Transport Canada RPAS Flight Review Course

RPAS Operations Flight Review Training Course

flight_review_training We offer an operations-specific flight review training course that will allow you to undertake the Transport Canada flight review with confidence.  The flight review training course covers the principle areas required such as:

checkmark for golf course virtual tour Pre-flight planning procedures

checkmark for golf course virtual tour Emergency procedures

checkmark for golf course virtual tour  Take-off procedures

checkmark for golf course virtual tour  Manual flight control procedures

checkmark for golf course virtual tour  Lost link procedures

checkmark for golf course virtual tour  Fly-away procedures

checkmark for golf course virtual tour  Landing procedures

 

The flight review training focuses on the core elements required by Transport Canada but also provides operational risk mitigation strategies and techniques you will actually use in the field. Yes, we want you to pass the flight review that we will provide but we will also prepare you for real-world drone operations based on hundreds of hours of drone ops experience in advanced operational environments.

The new RPAS regulations require pilots of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) to undertake both a written exam AND a flight review in order to conduct advanced operations.

If you are conducting drone operations in and around populated areas you are or will be conducting advanced operations.

RPAS Flight Review Course Content

Drone or RPAS operations planning is not complicated but it, like other aviation environments requests a systematic approach. We will walk you through the basics of operational planning from A-Z showing you practically how details matter to the success of your flight missions. Your training will include an overview of:

  • Airspace & Airspace Software

  • NOTAM, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) & Air Traffic Services Coordination

  • Regulatory Requirements for Advanced Operations

  • Weather/Environmental Conditions

  • Physical Security

  • Technical Security

  • Public Interference

  • Separation Distances

  • How to Conduct a Desktop Review including Compliance

  • Risk Assessment – Hazards, Risk Criteria & Control Measures

  • Site Surveys and Pre-operational Planning (Offsite)

  • Pre-flight, In-flight and Post Flight SOPs/Checklists (Onsite)

  • Emergency Preparedness (scope, protocol activation, response priorities)

  • Roles, Responsibilities & Actions

  • Loss of Positive Control (fly-aways, C2 Failure, Loss of VLOS)

  • Accident Reporting & Notification

  • Maintenance & Inspection (lost link testing)

  • Documentation & Record Keeping

Transport Canada RPAS Flight Review Requirements

The emphasis of preflight procedures with respect to the flight review is on planning and risk mitigation. Operations that are planned well in advance leave little to chance. Importantly  UAV operations that are planned well reduce the stress factors on the operation leaving headroom for emergency and unplanned occurrences.  A team that is completely taxed conducting operations is very much more likely to make poor decisions and suffer poor outcomes if additional stress is added to the operational environment.

  • Provide a satisfactory site survey;

  • Brief flight crew or visual observers of any duties they are to perform or any other information relevant to the flight;

  • Use appropriate and current aeronautical charts and other current flight publications;

  • Properly identify airspace, obstructions, and terrain features;

  • Select a safe and efficient take-off location and flight route;

  • Obtain all pertinent information about local air routes and aerodromes;

  • Retrieve and interpret weather information and NOTAM relevant to the intended flight;

  • Determine the acceptability of existing or forecast weather conditions;

  • Select the most favorable and appropriate altitudes, considering weather conditions and equipment limitations;

  • Determine the appropriate departure procedure;

  • Make a competent “GO/NO-GO” decision based on available information for the flight;

  • Demonstrate that the weights and center of gravity are within acceptable manufactures limits;

  • Determine the impact on their sRPAS operations, of unserviceability of equipment or equipment configuration changes for the proposed flight; and

  • Organize and arrange material and equipment in a manner that makes the items readily available.

Emergency procedures are integral to conducting responsible RPAS operations. The flight review training will outline various types of emergency situations that may arise and demonstrate how proper planning can improve the effectiveness of a response.

