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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 review concepts for the RPAS Basic exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 118+ 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 plans a Basic operation with an RPA weighing 250 g or more. Which set of conditions must all be met?
A.A small RPA, VLOS in controlled airspace, more than 30 m from people
B.A small RPA, VLOS in uncontrolled airspace, more than 30 m from people
C.A medium RPA, VLOS in uncontrolled airspace, more than 152.4 m from people
D.A small RPA, EVLOS in uncontrolled airspace, more than 30 m from people
Explanation: CAR 901.53 limits Basic operations to a small RPA (250 g to 25 kg), VLOS, uncontrolled airspace, and at least 30 m horizontally from every person not involved in the operation. The airport and heliport stand-off rules must also be met.
3Which pairing correctly describes the current Part IX weight categories for small and medium RPAs?
A.Small: under 250 g; medium: 250 g through 25 kg
B.Small: 250 g through 25 kg; medium: over 25 kg through 150 kg
C.Small: 250 g through 150 kg; medium: over 150 kg
D.Small and medium: any weight whenever the operation is VLOS
Explanation: CAR 900.01 defines a small RPA as having an operating weight of at least 250 g and not more than 25 kg. A medium RPA weighs more than 25 kg but not more than 150 kg. Basic operations apply only to small RPAs; medium-RPA operations require other privileges and conditions.
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 RPA with its registration number
Explanation: The registered owner must ensure that the registration number is clearly visible on the RPA before it is operated. The certificate of registration must also remain easily accessible to the pilot during the operation.
5A drone pilot sees a crewed helicopter approaching at the same altitude as the RPA. What must the RPA pilot do?
A.Give way and maneuver clear of the crewed aircraft
B.Hold position while the helicopter passes nearby
C.Climb above the helicopter to remain visible
D.Broadcast on 121.5 MHz and continue the flight
Explanation: CAR 901.17 requires an RPA to give way to power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft, airships, gliders and balloons. The pilot must maneuver clear to avoid 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 normally limits RPA operations to 400 feet (122 m) AGL. When operating within 200 feet (61 m) horizontally of a building or structure, the alternate limit is 100 feet (30 m) above that building or structure; an SFOC-RPAS can authorize higher flight.
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: CAR 901.53 defines Basic operations as remaining at least 30 m (100 ft) horizontally from every person not involved in the operation. Operating closer is not a Basic operation and requires the applicable Advanced authority and aircraft declaration.
8To conduct a Basic VLOS operation near an 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: CAR 901.47 prohibits a VLOS operation less than 3 NM (5.6 km) from the centre of an airport unless the Advanced-operation exception in CAR 901.73 applies. A Basic pilot must therefore remain at least 3 NM away.
9Under Basic VLOS operations, an RPA must stay at least how far from the centre of a heliport?
A.1.9 km (1 NM)
B.3 km (1.6 NM)
C.5.6 km (3 NM)
D.0.5 km
Explanation: CAR 901.47 prohibits a VLOS operation less than 1 NM (1.9 km) from the centre of a heliport unless the Advanced-operation exception in CAR 901.73 applies. The larger 3 NM distance applies to airports.
10Which documents must be easily accessible to a Basic-operations pilot during an RPA flight?
A.Pilot certificate and manufacturer operating manual
B.Pilot certificate, proof of recency, and registration certificate
C.Registration certificate and liability-insurance policy
D.Pilot certificate and NAV CANADA authorization
Explanation: CAR 901.57 requires the pilot certificate and proof of meeting the 24-month recency requirement to be easily accessible. CAR 900.20 separately requires the RPA's certificate of registration to be easily accessible for the operation.

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.

Exam sponsor: Transport Canada (online via the Drone Management Portal). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

35 questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

65%

Exam / Certification Fees

CA$10 per attempt

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

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

6%

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

Preparing for the RPAS Basic Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 65%
  • Exam length: 35 questions
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: CA$10 per attempt Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 118 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

RPAS Basic: Suggested Study Strategy

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.