No holder of a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations or a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — level 1 complex operations shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system under this Division unless the holder has, within the 24 months preceding the flight,
(a) been issued a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations under section 901.64 or a pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — level 1 complex operations under section 901.90; or
(b) successfully completed
(i) any of the examinations referred to in paragraph 901.55(b), 901.64(b) or 901.90(d),
(ii) any of the flight reviews referred to in paragraph 901.64(c) or 901.90(e), or
(iii) any of the recurrent training activities set out in section 921.04 of Standard 921 — Remotely Piloted Aircraft.
(2) The person referred to in subsection (1) shall keep a record of all activities completed in accordance with paragraph (1)(b), including the dates on which they were completed, for at least 24 months after the day on which they were completed.
Access to Certificate and Proof of Recency
901.66 No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system under this Division unless both of the following are easily accessible during the operation of the system:
(a) the pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations issued under section 901.64 or the pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — level 1 complex operations issued under section 901.90; and
(b) documentation demonstrating that the pilot meets the recency requirements set out in section 901.65.
Examination Rules
901.67 No person shall commit an act referred to in paragraphs 901.58(a) to (c) in respect of an examination taken under this Division.
Retaking of an Examination or Flight Review
901.68 No person who fails an examination or a flight review taken under this Division shall retake the examination or flight review for a period of 24 hours after the examination or review.
Manufacturer Declaration — Permitted Operations
901.69 No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system under this Division to conduct any of the following operations unless a declaration to the Minister has been made in accordance with section 901.194 in respect of that model of system and in respect of each of the technical requirements set out in Standard 922 that is applicable to the operation:
(a) the VLOS operation of a small remotely piloted aircraft in controlled airspace;
(b) the VLOS operation of a small remotely piloted aircraft at a distance of less than 100 feet (30 m) but not less than 16.4 feet (5 m), measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation;
(c) the VLOS operation of a small remotely piloted aircraft at a distance of less than 16.4 feet (5 m), measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation;
(d) the operation of a small remotely piloted aircraft to conduct a sheltered operation in controlled airspace;
(e) the VLOS operation of a medium remotely piloted aircraft at a distance of 500 feet (152.4 m) or more, measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation;
(f) the VLOS operation of a medium remotely piloted aircraft at a distance of less than 500 feet (152.4 m) but not less than 100 feet (30 m), measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation;
(g) the VLOS operation of a medium remotely piloted aircraft at a distance of less than 100 feet (30 m), measured horizontally and at any altitude, from any person not involved in the operation; or
(h) the VLOS operation of a medium remotely piloted aircraft in controlled airspace.
Operation of a Modified Remotely Piloted Aircraft System
901.70 (1) No pilot shall conduct any of the operations described in section 901.69 using a remotely piloted aircraft system that has been modified in any way unless
(a) the pilot is able to demonstrate to the Minister that, despite the modification, the system continues to meet the technical requirements set out in Standard 922 that are applicable to the operation; and
(b) if applicable, the modification was performed in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer of the part or equipment used to modify the system.
(2) No pilot shall conduct an operation described in paragraph 901.69(f) or (g) using a remotely piloted aircraft system that has been modified in any way unless the modification was performed in accordance with the instructions of the person who has made a declaration referred to in 901.194 in respect of that model of system.
Operations in Controlled Airspace
901.71 (1) No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft in controlled airspace under this Division unless an authorization has been issued by the provider of air traffic services in the area of operation and, if requested, the following information has been provided to that provider:
(a) the date, time and duration of the operation;
(b) the category, registration number and physical characteristics of the aircraft;
(c) the vertical and horizontal boundaries of the area of operation;
(d) [Repealed, SOR/2025-70, s. 91]
(e) [Repealed, SOR/2025-70, s. 91]
(f) [Repealed, SOR/2025-70, s. 91]
(g) the name, contact information and pilot certificate number of any pilot of the aircraft;
(h) the procedures and flight profiles to be followed in the case of a lost command and control link;
(i) the procedures to be followed in emergency situations;
(j) the process and the time required to terminate the operation; and
(k) any other information required by the provider of air traffic services that is necessary for the provision of air traffic management.
(2) Despite section 901.25, a pilot may operate a remotely piloted aircraft in controlled airspace under this Division at an altitude above those referred to in that section if an authorization to that effect has been issued by the provider of air traffic services in the area of operation.
(3) No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft in controlled airspace under this Division unless the authorization referred to in subsection (1) is easily accessible to the pilot during the operation.
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