Pre-Solo Test of Air Regulations (PSTAR)
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Pre-Solo Test of Air Regulations (PSTAR) is a Transport Canada written knowledge test that a student pilot must pass before flying solo. It is aimed at candidates training toward a Recreational Pilot Permit or Private Pilot Licence, and it checks the regulatory knowledge needed to operate safely without an instructor on board. The exam is multiple choice and draws on the Canadian Aviation Regulations, airspace and radiotelephony procedures, VFR flight rules, aerodrome operations, and emergency and occurrence reporting. Human factors and pilot decision-making also appear. Prepare by working through the relevant sections of the Canadian Aviation Regulations and the Transport Canada Flight Training Manual, then practise with scenario-based questions that force you to apply a rule rather than recall a number. The Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual is essential for airspace, radio, and aerodrome detail. Because the test is regulatory, memorising isolated figures is less useful than understanding how the rules fit together. Confirm the current test format, fee, and pass mark with Transport Canada or your flight training unit, since those administrative details are published by the official body and can change. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Transport Canada.
What you'll study
About Pre-Solo Test of Air Regulations (PSTAR) preparation
What is the PSTAR and who has to write it?
It is Transport Canada's pre-solo air regulations test. Student pilots must pass it before their first solo flight, whether they are training for a Recreational Pilot Permit or a Private Pilot Licence. Your flight training unit usually administers it and confirms the result before authorising solo.
What is the format of the exam?
It is a multiple-choice test covering Canadian aviation regulations, airspace, radio procedures, VFR rules, aerodromes, and emergency reporting. Transport Canada sets the current format and question mix, so check its website or ask your training unit for the version you will write.
How hard is the PSTAR?
Most candidates find it manageable if they have studied the regulations rather than guessed. The difficulty comes from scenario questions that combine rules, such as airspace entry, right-of-way, or minimum altitudes. Weak areas are usually radio phraseology and airspace classification, so give those extra time.
What score do I need to pass, and how long does it take?
Transport Canada publishes the current pass mark and time limit. Do not rely on second-hand numbers, because administrative details can change. Confirm the current figure on the Transport Canada website or with your flight training unit before you write.
Can I retake the PSTAR if I fail?
Retake rules are set by Transport Canada and applied by your training unit. Ask your instructor about the waiting period and any additional ground instruction required before a rewrite. Treat a failure as a study signal and review the specific regulatory areas you missed.
What should I study first?
Start with the Canadian Aviation Regulations sections on pilot licensing, aircraft documents, and rules of the air. Then move to airspace classification and control zones, followed by radiotelephony and aerodrome procedures. Finish with emergency and occurrence reporting. This order builds the vocabulary you need for the scenario questions.
Why do candidates fail the PSTAR?
Common causes are memorising numbers without understanding the rule, confusing airspace classes and their entry requirements, and weak radio procedure. Others misread scenario questions that ask for the most correct action rather than a definition. Practise applying rules to short flight situations, not just recalling facts.
Does this page replace the official Transport Canada materials?
No. This is independent study material and is not affiliated with Transport Canada. Use it alongside the Canadian Aviation Regulations, the Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual, and your flight training unit's ground school. Always confirm current administrative details with Transport Canada.