100+ Free RPAS Basic Practice Questions

Pass your Transport Canada RPAS Basic Operations Exam (Small Basic) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: RPAS Basic Exam

35 questions

Exam Length

Transport Canada Small Basic exam

65%

Pass Mark

Transport Canada

90 minutes

Time Limit

Transport Canada

CA$10

Fee per Attempt

Drone Management Portal

400 ft AGL

Max Altitude

CAR 901.25

30 m

Min Distance from Bystanders

CAR 901.62 (basic operations)

14 years

Minimum Age

CAR 901.55

The Small Basic exam is Transport Canada's entry-level drone knowledge test for the Basic Operations pilot certificate. Candidates must be at least 14 and answer 35 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes, passing at 65%, online via the Drone Management Portal for CA$10 per attempt (24-hour wait to retake). Basic operations cover registered RPAs of 250 g-25 kg flown within visual line-of-sight, in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, at or below 400 ft AGL, at least 30 m horizontally from bystanders and never over them, 5.6 km from certified airports and 1.9 km from heliports. The syllabus follows TP 15263 and CARs Part IX (901 series): air law and rules, airspace and NAV CANADA, meteorology (METAR/TAF, wind, density altitude, icing), RPAS systems and theory of flight, navigation and charts, flight operations and emergencies, human factors, and radiotelephony. The 2025 regulatory updates did not change the Basic exam, and the certificate does not expire as long as 24-month recency is met.

Sample RPAS Basic Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your RPAS Basic exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) Part IX, what is the minimum age requirement to hold a Pilot Certificate - Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS) - Basic Operations?

A.14 years old

B.12 years old

C.16 years old

D.18 years old

Explanation: CAR 901.55 sets the minimum age for a basic operations pilot certificate at 14 years old. (Advanced operations requires 16.)

2A pilot wishes to operate under the basic operations category. Which of the following operating conditions must ALL be met for the flight to qualify as a basic operation?

A.Controlled airspace, within 30 m of bystanders, and below 400 ft AGL

B.Uncontrolled airspace, more than 30 m horizontally from bystanders, and not over bystanders

C.Any airspace with ATC authorization, and more than 5 m from people

D.Uncontrolled airspace, directly over a crowd, below 100 ft AGL

Explanation: Per CAR 901.62, a basic operation is one conducted in uncontrolled airspace, at least 30 m horizontally from bystanders, and never over bystanders. Operations not meeting these conditions require an advanced certificate.

3What is the registered weight range of a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) to which CARs Part IX (basic and advanced operations) applies?

A.100 g up to and including 35 kg

B.250 g up to and including 150 kg

C.250 g up to and including 25 kg

D.1 kg up to and including 25 kg

Explanation: Basic and advanced operations under CAR 901 apply to RPAs with an operating weight of 250 g up to and including 25 kg flown within visual line-of-sight. RPAs over 25 kg or BVLOS require an SFOC or other authorization.

4Before flying a registered RPA that weighs 250 g or more, what must the pilot do regarding the registration number?

A.Memorize it and keep it confidential

B.Submit it to NAV CANADA before each flight

C.Display it only when flying in controlled airspace

D.Mark the aircraft so that the registration number is clearly visible on the RPA

Explanation: CAR 901.07 requires that the registration number issued by Transport Canada be clearly visible (marked) on the RPA before it is operated. The certificate of registration must also be available to the pilot.

5A drone pilot sees a crewed helicopter approaching at the same altitude as the RPA. What must the RPA pilot do?

A.Give way to the crewed aircraft; the RPA must yield right-of-way at all times

B.Maintain altitude and hold position, as the helicopter must avoid the drone

C.Climb above the helicopter to remain visible

D.Broadcast on 121.5 MHz and continue the planned flight path

Explanation: CAR 901.43 requires that an RPA always give way to crewed (manned) aircraft, power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft, airships, gliders, and balloons. The drone pilot must take action to avoid a collision.

6What is the maximum altitude above ground level (AGL) at which an RPA may normally be operated under CARs Part IX without additional authorization?

A.100 feet (30 m) AGL

B.400 feet (122 m) AGL

C.300 feet (91 m) AGL

D.500 feet (152 m) AGL

Explanation: CAR 901.25 limits RPA operations to a maximum of 400 feet (122 m) AGL, unless higher within 200 ft horizontal of a building/structure or otherwise authorized.

7Under basic operations, what is the minimum horizontal distance the RPA must keep from bystanders (persons not associated with the operation)?

A.5 metres

B.16.4 feet (5 m)

C.30 metres (100 feet)

D.100 metres

Explanation: Basic operations (CAR 901.62) require the RPA to remain at least 30 m (about 100 ft) horizontally from bystanders. Closer operations to bystanders require advanced operations.

8To conduct basic operations near a certified (NAV CANADA-listed) airport, the RPA must remain at least how far from the centre of the airport?

A.1.9 km (1 NM)

B.3 km (1.6 NM)

C.9.3 km (5 NM)

D.5.6 km (3 NM)

Explanation: Basic operations must remain at least 5.6 km (3 NM) from the centre of an aerodrome listed in the Canada Flight Supplement as a certified airport. Closer operations require control-zone/advanced procedures.

9Under basic operations, an RPA must stay at least how far from the centre of a heliport listed in the Canada Flight Supplement?

A.1.9 km (1 NM)

B.3 km (1.6 NM)

C.5.6 km (3 NM)

D.0.5 km

Explanation: Basic operations require staying at least 1.9 km (1 NM) from the centre of a heliport. The larger 5.6 km figure applies to certified airports.

