RPAS Drone Training
The new regulations are out. Read the latest info!
Regulations Summary (Effective Nov 4th, 2025)
New privileges for Advanced Pilot Certificate holders
- Sheltered Operations
- Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS) flights
- The ability to fly heavier drones (<=150 Kg)
No additional training required.
Lower Risk Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Operations
- Requires ground school based on Transport Canada’s TP15530
- Requires Advanced and Level 1 Complex written exams and a flight review
- Requires RPAS Operators Certificate
Check Out Our Courses
Ground School
The pilot training covers:
- airspace classification and structure
- weather and notice to airmen (NOTAM) reporting services
- aeronautical charts and the Canada Flight Supplement
- relevant sections of the Canadian Aviation Regulations
Flight Training
If desired, a day of flight training is available using your RPAS for initial training that is 100% applicable to your specific needs. Covers all aspects of operations including flight planning, pre-flight inspection, checklists, takeoffs, landings and basic manoeuvres.
Note: Flight Planning and Operations Training for Level 1 Complex Ops is included in the Level 1 Complex ground school.
Contact Us For A
Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC)
If you need an SFOC, our training is required. More information is available on the Transport Canada website.
Syllabus
Aero-Photos.ca training programs have been developed by our President and Chief Pilot, Mike Venables. Mike has held a Commercial Pilot License for over 40 years with multi-engine land and sea ratings and an instrument endorsement. He was a glider instructor for a number of years and ran ground schools for more than one Flight Training Unit.
Mike graduated with a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering and has worked as an experimental test engineer for aircraft power plants (Pratt and Whitney Canada), an aircraft design engineer (Canadair/Bombardier Aerospace), a flight training simulator project engineer (CAE Electronics), a space systems training analyst (Canadian Space Agency) and an avionics product marketing manager (CMC Electronics).
The syllabus for all our Basic/Advanced courses is based on the outline defined in Transport Canada’s document “TP 15263 – Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely-Piloted Aircraft Systems”. Our Level 1 Complex courses are based on the equivalent document, TP 15530. There are, of course, many other aeronautical training references used to round out the material.
Training Delivery
Training for RPAS operations is carried out in-person in a traditional classroom environment with small groups. This allows for the most efficient knowledge transfer. In addition, students benefit from the classroom environment as a question asked by one student helps all students.
Aero-Photos.ca has developed a series of exams to verify that the learning objectives have been met. A certificate will be issued to each student upon successful completion.
Restricted (Radio) Operators Certificate – Aeronautical
It can be helpful during RPAS operations for the pilot to have a radio operators certificate. We can provide the training (if required) and the examination to issue the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada/Industry Canada ROC-A that will allow the RPAS pilot to communicate with other aircraft.
Insurance
While no longer required, commercial RPAS operators should carry third party liability insurance. This is readily available from a number of sources relatively inexpensively.