2.2 Pilot Certification, Minimum Age & Recency Requirements
Key Takeaways
- CAR 901.54(1) requires a Division IV pilot to be at least 14 and to hold a Basic, Advanced, or Level 1 Complex pilot certificate; a higher certificate carries the lower privileges.
- The statutory minimum age for obtaining a Basic Pilot Certificate is exactly 14 years old (CAR 901.55), whereas Advanced certification requires a minimum age of 16 (CAR 901.64).
- The Transport Canada Basic RPAS examination comprises 35 multiple-choice questions with a 90-minute time limit and a required passing threshold of 65%.
- Under CAR 901.56, pilot recency (currency) expires after 24 months; privileges cannot be exercised unless renewed via re-examination, an approved flight review, or a recognized recurrent training program.
- CAR 901.57 requires the pilot certificate and documentation proving CAR 901.56 recency to be easily accessible during the operation, and CAR 900.20 requires the aircraft's certificate of registration to be easily accessible as well.
2.2 Pilot Certification, Minimum Age & Recency Requirements
Exam Focus: Transport Canada tests specific numbers on certification and recency. Memorize the minimum age thresholds (14 for Basic vs. 16 for Advanced), the exam parameters (35 questions, 90 minutes, 65% pass mark), the strict 24-month recency cycle under CAR 901.56, and mandatory on-site credentials.
The Basic Pilot Certificate Mandate (CAR 901.54)
Operating a small remotely piloted aircraft (250 g up to and including 25 kg) in Canadian airspace requires legal certification. Under CAR 901.54(1), no person shall operate an RPAS under Division IV unless they are at least 14 years of age and hold one of three certificates: the pilot certificate — small remotely piloted aircraft (VLOS) — basic operations issued under CAR 901.55, the pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — advanced operations issued under CAR 901.64, or the pilot certificate — remotely piloted aircraft — level 1 complex operations issued under CAR 901.90. A higher certificate always carries the lower privileges, so an Advanced holder may fly a Basic operation; the reverse is not true.
A Basic Pilot Certificate permits operations strictly within four legal boundaries:
- Uncontrolled Airspace: Flights must remain exclusively within Class G uncontrolled airspace. Entry into Class A, B, C, D, or E controlled airspace requires an Advanced Pilot Certificate and prior NAV CANADA air traffic control (ATC) authorization.
- Horizontal Bystander Distance: The RPA must remain at least 100 feet (30 metres) horizontally away from any bystander (persons not part of the flight operation) during all flight phases, including take-off and landing.
- No Overhead Flights: The RPA must never fly directly over any bystander.
- Aerodrome Setbacks: Under CAR 901.47(2), operations must remain at least 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) from the centre of an airport and at least 1 nautical mile (1.9 km) from the centre of a heliport. Under CAR 901.47(4), stay 3 NM from any aerodrome operated under the authority of the Department of National Defence unless the DND authorizes the flight.
Breaching any of these four criteria reclassifies the flight as an Advanced Operation, requiring an Advanced Pilot Certificate and a compliant aircraft declaration.
Minimum Age Requirements and Minor Supervision (CAR 901.55 & 901.64)
Age limitations are strictly enforced:
- Basic Operations (CAR 901.55): An applicant must be at least 14 years of age to be issued a Basic Pilot Certificate.
- Advanced Operations (CAR 901.64): An applicant must be at least 16 years of age to hold an Advanced Pilot Certificate.
Supervised Operations for Minors Under 14
Under CAR 901.54(2), an individual under 14 years of age—or anyone without a pilot certificate—may operate a small RPA only under the direct supervision of a certified pilot.
For supervision to be lawful:
- The supervisor must hold a valid Pilot Certificate appropriate for the operation (Basic or Advanced).
- The supervisor must remain physically beside the operator and maintain continuous visual line-of-sight with the RPA.
- The supervisor must have the immediate physical ability to take over the controls (via a buddy-box system or direct transmitter handover) to prevent collisions or regulatory infractions.
- The supervising pilot remains legally designated as the Pilot-in-Command (PIC) and bears full responsibility for flight safety.
Examination Structure and Standards
To earn the Basic Pilot Certificate, candidates complete an online examination via Transport Canada's Drone Management Portal:
- Format: 35 multiple-choice questions.
- Time Allowance: 90 minutes.
- Passing Threshold: 65% (minimum 23 correct answers out of 35).
- Curriculum: Air law (CARs Part IX), Canadian airspace classifications, aerodrome operations, basic meteorology, navigation, and human performance factors.
- Retake Cool-Down (CAR 901.59): No person who fails an examination taken under Division IV may retake it for a period of 24 hours after the examination. There is no cap on the number of attempts, but each costs the CA$10 charge.
