RPAS flight reviews, done properly
The written exam gets you halfway. The flight review is where Transport Canada checks that you can actually operate safely — and it's where plenty of otherwise-competent pilots come unstuck.
What is an RPAS flight review?
An RPAS flight review is an in-person practical assessment conducted by a Transport Canada-recognised flight reviewer. It is mandatory for the Advanced RPAS pilot certificate — passing the written exam alone does not grant Advanced privileges. The reviewer assesses your pre-flight preparation, in-flight handling, regulatory knowledge, and post-flight procedures. There is no fixed duration; it takes as long as it takes to demonstrate competence.
You must have passed the Small Advanced Operations exam before you can book a review. Your aircraft must be registered with Transport Canada if it weighs 250 grams or more, and you must be able to produce the documentation for it.
What the reviewer is actually looking for
The review is not a flying test in the sense of demonstrating impressive manoeuvres. It is an assessment of whether you operate like a pilot — whether you plan, brief, assess risk, and handle the unexpected in a structured way.
| Phase | What's assessed |
|---|---|
| Pre-flight briefing | Site survey, airspace research, weather interpretation, NOTAM review, risk assessment, and your ability to explain the regulatory basis for the operation you're proposing. |
| Aircraft & documents | Registration, marking, condition of the aircraft, battery state, and the documents you're required to have on hand. |
| In-flight | Control of the aircraft, maintaining visual line of sight, airspace awareness, adherence to the limits you briefed, and response to a simulated abnormal situation. |
| Post-flight | Securing the aircraft, battery handling, logging, and your debrief of how the flight went. |
Walk in prepared. Our Site Survey & Authorization Kit is a fillable record built on the eight factors of CARs 901.27 — complete it for your review location and you've done the single thing reviewers most want to see. CA$19.
The most common reason for a re-attempt is not stick skills — it's an incomplete or unconvincing pre-flight briefing. Candidates who can't articulate why the operation is legal, or who haven't genuinely researched the airspace, struggle before the drone leaves the ground.
How we run it
We start with an honest conversation about where you're at. If it's clear during the briefing that you're not ready, we'd rather tell you and reschedule than take your money for a review you're going to fail. That happens rarely, but it happens.
The review itself follows the standard structure above. Afterwards you get a full debrief — what met standard, what was marginal, and what to work on regardless of the outcome.
Book a flight review
Two ways to work with us, depending on how much support you want.
Flight Review Preparation Guide
A structured preparation package covering exactly what the reviewer will ask, how to build a site survey that stands up to scrutiny, and how to brief an operation properly. For pilots who want to walk in knowing what's coming.
EnquireAdvanced Flight Review
The full in-person Advanced RPAS flight review, including pre-flight briefing, flight assessment, and post-flight debrief. Conducted by a certified reviewer. You must hold a passing grade on the Advanced written exam to book.
Book a reviewLocations and availability vary by region. Email us with your location and we'll confirm what we can arrange.
Flight review questions
Do I need to pass the written exam first?
Yes. You must hold a passing grade on the Transport Canada Small Advanced Operations exam before booking a flight review. The exam is 50 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes with an 80% pass mark, written online through the Drone Management Portal. You must be 16 or older to sit it.
How long does the review take?
There's no set time limit — the duration depends on your performance. In practice most reviews run one to two hours including the briefing and debrief. Budget half a day so you're not rushing.
Whose drone do I use?
Your own. The review assesses you operating the aircraft you actually fly, which means it needs to be registered with Transport Canada and in airworthy condition, with the registration number correctly marked.
What if I fail?
You get a debrief identifying what didn't meet standard and you can re-attempt after further preparation. There's no cap on attempts, though each is a separate booking. Plenty of capable pilots need a second attempt. It isn't a mark against you.
How should I prepare?
Know the regulations cold, and be able to explain the legal basis for the operation you're proposing. Practise building a real site survey. Our RPAS Operations Guide covers the knowledge side, and the site survey and operational risk assessment chapters map directly onto what the reviewer will ask you.
Still studying for the written exam?
Our 44-page operations guide covers the full Advanced syllabus for CA$29.
Get the guide