Information about RPAS

[davidk]

This thread is for details about the Basic RPAS Test, Registration, etc.  If anyone reads something that needs correction, PM or Email me and I'll adjust the post.

Here are the steps for taking the Basic Operations Test:

1.   You will need your phone for a security check when signing in, and you will need a credit card for exam payment.
2.   Go to this page:  https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/drone-pilot-licensing/take-drone-pilot-online-exam-small-basic-exam
3.   Click on Take an exam
4.   Click on Sign-in and choose a language
5.   Choose a secure sign-in option.  You can either sign in with your GCKey (Governamen of Canada Key) or sign in through your bank.  We won't go into the details of registering or signing in here
6.   Once signed in you should be on the TC Drone Management Portal Take an exam page
7.   Click on Choose your exam
8.   Choose the Small Basic Exam for a cost of $10 and click on Select this exam
9.   You will be presented with a Payment Page.  Pay your $10.
10.   You will now be presented with the exam.

Once finished you will receive your mark.   A score of 65% or higher is considered a pass.  If you fail the online exam, you must wait 24 hours before trying again. You can re-take it as many times as you wish.  Each exam attempt is $10.
Your payment information and your Basic RPAS Certificate will be emailed to you.
You will need the Basic RPAS Certificate PDF to send to TEMAC for our records.

Once passed you will then need to register your RPAS weighing between 250g and 25kg.  You must register each RPAS separately for a fee of $5.00 each.  This registration is good for the life of the RPAS.  RPAS under 250g do not need to be registered.

Here are the steps for Registering your RPAS:

1.   You will need your phone for a security check when signing in, and you will need a credit card for registration payment
2.   Go to this page:  https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/drone-management-portal?redirect=/eng/register-drone/service
3.   Sign-in using the same process as above
4.   You should now be in the TC Drone Management Portal Register a Drone page
5.   Click on Begin registration
6.   We won't go through all the registration questions.  Do your best to answer the required information
7.   Once registered you will see a page with your RPAS Registration #.  You will also receive payment receipt email.  You may not receive a registration email
8.   To see what RPAS you have registered you can go to this page:  https://gart.tc.gc.ca/secure/UASIMS-SGISASP/eng/home and click on View drones
9.   TEMAC does not need your RPAS Registration numbers.
10.   RPAS Registration numbers must be placed in a visible location on your RPAS.

Here is a link to a YouTube video talking about the test, and links to documents you could have open and ready to search while taking the test.

Don Drones On : A Study Guild for the Basic RPAS Test : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut44cLyXWLk

CARs Document : Canadian Aviation Regulations : The RPAS Section begins at section 901.01 : https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/FullText.html#s-901.01
CARs Amendment : https://canadagazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2019/2019-01-09/html/sor-dors11-eng.html
Knowledge Requirements for Pilots of RPAS : https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/FullText.html#s-901.01
AIM Document : Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) : https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/publications/transport-canada-aeronautical-information-manual-tc-aim-tp-14371

[davidk]

We do not need to take another RPAS exam every 24 months.
We do need to fill out a TC RPAS Recency Requirements form.
This form and it's questions are to be completed by every RPAS Pilot and kept with the RPAS Certificate.
It's not an exam, it's not submitted to anyone.  It's currently 21 questions... and they tell you where to get the answers.

For TEMAC, we'd probably follow the same process as we are proposing for the RPAS Cert.  Fill in the form and send it to TEMAC in order to have flying privileges.

[davidk]

I believe there are only 2 sets of records required to be compliant with RPAS.  Flight Records and Maintenance Records.  There are lots of example on the internet.  Here's one I found that combine both the Flight Log and Maintenance Log.

CARS 901.48 The Maintenance Records refers to everything involved in the RPAS.  Transmitter, the Plane, and everything in the Plane.
CARS 901.03 No pilot shall operate a remotely piloted aircraft system unless the registration number issued in accordance with section 901.05 is clearly visible on the remotely piloted aircraft.
CARS 901.48 (3) below.  You must de-register and transfer all records.  Remove the Registration #.  Also refer to 901.07 when an RPAS is destroyed or lost.

