RPAS Advanced
RPAS Advanced - Advanced Operations Pilot Certificate Exam (Transport Canada)
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ExploreAbout this exam
The RPAS Advanced certificate is the Transport Canada credential a remote pilot needs to fly drones in advanced operations as defined in Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations - the category that covers flights in controlled airspace and operations close to bystanders, among other conditions. It is aimed at commercial operators and serious recreational pilots who need access to that airspace and those operating environments, and it sits a full step above the Basic certificate in both knowledge demand and regulatory responsibility.
The written exam is computer-based, multiple choice and invigilated, and it is deliberately broader than the Basic exam. It tests regulatory knowledge, but it layers on airspace structure, chart reading and GNSS use, aviation weather products, human factors and crew decision-making, operational planning and emergencies, and radiotelephony phraseology. Many candidates find the non-regulatory domains the harder half, because they demand interpretation rather than recall.
Effective preparation means studying the regulations alongside the material they assume - aeronautical charts, METARs and TAFs, and standard radio calls - and then practising scenario-style judgement questions rather than memorising rule numbers. Candidates should confirm current administrative details, including fees, sitting arrangements and the flight review that accompanies certification, directly with Transport Canada, which publishes the authoritative figures.
What you'll study
About RPAS Advanced preparation
How is the exam delivered?
It is a written, computer-based, invigilated multiple-choice exam taken at an approved test centre. You answer on screen; there is no oral component and no practical flying during the written exam. The flight review is a separate step handled by a Transport Canada–delegated flight reviewer.
How long is the exam and how many questions are there?
Transport Canada sets and periodically revises the question count and time limit, so check the current figures on the Transport Canada website before you book. Do not rely on numbers quoted in forums or older study guides, which are frequently out of date.
What score do I need to pass?
The pass mark is set by Transport Canada and published with the exam information on its site. Confirm it there rather than assuming a figure. Aim well above any published minimum, because the exam is scored overall and a weak domain can pull your total down.
How much does it cost, and how do I book?
Fees and booking procedures are set by Transport Canada and its approved test providers. Current pricing and scheduling are published on the Transport Canada site. Book only through official channels, and confirm what identification and prerequisites you must bring on the day.
What happens if I fail - can I retake it?
Retake rules, waiting periods and any additional fees are set by Transport Canada and can change. Check the current policy on its website before assuming you can re-sit immediately. In practice, treat a failed attempt as diagnostic: identify which domains dragged your score down before rebooking.
Is it much harder than the Basic exam?
Yes, noticeably. The Basic exam is largely regulation recall; the Advanced exam expects you to apply rules to scenarios and to read charts, weather products and airspace data. Candidates who study only the regulations usually find the meteorology, navigation and radiotelephony sections the most punishing.
In what order should I study?
Start with air law and airspace, since those frame everything else. Then add navigation and meteorology, which are the steepest learning curves and benefit from daily short sessions with real charts and weather products. Finish with flight operations, human factors and radiotelephony, which reward practice on scenario questions.
What do candidates most often get wrong?
Three patterns recur: misreading airspace classes and altitudes on charts, misunderstanding weather-product validity and decoding, and answering regulation questions from instinct rather than from the actual text. A fourth is poor time discipline - flagging hard scenario questions and returning to them beats grinding on one item.
Do I need the certificate before I can fly advanced operations?
Yes. You must hold the certificate, and registration and RPAS safety assurance declaration requirements must also be met for the aircraft. Registration and declaration are handled separately from the pilot certificate, so plan for both rather than treating the exam as the only administrative step.
Is this material affiliated with Transport Canada?
No. This is independent study material written for exam preparation and is not endorsed by or connected to Transport Canada. Always treat the regulations and Transport Canada's own publications as authoritative, and use practice material to build understanding rather than to replace the source documents.