Drone Pilot Exam Study Guide…a few things to discuss! #newcanadiandronelaws2019


A discussion about a few topics that came up in the questions and comments after my “Study Guide for the 2019 Canadian Drone Pilots Basic Operations Exam” …


  1. Thanks Don! My new DJI Air arrives in three weeks so hoping to have your entire course covered off in time to write pre-arrival. Thanks so much for taking the time. I liked the falling drone effect, didn't notice it at first, just thought Ontario had darn big snowflakes. Cheers from BC

  2. Thank’s for your great help Don, all your video are so helpfull for the basic test.
    I pass the test at the first try and your video are the best source of information for me.

  3. Hi Don great video's a question comes to mind, I get the the 30m from people & the max 30m above buildings but do I read it right that you have to be 61m away from buildings horizontally ? Just in passing I picked this up today on another video (news broadcast) and I had not seen it mentioned in any other video's, the Canadian tests pulls its 35 question from a pool of 2000 questions.
    All the Best

  4. Except for the 500 series Regulations, where the "10s" digit is a "0" the items is a Regulation, and as such, is a law passed by Parliament.
    Except for the 500 series Regulations, where the "10s" digit is a "2" the item is a Standard, which is established by Transport Canada's through their own internal processes.
    Regulations are policy, Standards are the means of meeting the policy.
    In reading the Regulations, one will note wording in them specifying that one must meet the such and such a standard. This enables the standard and makes it mandatory.
    Don't ask about 500 series numbering, as it has nothing to do with the RPAS world (for now), and is a 1990's vintage SNAFU that TC has been aware since then, but has never sorted out.

  5. Great videos!
    Suggestion for future video to somewhat placate concerns re documents/documentation
    Pretty much all info you are required to have is available as PDF. Suggest episode showing how easy it is to load a copy of your drone licence, Aircraft manual, AIM, Notams, and whatever you want onto your smartphone so you have bailable with you when flying. Might also want to mention the are smartphone logbook apps out there, making potential other possibilities reviews on Drone logbook apps for other episodes (if you are into it to that extent)

  6. With new video on Regs, suggest don’t forget about the Standard 921 and 922.
    Also suggest it might be useful to explain the difference between a Regulation and a Standard, and how the numbering system works, making it easy to identify which is which.
    Also suggest that if you are including any info on advanced, you may wish to include SI 623-001 as these are the instruction given toTC inspectors on how to handle things and offers some insights.

  7. Hi Don. Nice video. I think you still do not understand the 30 m above buildings rule. This only applies to buildings that will put you over the regular height limit. If a building is only 10m high, you can still fly at 400 ft maximum. If for instance, the building is 350 ft high, you can fly at a max of 100 ft above it to safely clear it. This only applies if you are within the distance horizontally to the building stated in the regulation. This is how I read the new law. This is also how it is applied in the US.

  8. Hi from cold and dry Langley BC Thanks for your previous “Study Guide” video and this clarification. Also, a question, how did you create
    the “drone flakes” at about 5:10 in your presentation? If it’s a screen saver, I want one too!

  9. Hi Don, Thanks so much for producing that study guide. It was all pretty much overwhelming beforehand, but you've added structure to the whole thing so now it's easier to picture what's required. One thing though, you're still confused about the 400 feet (122 m) max altitude or 100 feet (30 m) height over structures. I was confused too by the strange wording used for this requirement, but comparing it to the corresponding FAA wording makes it all much clearer. Normally you are allowed to fly no higher than 400 feet (122 m) AGL, but if encountering a structure higher than that, for example a radio mast, you are allowed to exceed the 400' (122m) limit, but no higher than 100 feet (30 m) more than the top of the structure. This was specifically added to the FAA regs for people inspecting radio towers that may extend higher the 400' AGL. The reasoning is that manned aircraft should not come within a radius of 200 feet (61 m) of such a tower or structure, nor fly lower that 100 feet (30 m) over top of such a structure. So it should be safe to operate a drone within such a zone, even if it is higher than 400 feet (122 m) AGL.

  10. Great stuff on your channel! I fly a DJI Phantom 4 in the USA and hear new laws are coming here too…so this is very helpful! Left a like and a subscribe and look forward to stopping by your channel more in the future!

  11. one of my big beef is , payment options for drone portal, only a couple of banks or otherwise credit card, not everyone has a credit card, i have a mastercard debit card that i have used at amazon and other places, but transport canada doesnt, there payment system is handled thru Moneris, I sent a e mail off to them about it, the person responded by saying to call this number, nobody answers then goes to voice mail but sorry box is full, call again, gee, so another one off to another department , wait and see what happens i guess if anything

  12. Hey Don great video! Don is there a all in one study Manual that someone like myself that is all new to drone flying and does not possess good computer skills ( Basic at best ) get somewhere to study for the Basic exam .. Are you thinking about putting something together? Any direction would very helpful!!!


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