Drone Basic Exam (RPAS): Altitude, distances and where you can fly

All 14 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

1. How far from the centre of a certified heliport must a basic operation stay?

   1. At least 1 NM
   2. At least 3 NM
   3. At least 0.5 NM
   4. At least 5 NM

2. Can you take off and land your drone in a national park?

   1. Yes, from any parking lot inside the park
   2. Yes, but only outside the main summer season
   3. Not without permission from the park superintendent
   4. Yes, if you hold at least a basic pilot certificate

3. Can a basic pilot fly 120 m straight above a picnic, since the drone is far away vertically?

   1. Yes, if the people at the picnic are told before the flight
   2. No, the 30 m is horizontal and applies at any altitude
   3. Yes, because the drone is more than 30 m from everyone there
   4. Yes, as long as the drone stays below 400 ft above the ground

4. How does the 30 m rule treat people inside cars or buildings?

   1. They count double, so keep at least 60 m away from them
   2. They are counted only when the car windows are open
   3. They are counted only when the vehicle is moving
   4. They are not counted, but you must still fly safely

5. A marathon has no fences. Where does Transport Canada consider its boundary to be?

   1. 100 ft from the runners and from the course
   2. 30 ft from the runners and from the course
   3. Wherever the race organizer chooses to say
   4. 500 ft from the start and finish lines only

6. How close to the centre of a certified airport may a basic pilot fly?

   1. No closer than 1 NM (1.9 km)
   2. No closer than 5 NM (9.3 km)
   3. No closer than 10 NM (18.5 km)
   4. No closer than 3 NM (5.6 km)

7. In uncontrolled airspace, what is the normal maximum altitude for a drone?

   1. 500 ft (152 m) above ground level
   2. 1,000 ft (305 m) above sea level
   3. 400 ft (122 m) above ground level
   4. 300 ft (90 m) above ground level

8. A walker enters the 30 m zone around your drone. What is a correct response?

   1. Ask the walker to leave, then carry on wherever they stand
   2. Reroute, hold over a clear area or land
   3. Climb above 100 ft, which restores the distance automatically
   4. Keep flying, since the walker chose to come closer to you

9. You inspect a 450 ft tower and stay within 50 ft of it horizontally. What is your height limit?

   1. 50 ft above the top of the tower
   2. 100 ft above the top of the tower
   3. 200 ft above the top of the tower
   4. 400 ft above the ground, with no exception

10. In basic operations, how far must a small drone stay from people not involved in the flight?

    1. At least 150 m (500 ft) horizontally
    2. At least 15 m (50 ft) horizontally
    3. At least 30 m (100 ft) horizontally
    4. At least 5 m (16.4 ft) horizontally

11. Police have taped off a crash scene. May you fly your drone over it to film?

    1. No, unless you work for the authority that set it
    2. Yes, if you keep 30 m away from all emergency workers
    3. Yes, if the police officer at the tape says it is fine
    4. Yes, if you stay above 400 ft above the ground the whole time

12. You want to film a public outdoor music festival with your drone. What do you need?

    1. Nothing, if you stay at least 30 m away from every spectator
    2. The organizer's written permission and a basic pilot certificate
    3. An advanced certificate and a drone with a 922.05 declaration
    4. A special flight operations certificate (SFOC—RPAS) for the event

13. You want to fly 2 NM from a military aerodrome in uncontrolled airspace. What do you need?

    1. Nothing, since the 3 NM rule covers civil airports only
    2. Authorization from the Department of National Defence
    3. A phone call to the closest civilian airport
    4. Only a basic certificate and a check of the NOTAMs

14. Who counts as involved in the operation, so the 30 m rule does not apply to them?

    1. People watching from a public sidewalk next to the property line
    2. Workers briefed on the drone hazard who can choose to leave the site
    3. Any adult who has seen the drone and has not asked you to stop
    4. Anyone standing at least 15 m behind the pilot and the controller