10What document must a pilot operating an RPA under CARs Part IX be able to produce, on request, by a peace officer or Transport Canada inspector?

A.A commercial pilot licence

B.The pilot certificate and the certificate of registration for the RPA

C.A NAV CANADA membership card

D.Proof of liability insurance only

Explanation: CAR 901.71 requires the pilot to have the pilot certificate and the RPA's certificate of registration available, and to produce them on demand to a peace officer, immigration officer, or the Minister.

About the RPAS Basic Exam

The Transport Canada Small Basic exam is the multiple-choice knowledge test required to earn a Pilot Certificate - Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS) - Basic Operations. It qualifies the holder to fly a registered drone of 250 g up to 25 kg in uncontrolled airspace, at least 30 m horizontally from bystanders and never over them. The exam has 35 questions, a 90-minute limit, a 65% pass mark, and is written online with instant results for CA$10 per attempt. Content is drawn from TP 15263 and CARs Part IX, spanning air law, airspace, meteorology, RPAS systems, navigation, flight operations, human factors, and radiotelephony.

Questions

35 scored questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

65%

Exam Fee

CA$10 per attempt (Transport Canada (online via the Drone Management Portal))

RPAS Basic Exam Content Outline

30%

Air Law, Rules & Procedures

CARs Part IX (901 series), registration and aircraft marking, the 400 ft (122 m) AGL ceiling, 30 m bystander distance, 5.6 km airport and 1.9 km heliport stand-offs, giving way to crewed aircraft, the 12-hour alcohol rule, forest-fire 9.3 km avoidance, document production, occurrence reporting, and the 14-year minimum age

20%

Airspace & Navigation

Airspace classes A-G, controlled vs uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, control zones, NOTAMs and NAV CANADA services, the Canada Flight Supplement (CFS), VFR Navigation Charts (VNC), latitude/longitude, magnetic variation, UTC conversion, and GNSS reliability limits

16%

Meteorology

Decoding METARs (wind, cloud ceiling such as BKN008, temperature/dew point) and TAFs, the Graphic Area Forecast, gusty wind hazards, density altitude, icing near 0 C, thunderstorms, mechanical and convective turbulence, air stability, and fog/visibility for VLOS

14%

RPAS Systems & Theory of Flight

Airframes, brushless motors and ESCs, LiPo battery care and swelling, the command and control (C2) link and lost-link fail-safes, flight termination systems, compass calibration and GNSS, firmware updates, the four forces of flight, lift generation, and angle of attack

14%

Flight Operations

Pilot-in-command responsibility, pre-flight inspection and checklists, site survey and risk assessment, weight and balance, emergency, lost-link and flyaway procedures, contingency landing areas, crew briefings, night operations with position lighting, and post-flight actions

Human Factors & Radiotelephony

Fatigue, stress and workload, situational awareness, IMSAFE fitness self-assessment, visual scanning and see-and-avoid, the visual observer role, the ISED ROC-A radio certificate, standard phraseology, the ICAO phonetic alphabet, and the 121.5 MHz emergency frequency

How to Pass the RPAS Basic Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 65%
Exam length: 35 questions
Time limit: 90 minutes
Exam fee: CA$10 per attempt

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

RPAS Basic Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize the core Basic-operations limits: 250 g to 25 kg, 400 ft (122 m) AGL ceiling, 30 m horizontal from bystanders, 5.6 km from certified airports, and 1.9 km from heliports

2Know that Class G is the only uncontrolled airspace - Basic operations must stay in Class G and out of control zones; Classes A, B, C, D and E are controlled

3Practise decoding METARs: e.g., 24015G25KT is wind 240 true at 15 kt gusting 25, and BKN008 is a broken ceiling at 800 ft AGL

4Remember the RPA always gives way to crewed aircraft (CAR 901.43) and must not be operated within 9.3 km (5 NM) of a forest fire

5Review the 12-hour alcohol rule (CAR 901.24), the 14-year minimum age, the 24-month recency requirement, and that the certificate does not otherwise expire

6Understand density altitude: hot, high, humid air thins out, reducing lift and endurance and requiring more conservative flight planning

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Transport Canada Small Basic exam?

It is the 35-question multiple-choice knowledge test required to obtain a Pilot Certificate - Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS) - Basic Operations. It is written online through the Drone Management Portal, costs CA$10 per attempt, and you need 65% to pass.

How many questions are on the Small Basic exam and how long do I get?

The Small Basic exam has 35 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute time limit. Results are provided instantly online, and a score of 65% or higher is a pass.

What operations does a Basic certificate allow?

Basic operations let you fly a registered drone of 250 g up to 25 kg in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, at or below 400 ft AGL, at least 30 m horizontally from bystanders and never over them, more than 5.6 km from certified airports and 1.9 km from heliports.

What happens if I fail the Small Basic exam?

If you fail, you must wait 24 hours before trying again, and each attempt costs CA$10. There is no limit on the number of attempts, but you must reach the 65% pass mark.

What topics does the exam cover?

Per TP 15263 and CARs Part IX, the exam covers air law and rules, airspace and NAV CANADA services, meteorology (METAR/TAF, wind, density altitude, icing), RPAS systems and theory of flight, navigation and charts, flight operations and emergencies, human factors, and radiotelephony.

Does the Basic certificate expire?

The pilot certificate itself does not expire, but you must complete a recency requirement within the previous 24 months (such as a recurrent activity or training) to keep exercising its privileges.

How old do I need to be to get a Basic certificate?

You must be at least 14 years old to hold a Basic Operations pilot certificate under CAR 901.55. The Advanced Operations certificate requires a minimum age of 16.

100+ Free RPAS Basic Practice Questions

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