901.48 (1) Every owner of a remotely piloted aircraft system shall keep the following records:
(a) a record containing the names of the pilots and other crew members who are involved in each flight and, in respect of the system, the time of each flight or series of flights; and
(b) a record containing the particulars of any mandatory action and any other maintenance action, modification or repair performed on the system, including
   (i) the names of the persons who performed them,
   (ii) the dates they were undertaken,
   (iii) in the case of a modification, the manufacturer, model and a description of the part or equipment installed to modify the system, and
   (iv) if applicable, any instructions provided to complete the work.
(2) Every owner of a remotely piloted aircraft system shall ensure that the records referred to in subsection (1) are made available to the Minister on request and are retained for a period of
   (a) in the case of the records referred to in paragraph (1)(a), 12 months after the day on which they are created; and
   (b) in the case of the records referred to in paragraph (1)(b), 24 months after the day on which they are created.
(3) Every owner of a remotely piloted aircraft system who transfers ownership of the system to another person shall, at the time of transfer, also deliver to that person all of the records referred to in paragraph (1)(b).


Cancellation of Certificate of Registration
901.07 (1) Every registered owner of a remotely piloted aircraft shall, within seven days after becoming aware that any of the following events has occurred, notify the Minister in writing that
   (a) the aircraft is destroyed;
   (b) the aircraft is permanently withdrawn from use;
   (c) the aircraft is missing and the search for the aircraft is terminated;
   (d) the aircraft has been missing for 60 days or more; or
   (e) the registered owner has transferred legal custody and control of the aircraft.
(2) When an event referred to in subsection (1) has occurred, the certificate of registration in respect of the remotely piloted aircraft is cancelled.
(3) The certificate of registration of a remotely piloted aircraft is cancelled when
   (a) a registered owner of the aircraft dies;
   (b) an entity that is a registered owner of the aircraft is wound up, dissolved or amalgamated with another entity; or
   (c) a registered owner ceases to be qualified to be a registered owner under section 901.04.
(4) For the purposes of this Division, an owner has legal custody and control of a remotely piloted aircraft when the owner has complete responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the remotely piloted aircraft system of which the aircraft is an element.

CARS document link : https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-96-433/FullText.html#s-901.01

[sihinch]

What an absolute load of b&$@€%#> to have to do this!

Not aimed at TEMAC.

[davidk]

If we could keep this thread just for info I feel that would be better.  Sorry.  Start another thread and I'll join in.

Post questions about RPAS, procedures, etc. and I'll post answers.

[GuyOReilly]

Thank you @davidk for this post and great information.
As we all know that drones and model airplanes are different; what would be a typical model airplane maintenance?
The example provided of changing a propeller is akin to changing a wing on a non-rotary aircraft.
It would be nice to have an understanding of the definition(s) that are sorely lacking from Transport Canada of what constitutes "maintenance".
For "real" certified aircrafts, there is Section 625.85 Maintenance Release and Elementary Work:
(1) Pursuant to subsection 605.85(4) of the CARs, no maintenance release is required in respect of the tasks identified as elementary work in Appendix A of this standard.

Appendix A defines very clearly what is elementary work, see https://tc.canada.ca/en/corporate-services/acts-regulations/list-regulations/canadian-aviation-regulations-sor-96-433/standards/standard-625-aircraft-equipment-maintenance-standard/standard-625-appendix-elementary-work-canadian-aviation-regulations-cars

What would constitute a maintenance worthy of a log entry; would a patch for a tear in covering qualify?  How about doing quick field repair with a bit of epoxy for a loose landing gear or fin?

Would it be desirable to set a standard?  Minor for one guy could be viewed as a major repair by someone else.
In my experiençe in dealing with regulators, "commen sense" is not a reliable baseline to determine if an entry is needed or not.

Thank you.

[GuyOReilly]

Transport Canada issued a consultation paper on revising the RPAS rules and regulations, published June 24, 2023.
Here is a link: https://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2023/2023-06-24/html/reg6-eng.html

Of course MAAC will be hard at work on our behalf to provide comments on this consultation paper.
Have a great day!
Guy