Examination Rules (CAR 901.58)
The exam is unproctored, and Transport Canada replaces supervision with a set of prohibitions that carry real enforcement weight. In respect of an examination taken under Division IV, no person shall:
- (a) copy or remove from any place all or any portion of the text of the examination;
- (b) give help to or accept help from any person during the examination, unless authorized by the Minister for accommodation purposes; or
- (c) complete all or any portion of the examination on behalf of any other person.
Sharing screenshots of questions in a forum or a group chat breaches paragraph (a). Having a friend sit the exam for you breaches paragraph (c). Accommodations for extra time are available, but they must be requested from Transport Canada before paying for the exam.
Upon passing and paying the fee, Transport Canada immediately issues the electronic certificate in PDF format.
24-Month Recency (Currency) Requirements (CAR 901.56 & 901.57)
A common point of confusion is certificate expiration: A Transport Canada RPAS Pilot Certificate does not expire. However, operational privileges lapse after 24 months if currency is not maintained.
Under CAR 901.56, no pilot shall exercise certificate privileges unless, within the preceding 24 months (2 years), they have demonstrated current aeronautical knowledge.
Under CAR 901.56(1)(b), a pilot can satisfy the 24-month recency requirement through any of the following activities:
- Online Re-examination: Retaking and passing either the Transport Canada Basic or Advanced online exam.
- Flight Review: Successfully completing an in-person flight review with an authorized Flight Reviewer.
- Endorsed Recurrent Training: Completing a Transport Canada-endorsed recurrent training program, such as the Transport Canada RPAS Recurrent Training Self-Paced Study Program, attending a recognized Transport Canada safety seminar, or completing an approved commercial recurrent training course conforming to TP 15263.
Simply logging flight hours does not maintain legal currency under CAR 901.56. CAR 901.56(2) requires the pilot to keep a record of every qualifying activity, including the dates completed, for at least 24 months, and CAR 901.57(b) requires that proof to be easily accessible during the operation.
Documents You Must Have On Site (CAR 901.57 and CAR 900.20)
Two separate provisions govern paperwork at the flying site, and candidates routinely mix them up:
| Document | Regulation | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Pilot certificate — small remotely piloted aircraft (VLOS) — basic operations | CAR 901.57(a) | Easily accessible to the pilot during the operation |
| Documentation demonstrating that the pilot meets the CAR 901.56 recency requirement | CAR 901.57(b) | Easily accessible to the pilot during the operation |
| Certificate of registration for the aircraft | CAR 900.20 | Easily accessible to the pilot for the duration of the operation |
Either printed copies or readable files on a charged electronic device satisfy "easily accessible". Transport Canada's own basic-operations guidance states it plainly: you must have and be able to show your Pilot Certificate — Basic Operations and proof of drone registration.
Common Trap: Part IX does not require you to carry government-issued photo identification. What CAR 901.57 adds beyond the certificate is proof of recency — the item most pilots forget.
Comparison: Basic vs. Advanced Certification
| Regulatory Parameter | Basic Operations (CAR 901.54) | Advanced Operations (CAR 901.62) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | Exactly 14 years old | Exactly 16 years old |
| Exam Specifications | 35 questions, 90 minutes, 65% pass | 50 questions, 60 minutes, 80% pass |
| Flight Review | Not required | Mandatory in-person flight review |
| Airspace Access | Uncontrolled Class G only | Controlled (Classes C, D, E) with ATC authorization |
| Bystander Distance | Minimum 100 ft (30 m) horizontal | 100 ft down to 16.4 ft (5 m), or over people (with declared RPA) |
| Aerodrome Distance | > 3 NM (airports) / > 1 NM (heliports) | Operations inside 3 NM / 1 NM permitted with procedures |
| Recency Period | 24 months (CAR 901.56) | 24 months (CAR 901.56) |
Practical Exam Scenarios
Scenario 1: The Lapsed Recency Trap
A pilot passed the Basic exam on August 10, 2024. Today is September 21, 2026. The pilot has logged 50 flight hours but completed no recurrent training courses. Analysis: More than 25 months have passed since the examination. Under CAR 901.56, the pilot's privileges have lapsed despite extensive flight hours. The pilot cannot fly until completing an approved recency activity (such as the Transport Canada self-paced study program).
Scenario 2: Supervised Flight by a 12-Year-Old
A 12-year-old flies a 1.2 kg drone while their parent, who holds a Basic Pilot Certificate, stands nearby watching while answering emails on their phone. Analysis: This is illegal under CAR 901.54(2). Supervision requires the certified pilot to maintain continuous visual line-of-sight and the immediate physical capability to take control of the aircraft.
What is the statutory minimum age to obtain a Transport Canada Pilot Certificate - Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (VLOS) - Basic Operations?
What are the examination parameters and minimum passing grade for the Transport Canada Small RPAS Basic online examination?
To legally exercise the privileges of a Basic Pilot Certificate after 24 months have passed since certification, which of the following activities does NOT satisfy Transport Canada recency requirements?
Under CAR 901.57 and CAR 900.20, what documentation must be easily accessible to the pilot during a Basic small-RPA operation?