Importantly Transport Canada requires an RPAS pilot operating within visual line of sight to:

  • Describe emergency procedures that apply to your sRPAS;

  • Describe the lost-link procedures that apply to your sRPAS;

  • Describe the procedures to follow in the event of a fly-away;

  • Outline who, how and when to contact in the event of a lost link/flyaway emergency;

    • operational vs. administrative or regulatory

  • Correctly program the sRPAS for a “return to home” if it is equipped with that function;

  • Select a power setting and altitude appropriate for the lost link situation;

  • Program the geofence/range limitation as applicable;

  • Program the altitude limitation as applicable;

  • Promptly recognize when a lost link has occurred;

  • Show an ability to regain control of the sRPAS if it reconnects the lost link;

  • Program the appropriate RPAS response on a lost link (hover/RTH);

  • Take an appropriate course of action, once the link has been re-established and confirmed;

  • In the event of a flyaway perform the following tasks without undue delay:

    • Identify and record their present position

    • Identify and record the direction and altitude the sRPAS was last seen traveling

    • Estimate the approximate available flight time that will remain and the fly away boundary in kms given the available fuel/power on board.

emergencies section of flight review training

Initiating flights requires a great deal of situational awareness. Very few advanced operational environments can be considered static therefore it’s important to understand that things will be changing and how to take the appropriate RPAS flight planning steps to minimize the impact of the potential change on this critical phase of the operation. It’s very much true that the operations become easier once the UAV is in the air away from unpredictable influences. People, machines, animals, or even children (depending on your shoot location), have an uncanny knack for interference. Strictly speaking, Transport Canada requires as a minimum:

  • Complete all pre-flight inspection/checks on your sRPAS;

  • Complete the appropriate checklists

  • Note take-off time;

  • Use an organized and efficient procedure to take off;

  • Comply with all departure clearances and instructions if the flight review is conducted in controlled airspace; and

  • Complete appropriate checklists.

We will also outline:

  • setting up principle and alternate launch/recovery areas

  • establishing cordoned

  • how to manage public interference.

  • visual observer duties with respect to interference

  • roles and responsibilities (client vs you)

Getting the job done! You are in the air now what?  Smooth slow movements are nearly ALWAYS the best approach to the successful completion of any UAV flight mission. In EVERY instance the introduction of speed introduces more risk to the flight operation without question. Understanding your limitations as a pilot and even practicing the required mission in a low-risk environment will pay dividends.

Very basically the Transport Canada flight review requires the RPAS pilot to:

  • Maintain a stable airspeed, cruising altitude, and heading;

  • Navigate by applying systematic navigation techniques;

  • Orient the sRPAS to the direction of flight;

  • Navigate around an obstacle or fixed point;

  • Determine the position of the aircraft with respect to distance and altitude from the candidate;

  • Apply an organized method that would:

    • verify the position of the aircraft

    • revise headings to correct any existing track error to maintain the aircraft’s position due to wind

    • confirm or revise the battery power available at the destination landing point with a degree of accuracy that would make arrival assured

    • confirm current fuel/power levels vs requirements for the flight

With a little practice/instruction you will be able to easily complete the all there requirements and we will show you a way to verify the position of the RPAS in any situation.

Landings, like take-offs, are a bit about timing. It’s crucially important that RPAS pilots do not wait until the power/fuel level is critically low prior to attempting a landing. For example you may have to wait for your principal area to become clear of hazards or you may need to shift to your alternate landing area in order to get your RPAS down safely and you will need time to do so.

  • Use an organized and efficient procedure to land;

  • Comply with all arrival clearances and instructions if the flight review is conducted in controlled airspace;

  • Complete appropriate checklists;

  • Note landing time;

  • Secure the sRPAS.

Pricing for RPAS Flight Review Training

one person cost for transport canada flight review

1 Person

$999.00

The course includes operational instruction, venue, UAV use AND one flight review/debrief conducted by a Transport Canada qualified RPAS flight reviewer. Course occupancy limited to 6 individuals.

2 persons transport canada flight review cost

2 Person

$1949.00

The course includes operational instruction, venue, UAV use AND one flight review/debrief conducted by a Transport Canada qualified RPAS flight reviewer. Course occupancy limited to 6 individuals.

3 persons transport canada flight review costs

3 Person

$2899.00

The course includes operational instruction, venue, UAV use AND one flight review/debrief conducted by a Transport Canada qualified RPAS flight reviewer. Course occupancy limited to 6 individuals.

4 persons transport canada flight review costs

4 Person

$3749.00

The course includes operational instruction, venue, UAV use AND one flight review/debrief conducted by a Transport Canada qualified RPAS flight reviewer. Course occupancy limited to 6 individuals.

Please Setup a Meeting!

Please get in touch to pre-book your flight review training course for this spring in advance of the regulations coming in to force June 01! We expect this course to fill up quickly and there are limited dates.