Drone Basic Exam (RPAS): General operating and flight rules

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. Which drone is not allowed under Part IX?

   1. One flying a pre-programmed route while the pilot monitors
   2. One designed so that the pilot cannot intervene in the flight
   3. One that holds its position using GPS when sticks are released
   4. One with an automatic return-to-home when the link is lost

2. A hot-air balloon drifts toward the area where your drone is flying. Who must give way?

   1. The balloon, because drones cannot climb out of the way
   2. Whichever aircraft has the other on its right side
   3. You, because drones give way to all other aircraft
   4. Whichever aircraft is lower at that moment

3. Which situation must your written emergency procedures cover?

   1. Loss of the command and control link
   2. A delay in delivering photos to the client
   3. A complaint from a neighbour about noise
   4. A change in the weather forecast for tomorrow

4. Without an SFOC, how many drones may one pilot fly at once from a single control station in VLOS?

   1. Up to three, with one observer for each
   2. Up to five, if the system is built for it
   3. Only one at a time, in every case
   4. Up to ten, if all of them stay under 400 ft

5. In basic operations, who must keep the drone in visual line-of-sight?

   1. Nobody, as long as GPS return-to-home is turned on
   2. The pilot or a visual observer, throughout the flight
   3. The pilot, but only during the take-off and landing phases
   4. Anyone nearby who is watching the live video feed

6. You want to film a car rally from a moving pickup truck. What does the rule say?

   1. You may drive if speed stays under 30 km/h
   2. You may drive on private roads only
   3. Someone else must drive while you fly
   4. You may drive if the drone is in follow-me mode

7. Does looking down at your screen for two seconds to change a camera setting break VLOS?

   1. Yes, any glance away is a loss of VLOS by law
   2. Yes, unless a visual observer has a second screen
   3. No, brief glances for flight tasks are allowed
   4. No, as long as the drone is set to hover mode

8. A helicopter appears and is heading toward your drone. What is usually the fastest way to resolve the conflict?

   1. Fly toward the helicopter to pass it quickly
   2. Climb as fast as the drone allows
   3. Hover in place so the helicopter sees it
   4. Quickly lower the drone's altitude

9. What does a basic pilot need to fly a drone at night?

   1. A visual observer with binoculars at a second site
   2. An SFOC from Transport Canada for each night flight
   3. Lights on the drone that keep it visible, switched on
   4. A special night rating added to the pilot certificate

10. May you fit an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) to your drone so you can find it after a crash?

    1. Yes, if it stays switched off until the drone is lost
    2. Yes, if you register the ELT with search and rescue first
    3. Yes, ELTs are required on drones heavier than 1 kg
    4. No, ELTs are banned on drones; other trackers are fine

11. You want to fly using first-person view goggles. What must you have?

    1. A signed approval letter from a drone flight school
    2. A visual observer watching the surrounding airspace
    3. A drone with a second camera facing backward
    4. A second pilot holding a matching controller

12. Which rule applies when you use a visual observer?

    1. One observer may watch up to five drones in a basic flight
    2. The observer may also drive the vehicle you launch from
    3. The observer must hold an advanced pilot certificate
    4. You and the observer must keep reliable, timely communication

13. Which aid may you use to keep visual line-of-sight with your drone?

    1. A pair of binoculars for distant moments
    2. Your normal prescription glasses
    3. A small spotting scope held by a friend
    4. A camera with a zoom lens on a tripod

14. In aviation, when does night begin in the evening?

    1. At the end of evening civil twilight
    2. Exactly one hour after official sunset
    3. When street lights come on in the area
    4. At the moment of official sunset