Complete Guide to Getting Your Advanced Pilot Certificate in Canada

Why Get Your Advanced Certificate?

The Advanced Pilot Certificate is the key that unlocks the full potential of commercial drone operations in Canada. While the Basic Pilot Certificate allows you to fly in uncontrolled airspace away from bystanders, the Advanced certificate grants significantly expanded privileges. With an Advanced certificate, you can fly in controlled airspace (with proper authorization), operate over people, fly near aerodromes, and — as of the Phase 2 changes — conduct EVLOS operations using visual observers.

If you are serious about commercial drone work, the Advanced certificate is not optional. It is the baseline credential that clients, insurers, and regulators expect from professional operators. As of December 2025, 20,138 pilots have earned their Advanced certificate — and that number is growing every month as the commercial opportunities expand.

Prerequisites

Before you can apply for an Advanced Pilot Certificate, you must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a Basic Pilot Certificate — You must already have a valid Basic Pilot Certificate for small RPAS (under 25 kg). There is no shortcut to skip straight to Advanced.
• Be at least 16 years of age — Transport Canada requires all Advanced certificate applicants to be 16 or older at the time of application.
• Study the Advanced curriculum — The Advanced exam covers more complex topics than the Basic exam, including detailed airspace classifications, advanced weather interpretation, emergency procedures, and in-depth regulatory knowledge.

The Advanced Knowledge Exam

The Advanced Pilot Certificate exam is a Transport Canada written examination that tests your knowledge across several critical areas. The exam is more rigorous than the Basic exam and requires solid preparation. Key topic areas include:

• Airspace Classification — Detailed understanding of Class A through G airspace, control zones, restricted areas, and the specific rules governing RPAS operations in each.
• Weather and Meteorology — Reading METARs, TAFs, and GFAs; understanding how temperature, pressure, wind, and visibility affect drone operations.
• Emergency Procedures — Protocols for loss of control link, fly-away scenarios, battery failures, and operations near manned aircraft.
• Navigation and Flight Planning — Map reading, coordinate systems, magnetic variation, and planning compliant flight routes in various airspace types.
• Regulations — In-depth knowledge of CARs Part IX, Standard 922, and the specific privileges and limitations of Advanced operations.

The exam is taken online through Transport Canada's approved testing system. A passing score of 80% is required. Most candidates who study thoroughly pass on their first attempt, but the exam should not be underestimated — dedicated preparation over two to four weeks is typical.

The Flight Review

Passing the written exam alone does not earn you the Advanced certificate. You must also complete a flight review with a Transport Canada-certified flight reviewer within 12 months of passing the exam. The flight review is a practical assessment of your ability to safely operate an RPAS under Advanced operating conditions.

During the flight review, the reviewer will assess your skills in areas including pre-flight inspection, normal and emergency flight manoeuvres, safe operating procedures, and your ability to maintain situational awareness. A typical flight review takes between one and two hours, including the ground briefing and debrief. The reviewer will use a standardized assessment framework, but the specific manoeuvres and scenarios may vary.

There are currently 1,328 flight reviewers registered with Transport Canada across the country. Finding one in your area has become much easier through platforms like RPAS WILCO Pilot Networks, which maintains a searchable directory of over 500 active reviewers coast-to-coast.

Maintaining Your Certificate

Once you have your Advanced Pilot Certificate, maintaining it requires ongoing attention to recency requirements. Your flight review is valid for 24 months from the date it was completed. Before that 24-month period expires, you must complete a new flight review to maintain your Advanced privileges. If your flight review lapses, you cannot conduct Advanced operations until a new one is completed — there is no grace period.

Beyond the formal recency requirement, staying current with regulatory changes is essential. Transport Canada regularly updates standards and guidance material, and the Phase 2 changes introduced new operational categories that affect what Advanced pilots can and cannot do. Keeping up with these changes is part of being a responsible professional operator.

Tips for Success

Earning your Advanced certificate is a significant professional milestone. Here are practical tips to help you succeed:

• Use a structured study program — Whether through a training school like Drone Academie or RPAS Centre, or through self-study, follow a structured curriculum that covers all exam topics systematically.
• Practice with real tools — Use RPAS WILCO to practice flight planning in controlled airspace, reading NOTAMs, and checking weather data. The skills you build on the platform translate directly to the exam and the flight review.
• Book your flight review early — Popular reviewers book up weeks in advance. Start searching for a reviewer as soon as you begin studying for the exam so you can schedule your review promptly after passing.
• Fly regularly before your review — The flight review assesses practical skills. Make sure you are flying consistently in the weeks leading up to your review so your manoeuvres are sharp and confident.
• Set a calendar reminder for renewal — Do not let your 24-month recency window sneak up on you. Set a reminder at the 20-month mark so you have time to book and complete your renewal flight review.