Chief Pilot for Cooke & Associates Inc Summarizes the Coming UAV regulation Changes in Canada

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The new Canadian Air Regulations are complex pieces of literature for those unable to parse legalese. Luckily David Cooke, Chief Pilot of Cooke & Associates Inc., has taken the initiative to create a plain language text—which, while not a substitute for the actual regulations, provides helpful checklists to make sure you get the certification you need.

In a nutshell, applying for your Drone License falls into two camps: Transport Canada RPAS Certificate, Basic or Advanced. Cooke wants potential drone pilots to know the following:

1. To fly legally, register your drone and pass the online Basic UAV Test by at least 60%; Basic and Advanced training courses are available at schools across Canada.
2. To fly commercially, you must pass the Advanced Exam with at least 80% and then perform a Flight Review.
3. To conduct a review, make sure to bring your Advanced License Certificate and the unique Reference Number that certifies you passed your exam. That number is issued by the Transport Canada Drone Management.

Cooke’s PDF plain language summary of the new regulations can be found on his website—where you can also contact Cooke for a flight review. He holds an Advanced UAV Operators Certificate from Transport Canada with a Flight Reviewer rating, has over 25 years military and civilian flying experience, including Combat Flying Instructor, Flight Safety Officer RCAF (ret) Commercial Pilot’s Lic. Fixed, Multi-Engine and Rotary Wing and 3000hrs low level reconnaissance operations.