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RPAS Training Programs

We at Dragon Air UAS will now be offering online courses with instructors for the Basic and Advanced course certifications. This is tailored to a more individual and small class approach and structure. Email or call for more information.

The new Pilot Certificates are now available as part of the new RPAS rules in Canada and will be mandatory for all drone pilots, effective June 1, 2019. Transport Canada has developed a set of RPAS online Exams for Pilot Certifications (Basic and Advanced). We are listed as a registered training facility and school with Transport Canada.

In addition to the online exam for Advanced, Transport Canada also requires a Flight Review conducted by an accredited Flight Examiner (Dragon Air UAS) to obtain the Advanced Pilot Certificate, due to the complex nature of operations permitted for that Certificate.

 You must access the Transport Canada Portal to create your Transport Canada account and register your drones before you take the online exams.

The new exams cover a range of topics, including Air Regulations and Laws, RPAS Technology and Operations, Weather, Human Factors, and Manned Aviation. Suppose you can gather a basic understanding from the manned aviation world in areas such as aviation charts, weather, radio, and other related topics, as well as RPAS, associated CARs, and other relevant subjects. In that case, it will be helpful in successfully passing your exams the first time. As we went through the exam process, we found we needed a range of documents to study from, based on the range of topics.

We have listed the ones we found most useful and included links to them where available. Transport Canada will publish an RPAS-related Study Guide later this year to assist students; in the meantime, this list covers most of the essentials. We have included some Pilot Documents from the FAA, as they cover similar topics and cover the material in an understandable language.

 Students should study the following guidelines before taking the course or exam. Documents that are recommended reading are:

  • Canada Flight Supplement (CFS)

  • Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems 250 g and up.

  • Operating within the visual line of sight.

  • Operating BVLOS.

  • Transport Canada Aeronautical Information knowledge

  • FAA AIM

  • FAA Pilot’s RPAS Study Guide

  • Aviation Weather Services Guide

  • Canada Flight Supplement (CFS) sample version

  • Flight Training Manual, Transport Canada, 4th edition

  • Unmanned-Textbook for RPAS Studies

  • Environment Canada Clouds Poster

 

FLIGHT EXAM PREPARATION

There is limited existing material to study for the Flight Review, and it requires an extensive set of documents, checklists, and procedures to be in place to be successful on the exam. The best resource for gaining insight into what Flight Reviewers require is to take a course from a Training School such as ours and prepare and practice for the exam.

Based on our review experience so far, individuals who have not done so beforehand are struggling to pass the level of detail required for the Advanced Pilot Certificates.

It is always a great idea to take a course from a reputable RPAS Training Institution, such as Dragon Air UAS, and to prepare for the Advanced Exam and Flight Review.

While online courses are available for individuals who need a refresher, we prefer and promote in-person training due to the complexity and depth of knowledge required for the Advanced Pilot Certificate, as well as the opportunity for in-depth instruction and interaction with the instructor and other students.

Please call or email us for more information and to inquire about course schedules.

Once you have completed the Transport Canada-administered Small  Advanced Exam and obtained a Certificate of Registration for your RPAS, an in-person Flight Review must be completed to demonstrate your ability to fly and apply the knowledge from the Small Advanced Exam.

AVAILABLE COURSES:

1.  (A004) Advanced Operations- RPAS Ground School

Designed to meet and exceed Transport Canada’s RPAS Pilot Knowledge Requirements (TP 15263) this training covers the knowledge required to conduct advanced flight operations with small RPAS in Canada. Upon completion of this course participants will be able to:

·  Describe the regulatory requirements to conduct legal RPAS operations in Canada.

·  Critically assess the factors that have the potential to introduce risk to RPAS operations and describe how they would mitigate those identified risks.

·  Access, analyze aeronautical charts and flight publications to conduct site surveys, Air Traffic Control coordination, property permission, and pre-flight activities.

 ·  Retrieve weather and NOTAM information and assess the impact on flight operations.

 ·  Assess the airworthiness of their aircraft before and during a flight operation.

 ·  Conduct radio operations on frequencies designated for Aeronautical applications in Canada.

 Upon successful completion, students will be able to challenge the online Transport Canada Certification Exam confidently.

 Also, the students will receive their Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada Restricted Radio Operator Certificate with an Aeronautical qualification (ROC-A).

​Designed to meet and exceed Transport Canada’s RPAS Pilot Knowledge Requirements (TP 15263), this training covers the knowledge required to conduct advanced flight operations with small RPAS in Canada.

 Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

​Write the exam and receive your ROC-A certificate (Restricted Operator Certificate with Aeronautical Qualification ROC-A) and conduct radio operations on frequencies designated for Aeronautical applications in Canada.

 Note: An ROC-A is required by operators of radiotelephone equipment on board aircraft and at aeronautical land (fixed and mobile) radio stations using aeronautical mobile frequencies.

Currently, it is an exception for UAV pilots to engage in direct communication with Air Traffic Services via handheld radio. However, there are instances where radio communication is necessary to enhance safety and best practices.

Examples of UAV/DRONE VHF use may include:

 ·      Within Class G airports near aerodromes (within 5 miles)

·      Pilot-to-pilot communications on Aerodrome Traffic Frequencies or en-route frequencies

·      Within controlled airspace (by request or approval of ATS management)

·      Within Class F Special Use Airspace (IE UAV test range)

·      Emergencies

Upon successful completion, students will be able to challenge the online Transport Canada Certification Exam confidently.

Also, the students will receive their Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada Restricted Radio Operator Certificate with an Aeronautical qualification (ROC-A). Must pass the examination.

 NOTE: Due to COVID, scheduling of the ROC-A testing and ID verification will be established via a one-on-one, 2-way video communication at a time convenient for both parties.

​ (Location: Cambridge, Ontario, or Live-Online)

$650.00/person +taxes

​Corporate/Private Ground School (Location: Across Canada)

Contact for pricing

 

 2.  (A003) Flight Review Details Cost: $210.00 (+ Taxes) per person, per review

 You must successfully perform the following exercises to pass the in-person Flight Review:

 · Describe the site survey process.

·  Describe emergency procedures that apply to flying an RPAS, including lost-link procedures and procedures to follow in the event of a fly-away, including whom to contact.

·  Describe the method by which to inform Transport Canada of an incident or accident.

·  Successfully perform pre-flight checks of your RPAS.

·  Perform a take-off.

· Demonstrate the ability to navigate around obstacles.

· Demonstrate the ability to recognize distances.

· Perform a safe landing.

Yours or our location.

 Prerequisites

Have passed the Small Advanced Exam - minimum overall result of 80%.

Certificate of Registration for the drone being used for Flight Review. If you do not own a drone, we can provide one at an additional cost. Please ask us for details.

 ​3.  (A001) RPAS Flight Training-101

​This course is designed for new and developing pilots. Those who have never operated a drone. 

 It can be daunting to think about flying a drone for the first time. How do I unpack it? How do I set it up? How do I use the app? Should I use manual or auto functions? What are these presets? What do they do? How do I set up my return home? How do I set my altitude limit?

 It can seem so overwhelming; we are here to assist. Our in-class/online and practical hands-on training will provide you with the confidence needed to ensure you are operating safely.

​Our Flight Training Objectives:

​Aid theoretical understanding with practical hands-on flying.

Introduce primary manual flying skills.

Introduce a platform and operation that will be transferable to larger and more complex aircraft/operations.

Provide ‘take-away’ exercises that will aid in skill perfection

​​Location: Cambridge, Ontario (Across Canada for Private/Corporate)

$295.00/person +taxes

​ 4.  (A002) RPAS Flight Review-Preparation

​Transport Canada requires an in-person Flight Review to complete your Advanced Operations Certificate. The Flight Review is intended to ensure you understand and can practically demonstrate the knowledge needed to complete a safe flight/operation.

 There is a specific checklist we must go through as a Flight Reviewer. Our Flight Review prep course will equip and prepare you to challenge Transport Canada's mandatory in-person Flight Review for Advanced Operations.

​We will walk you through what an actual RPAS Flight Review consists of, including hands-on flight requirements. We thoroughly review all aspects in detail and, most importantly, provide you with answers to the questions you have, ensuring confidence when challenging the Flight Review.

​ Location: Cambridge, Ontario (Across Canada for Private/Corporate)

$275.00/person +taxes

​ 5.  (A005) Photography for RPAS-Pilot/Operators

​Understanding the basics of photography is crucial to collecting high-quality data. This course will focus on core photographic concepts, best practices, and their application in the RPAS world.

 This course will include hands-on training to propel students from a theoretical to a practical understanding of applied photography.

  Topics will include:

  • Theory

  • Components

  • Photography Rules/Guidelines

  • Exposure - ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture-Rules of Thirds

  • Manual Control vs Programmed Operation

  • RPAS - Camera Settings

  • Composition

  • Focusing

  • Equipment

  • Lighting

  • Image Management and Manipulation

 Location: Cambridge, Ontario (Across Canada for Private/Corporate)

$395.00/person tax 

Call or email for further information.

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